Some time back I was somewhere on the net where a guy got a convex edge so sharp that he was actually splitting hairs lengthwise!

I wouldn't trust myself with that.

Sharpening straight razors is easier than it would seem. There spine acts as a jig for a perfect angle each time. Once you learn the rolling motion and proper strokes, you are golden. Use the right stones and strop and hair almost jumps off your face.

Hair is actually a very hard material to cut.

Watch this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ib5pO7qogpI

YUP, being able to just rest the back on the stone helps A LOT. Took me a while to learn that it ain't like sharpening a knife, LIGHT strokes and roll over the SPINE not toward the edge.

Would like to get a razor setup like JJ's someday. Just gotta slow down on knives and stuff.

Are all Marines as cool as you JJ?

A good razors is about $100 for a simple but high quality steel. But, then you need a few stones, strop, brush, soap, etc etc. I think I have invested about $350.

At about $25 for three Mach 3 refill blades (what I was using) I have surpassed that in economic frugal.

LOL.

Most of the ones I hangout with. The rest are way to brainwashed for me.

I haven't met any of the bad ones at this command yet. We are a bunch of gun, knife, anything that explodes and beer freaks.

Spider Pig, Private Klink, Monkey Bomb, 45sf and the rest of them here seem pretty cool to me.

My kind of folk!