I just received this piece yesterday. First I have to say it arrived very quickly. From CA to NY in two days (three from the day it was ordered) is extremely impressive in my opinion. *disclaimer signature was required for me so if you work during the day plan ahead* I only say that because it just required me to pick it up from the PO directly, no big deal. On to the important stuff, I have to say, I couldn't be happier with the scales that came on my particular piece. I uploaded a few pictures because I think they look great. A little white, a little dark in places, beautiful. I was concerned after reading the other reviews saying they weren't exceptionally happy with the color they received, but I figured I would take my chances and have an open mind to the specific scales I got, it's a natural material and therefore is unique to the piece. Wow. I'm glad I did. They are perfect to me and I am 100% happy with the ones I got and in knowing that they are unlike others out there. On to the shave, I wanted to test out the factory edge as it arrived, so I did some light stropping without putting it on a stone and it shaved well (not perfect I should add, but very well). The grind on the blade is 'oh my god, crazy thin behind the edge' status, passing the hanging hair test with flying colors. After the first shave I ran it on my 10k stone and stropped it much more substantially. I am now very optimistic about the edge after just a little touch up, but haven't needed to use it yet because I just shaved yesterday. The gold plating is a beautiful touch, realistically I understand it's going to chip off a bit over the years, but honestly I'm ok with that. Adds character. Final conclusion is that this is an amazing piece. Beautiful to the eye (or at least it is to me), a clearly amazing work of craftsmanship from dovo by skilled grinders/makers who know how to make an attractive, functional tool for long term use. I pondered the purchase for a while because, well, it's a lot of money. I put aside a bit here and there and I pulled the trigger on it. I am now very proud to own it and kudos to dovo for manufacturing a razor at this caliber and also to Royal Shave for getting it to me so quickly.