Like most of us I made a bid on a good looking razor and then thought nothing of if it until I had a message that 'you have won this bid', so I paid, and then it it turned up this morning.

The scales are the thinnest, most delicate I've ever come across - peened without washers, no cracks and the blade sits so high that it looks unnatural until you consider that no-one would do this on purpose, therefore it must have been intended.

The make is Moseley & Son - it's a full wedge about 5/8" and probably from a seven day set -althought there is no day mark - the proportions are superb and I could not stop turning it over in my hands until it occurred to me me what was attracting my attention. It's the smell - a completely natural, elemental smell that, I assume, comes from the carbon.

There's a little bit of rust around the pivot but it seems completely wrong to even consider removing the pin and cleaning it - the blade was made with a smile so, I think I'll just try and hone it and do nothing else, and see how it turns out.

If this post gets any response, I might even consider posting some pictures. In the meantime I'm happy just smelling.