Given the thread title, I'm not sure why I opened it. But I'm glad I did.

First, while everyone has their preferences, IMO none should prepare to talk negatively about someone else's preferred methods. What works for someone works - and what works for us works. Talk the joys of your preferences, and maybe you will make them converts. Talk ill of their preferences, and maybe you will make them annoyed.

Second, and more to the point, I started with a shavette when I stumbled into an Art of Shaving store. I wet shaved for many years until time efficiency drove me to an electric. I went with the shavette package because it was cheaper and less intimidating than the straight razor. If I didn't like the straight edge, I could still use everything else in the package.

After I found this forum I quickly bought a couple straight razors, but haven't used them yet. It's a lot longer blade than the 1/2 DE blade in my shavette, and I'm trying to figure out how to maneuver it around my face - the goatee takes up a good bit of real estate. Appreciate any advice on that...