I've been shaving with a straight since last August, and my shaves started becoming really smooth a few months ago. It was just like one day BAM! Smoothest I've ever been, no nicks, no cuts, no irritation, and no red spots. After that it was all smooth, but sometimes I'd get irritation and my beard area always became red, but I figured out it was the post shave regimen that needed fixing. So now it's BBS, no cuts, no nicks, no red beard area, no irritation. Now all I need to do is shave down on my shaving time. From the time I start lathering in my bowl to when I finish splashing water on myself is about 45 minutes. Not sure what the actual shave time is from the moment the steel touches the grill to when I put the razor down for good.