I have been bouncing around alot and I feel like I have settled on a razor that I want from SRD, It's a dovo bismarck 6/8 ebony solingen.

I also normally do not make purchases unless I can see and feel it first, and I have had a VERY hard time finding a retail outlet in the south Denver suburbs. In fact, the only place I have found is in the mall.

the last time I visited I asked the lady who worked there what type of leather the strops they sold were and she didn't have an answer, she also did not know who manufactured their straight razors. Since they are branded for the retail store, I don't know who makes them. I wound up walking away.

So I guess my question is has anyone bought from The Art of Shaving retail outlet and if so, how was the hardware? did the blade hold an edge?

Also if you have heard any secondhand stories about them, good or bad I would like to hear before I make up my mind.