yohimnbe2,

I'm with you so far as that a straight cannot replace a Mach 3. A DE certainly can, especially with the right technique and/or the right tool. I have an EJ89l and there was no learning curve for me with that at all. However, I had been shaving with a straight for some time and had some exposure to DEs after that, so I knew how pressure could really cut you, even with a DE.

If you have a tough beard, you're going to have a tougher time on the "straight road", as it were. I made the mistake of thinking a straight would replace my cartridge. Well, it did, but not for the reason I thought it would. I figured a straight would be cheaper than a cartridge. Well, that blew up in my face big time with all the things I've purchased and what's on my wish list for now. Had I purchased my DE first, who knows, it might have stopped somewhere around there, maybe dabbling in soaps and creams and possibly scuttles.

So for that, I'm glad I made the mistake of thinking a straight would replace a cartridge straight up, because now it has, but for the right reasons. Because I love my straights; I love the act of shaving with my straights; I happen to like stropping and the concept of honing my own blades. This isn't for everyone and it's not for you. Your honesty and candor is refreshing.

To each his own; at least you exposed yourself to something new. How else are you going to realize if it's for you or not?

Good luck. Also, I'm sure there's still a place for you here at SRP. Heck, there's a section just for safety shaving. Personally, I hope to still see you posting on the boards here still.

-Mark