You definitely need a DE. I felt like a traitor when I used on after taking The Vow, but I now feel it's 'valid'.

I generally use a DE on Saturdays, using a straight other days. I chose Saturday because that's when I normally do manly stuff like mowing lawns. My dad used to use a DE and lawn mowing on Saturdays and shaving in the afternoon and the smell of Old Spice (though I don't use Old Spice) always reminds me of childhood days. I find shaving with a DE very easy; certainly not as challenging or interesting as with a straight, yet I do like it.

I only have one DE, a Mühle R 89. It's very forgiving and excellent with Astra blades. I normally use a cream with the DE rather than a soap.

I also find it's so manoeuvrable I can actually get a better shave with a DE than with a straight; at least for the short term. I can get up against every single hair absolutely fully against the grain; and I can't do that with a straight on my neck. The smoothness doesn't last as LONG as with a straight, but initially it's smoother.