Been there, done that

I agree with you totally, and used my straight razor as my daily shaver for a long time. But eventually technology won out and the razor now sits in the drawer and my Mach3 gets the daily ritual. Straight razors require weekly stoning, and constant strapping, often 2 to 3 strapping during one shave. Plus the shave is not as good as with a Mach3, which is why barbers usually shave you twice with the straight razor.

It is nice to know that you have the knowledge and technique to be able to use a straight razor. It only takes a little practice to become efficient, but you do suffer some minor cuts along the learning curve. What I do now is my local old fashioned barber once a month and let him shave me. He throws in a Noxzema rub to start, then two hot cream shaves, a hot towel soak, and some smelly lavendar aftershave, all for $5. Can't beat that. Trouble is finding these old timers.