Welcome !. I am an old guy that shaved with DEs forty five years ago until the disposables came out. Just got back into DEs a year and a half ago. Now I have jumped into straights with both feet and haven't looked back.

My first few weeks shaving with a straight I kept a DE loaded and ready on the sink just in case. I needed it to do my chin and mustache in the beginning but eventually got to where I have no need for it and I have been doing complete two pass shaves with a straight for the last four weeks or so.

Shaving with the straight gives me much more involvement with the ritual. The honing and stropping and the sense of achievement in taking a dull vintage razor and bringing it back to shave quality sharpness.

I got lucky in that I have a forum member who is expert in honing that lives near me and was kind enough to invite me over and show me first hand how to hone and strop properly. I highly recommend Lynn's DVD which has also been a big help and of course the great info here on the forum.