Baby steps, but successful ones!
I decided to introduce myself to the world of straight razor shaving via a Feather RG shavette with Pro Guard blades. Not exactly the real thing, but I guess that the techniques are pretty similar. And I didn't want to buy strops and hones until I was convinced that I could do a half decent job.
The razor and blades arrived yesterday, so this morning I watched Lynn Abrams' video for beginners one last time, assembled the Feather plus my trusty Merkur Futur DE, and had a go. I started just with the right sideburn and down to the jawline as recommended, WTG only. Wow! I couldn't resist extending it a little further on the right hand side. Then tried the left, which I know I shouldn't really have done on day 1.
I got out while I was winning and finished with the DE. But all day I've been running my hand over the BBS parts of my face left by the Feather, and chuckling. My wife has accused me of being vain. Vanity isn't a big danger for blokes as ugly as I am, so this was a first. :D
I'm convinced. No DE comes close, even with multiple passes. I'll stick with the Feather for now, and maybe learn to strop properly before moving up to the real thing.