Agreed. Rest for a few. I had to this week myself.

I've been shaving with a shavette style for just over a month now (I use a Parker SRW). I've experimented with three different brands of blades...Shark, Derby, and 7AM double edge (breaking in half to use).

I'm really sold on this style of shaving, but I had a few nicks that simply needed to heal. It bugged the crap out of me going to work without shaving, but I didn't shave from Monday through Thursday evening. Best decision I could have made. I went back in and took my time shaving with a brand new Derby blade (one of the best blades, from what I've read and they are incredibly sharp in my limited experience with straights). I carefully went over where the nicks had healed with no trouble. I was able to get BBS easier than I ever had before. Even though I love to shave now, I will have to remember to let things heal up occasionally.

Also...for what it's worth...I personally have no plans to switch to a "regular" straight from my Parker SRW. I'm not patient enough to strop and hone, and too cheap to buy a quality "real" straight. However, I get much, much better shaves with the Parker.

Honestly, I got into this to save money as I was tired to paying Gillette's prices on their cartridges and I gave up on using an electric years back (although I still have that old Remington in the drawer around here somewhere). I got my Parker and two boxes of refills for under $30.

Best of luck!

Goatee.