bought my first folding straight razor......

I bought my first folding straight razor - an 11/16 "Barber's Favorite" No 411 ERN Wald - Soingen, marked with ERN on front and Crown and Sword logo on back of tine. Visually, it appears to be in good shape and only lightly used. Vendor is a huge buyer and reseller on EBay, but the price seemed okay to me. Pictures and description can be seen here:

Antique Straight Razor 11/16 "Barbers Favorite" No 411 ERN Wald ~ Solingen | eBay

my research here and elsewhere suggested these are good razors and shave well. Any comments on how ERN "crown and sword" razors shave appreciated. Thanks......

I think it was good choice. The Ern one of the best Solingen razor. I very-very like my 4/8" Ern straight. After an excellent honing, I think, it will be one of your favorite...

Hey, Robin.

Ern is excellent, 'just finished a crown & sword and another numbered hollow. I don't know the models that well. The crown & sword I did appeared to be a 1/4 hollow, which is VERY friendly. 'A wonderful shaver owned by a serviceman overseas.

I don't know the seller. Maybe its shave ready - many are not. The recommendation to buy from a member who uses one daily is good advice to listen to. If its not shave ready, send to one of the pros. Many others can hone, but by going to a known pro, you won't have any nagging doubt about the state of the edge.

Best of luck w/ your journey. Spend the time and effort to learn to shave, lather, strop, and you'll get the best shaves of your life, and the annoying chore will become an indulgent event. Enjoy.

Gongrats whit your nice buy. Ern are good razors, i have a few Ern razors they gives a good shave.
Hope its shave ready. if not do what Pinklather says.Let it don by a pro.
enyoy

I have one Ern in my rotation and I like it very much. Good choice.

It certainly looks like a very good razor, Erns are typically excellent German shavers. BUT -- I have no reason to believe it's ready to shave with. I'm pretty sure that if the seller had the capacity to make it shave-ready he would have done so and stated such. Do yourself a favor, send it out for proper honing.. This will last you many years,

Thanks to everyone for your helpful comments.
cheers,
Robin