Gentlemen,

I think we are swimming in circles here. Without a clear indication of the features the original poster requires, we might as well call this thread "Razor Wars: Return of the Chronik". Because realistically, that is what everybody should get. And who knows, maybe a broken Chronik with cracked scales can be had for USD 250 - if you're lucky, what with it having been tested as the best razor ever by someone who really knows.

You know?

Anyone mentioned Gebrüder Lützenkirchen, by the way? Also known as the holy grail of straight razors, and all that.