This straight razor is my first attempt at using a straight razor, so I want to be completely honest and say I have nothing to compare this to. I have shaved with it about a dozen times now and yes it works! I have been shaving with a DE razor for a year and I have to say the straight razor shave is not as close as the DE shave, and not as smooth. I have gone slow, watched several videos and have cut and nicked myself a few times but getting better. I joked one time that my sink looked like a Civil War surgeon's table! I have had a few veteran straight razor shavers tell me to invest more $ for a Dovo or Ralf Aust straight razor and the shave would feel much smoother and closer. But I have also been told to become proficient at straight razor shaving it takes about 100 shaves so you have to count in the beginner factor as well. If I do purchase one of those (I probably will) and am allowed to edit my review I will do so to compare with something else. At this point I can't say don't waste your money on this and go right to a more expensive straight razor, nor can I say you really need to start here! I will say that I like having an inexpensive option to give straight razor shaving a go and this is exactly that and allows me to learn a little about it and make a more educated guess to keep going. So I want to thank Razor Emporium for that option! I think I have already been afflicted with R.A.D. (Razor Acquisition Disorder) since starting DE shaving and I think it is just going to continue through with straight razor shaving as well! I would definitely say if you are eager to try straight razor shaving but don't have the money for the more expensive razors then by all means give this a try!!