1. It is indeed fastened with bolts.
2. I'll not try to fix the problem myself.
3. I'll see Zephyr in a few weeks at the Oslo Razorcon, so I'll bring it and we'll discuss it then
4. It shaves BEAUTIFULLY! Note that I'm just getting started with straights, but so far the difference from the bog-standard Dovo Schloss-Burg I've been using is night and day. The size is better for my, and the edge is sharper than I can get the Dovo by myself, so I'm using this exclusively for now.

As for the shaving problems, I can't help you since I'm brand new at this, but I would suggest more time holding it and wielding it. It's very light, and slightly off balance due to the plastic scales, so practicing at using it would probably be worth the time.