The DE is a great idea, I bought one when I began a year ago. There are days when one is a hurry, and it's best not to use the straight. Not leaving the straight touching the skin because your hand may involuntarily move and you get cut like I did. And buy a razor from a vendor that sells them honed. I bought my first straight razor from SRD a Dovo Best Quality 5/8 half hollow, messed it up with bad stropping but with the 8000 Norton brought it back to life. For a long time while I learned I alternated between the straight, a Parker shavette, and the DE. I used to shave one or two days with the straight per week, now the straight is the norm and only when in a hurry I pick up the DE. Also a DE can help if you start with the straight and some situation pops up that you have to hurry. This is really a great thread. I've learned a lot.