I've been shaving with a straight razor for approx. 2 weeks. Tonight I had my best shave, it was the first shave that I did 2 1/2 passes and came away with a very close shave no nicks and I didn't finish up with one of my DE's. A very nice feeling. I was getting concerned that my progress was so slow, but tonight everything [for the most part] seemed to fall into place. BTW the razor I used tonight was a nice Ebay razor I honed myself.