I started with a shavette and the angle that I had to hold it was alot different than a straight, but it did help to teach me the pressure I needed to use when shaving and the strokes that I now use for get the shave I am looking for. Also how to hold it comfortably to accomplish everything that I needed to do. They are alot less forgiving than a straight. I paid $15 for the shavette, blades, cheap brush and soap so it was cheaper for me to try that first than to get a new razor and everything else and then find out I didn't like it. Needless to say it didn't take long for me to just get a straight. I still have almost 100 blades that are just sitting around.