I've been DE shaving for a couple of years, always with an eye toward straight shaving. The bug finally hit and I bought this circa 1880s Wade and Butcher. Boy do I have a lot to learn! On my first shave, I made the mistake of trying to shave my whole face....I should've listened to Lynn and just shaved tiny segments until I got used to straight shaving. My following shaves I just shaved my cheeks. Tonight I did my whole face with only one cut. I still can't get as close as I could with my DE razors, but I defintly saw a vast improvement of my technique. I used to have a night cap while shaving with my DEs....I wouldn't dare with my W&B! I'd always heard that it takes about 100 shaves to get good at this....didn't believe it till now though. Maybe I'll get it after 150!