I've not shaved with my db for at least a year. I have purchased in the last couple of years vintage shave ready razors/ factory brand new razors and all the honing stones paddles and strops . I had my first shave this morning with my db and it was smooth effortless and extremly close bearing in mind i shave my clients on a daily bases with a imitatation straight for hygene reasons and get very good and close shaves. My technique with straight is very good my partner is now 77 years old and he shaved is clients in my barbers shop before me with his dad fot at least 50 years. We both agreed that the db is a far better shave than a traditional straight razor in how opinion and the straight razor is a thing of the past all though it's nice to be able to shave with one and i still will now and again seeing as i have 11 razors it would be a shame not to any one agree on this or had simalar experiance?