This was my first foray into DE shaving and I purchased this razor after doing a fair amount of research. Overall, this is a good first razor. It is well balanced and easy to grip even with wet, soapy hands. The quality of the shave is very good, not too aggressive or too mild. I do find that have to pay close attention to my technique however, which is not necessarily a bad thing. The biggest drawback is the blade replacement. The blades tend to stick on the posts a little bit and they can be a little tricky to get off. But this is probably true of most three piece razors. Overall, I would recommend this razor for anyone who is starting out.