As a DE shaving fanatic, this is absolutely the top of the line. I've shaved with a half-dozen blade razors, I've used a ton of brushes and soaps, and I've settled into a routine over the years. It was finally time to step up to my "forever" razor, and this is definitely it. Note to newbies: Don't be scared! Wet shaving isn't that scary. You can find a ton of videos online, and a good starter razor (such as cheaper razors in the Merkur line) can be gotten for a fraction of this price if you'd prefer to learn before you jump in here.