Item safely received, thanks Nishy.
Some early thoughts below
PLUS a question for you fellas.
I suspect I could go on a bit, even at this early stage. So forgiveness is granted to those who don't have the patience and choose to move on - or simply become comatose and find their head resting on the keyboard hoping death comes soon.
Prior to receipt I hadn't shaved for three days in order to have a substantial growth. It has to be said that this extra growth MIGHT have something to do with the results. I haven't left three days growth in place for a very long time.
Usual OCD, exagerated, level of preparation.
New Polsilver SI.
OSP Sandalwood / spot of glycerine / St James cream and Palmolive cream all mixed up in the OSP tub and face lathered. (Superb!!!).
Remember there was 3 days growth...this might have made a big difference but but compared to the AS-D2 this felt a LOT more purposeful. I don't know how much this is due to the increased gap specified by Martin. Someone help me out with that point.
Both sides of the razor (open and closed) immediately felt utterly delightful and it was easy to distinguish between open and closed sides BUT both honestly felt as though they were super efficient AND, at the same time super smooth...the OC did have a bit more bite and did leave those distinctive "open comb" lines of soap and may have cut a tiny bit closer but the closed side was supremely smooth and efficient.
At this early stage I would say that - with the benefit of hindsight - and based only on one shave - and don't forget the 3 days growth..... that I would use this one razor over and above every other razor I own. Including th the AS-D2 and the ATT S2 and the Standard Razor.
The handle is obviously absolutely beautifully engineered...it felt like carressing a pearly, silky, sensually erotic................
...........OK, I'll stop there before I get too excited, but it is a thing of beauty indeed. However, after just one use I would say I prefer a bit more knurling along the length of the handle to aid grip. It's not a biggy and I would happily live with it but extra grip would suit be better.
I honestly, genuinely loved using this thing today. I would buy it in an instant. If it was immediately available online in the UK there would be an order in place as we speak. But it isn't. And you have to wait for ages just to get on the waiting list
Finally, one question. How should you use a double sided razor such as this to get the best out of it? Should you do a complete first pass with the grain with the OC side, then do subsequent passes with the SB. Or vice versa? Presumably most blokes will want to use both sides of the razor during a typical shave otherwise they wouldn't have bought a double sided razor such as this? In fact...why DO blokes buy a double sided razor? Why not just decide they like open, and buy a OC razor....or decide they prefer closed and buy a SB razor?
To summarise. Early days but I love this thing.
I've now moved from Devon to the Galapagos Islands and am settling in just fine. The water is nice and soft, so ideal for shaving. Regrettably I just missed the post collection from the islands so can't forward it on until the next collection - in two years time - but it'll give me a good opportunity to test the razor fully.