Just like with a traditional straight (I suppose, as I've never used one), there is a real learning curve with the Feather. I got good shave right away, being very careful about pressure, but now I get good shaves all the time, and I use pressure in some places and none in others, and I've learned that I can increase blade angle in some places, too. For me, the biggest part of the learning curve was over in about a month, and the blade angle thing took a bit longer.

Now, I routinely do a full three-pass shave, and don't feel like I need a post-shave treatment beyond witch hazel (but I still use one, mostly out of habit).

Maybe some day I'll venture to the traditional blades, but I'm real satisfied right now. When and if I do pick it up, maybe I'll be better able to recognize an insufficiently sharp blade.