To begin, I ordered the set on Labor Day, so I was able to use a coupon code e-mailed to me and save around $25 (👍👍 for that, always good to save $).
As for the razor, this is the first true straight razor I have ever used, although I have been using a shavette since the beginning of the year. The best way I can describe my first shave with it is—a different sensation. To be honest, my first shave did not impress me, but in all fairness I also did not use the chrom.ox bar on the strop either. After that I did use it, and between that and getting used to the whole technique, I’m liking it a lot better. As of this writing I’ve used the razor 4 times (I don’t have a super heavy beard so I only shave on average twice a week)
Final analysis: since I had never used a straight razor before, I had no experience to compare it to, so I can’t honestly say if it is any better or worse than any other razor out there. All I can say is that I’m satisfied with everything that came in this set, as well as everything else I have ordered from Shave Nation. By the way, as I mentioned, I ordered it on Labor Day, which meant no mail delivery that day, I received it that Thursday. Not bad...