Sigh so many wackers, so little time (and money)
Speckey! Thank you! - I lose hours on the German site. The Antik still calls me. Pay no attention to the screams coming from my wallet.
Maxi, each time I look at that razor, it impresses me. No wonder you keep looking at it. I think you'll be glad you touch up the finish, and keeping the smoothness from using a Coti makes all kinds of sense. 'Being still in my learning phase w/ stones, and limited to the humble chinese brick, I've loved working w/ various slurry methods, finding the smoothness a joy. I've liked it enough to refinish the wedge. That transformed it from 'wicked sharp, but use with great care' to 'happy whisker wiping with relaxed joy'.
I smiled when you mentioned trepidation about the size. I got the big hollow 15/16 just as I was getting over my issues with flexible hollows. John said he found that 7/8 and taller were stiff enough that it wouldn't be an issue. I found he was right, though I hear some Filis in that size are still pretty flexible. The big hollow has been a joy. 'Virtually a vegan blade with no appetite for face. 'Strictly stubble diet. So many of the very experienced guys say they went through their large blade phase, and settled back to 5/8 - 6/8. I'm mostly 6/8 now, but find the big blade just a joy.