By straight razor, do you mean the kind that looks like a knife kind of thing, or the old school safety razor kind of thing? I switched to the safety razor earlier this year and haven't looked back. You will cut cut yourself - buy a styptic pencil when you buy your razor. It stops the bleeding quickly, but stings worse than anything I can think of.
My reasons for switching were:
It's cheaper.
Less post-consumer waste.
A VERY close shave - closer than any cartridge shave.
Less chance of ingrown hairs.
I also use shaving soap and a boar brush because:
There is less packaging involved for the soap, therefore there is less post consumer waste than a can of shaving cream.
No harmful CFCs released into the air like what happens when using canned shaving cream.
I can work up better lather with soap and a brush than shaving cream from a can, plus it's warm lather and very soothing.
A cake of soap lasts for months.
Generally speaking , shaving soap is cheaper than shaving cream.
From my research, most makers of shaving soaps do not test their products on companion animals, which is huge in my book. I don't even want to know what Gillette, et al, do when they test their products on companion animals.
I like the vibe of using a brush, a mug, and a cake of soap. It feels more "manly" or something.
Either way, a straight edge or a safety razor is a good choice. Take the plunge, you won't look back.
ks
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