Re: nicks/cuts--I've found that if I keep a little triple anitbiotic ointment on them, they heal really quickly. But I've never let having a nick or a cut keep me from shaving the next day. I think I just usually use a VERY light touch there. Sometimes it opens back up a little bit, sometimes not.

Another poster to this thread asked whether Larry hones razors he doesn't sell. He certainly does, for a really reasonable price, and in my experience has a really quick turn-around time. For my money, ya can't go wrong with that guy!

Hope this helps.