If a Mach 3 is your game, then that's your option, of course. However, I have to admit, that I have only been at it with a straight for only a few months now, and I love it. Sure it's more work and might be a bit on the pricey side when just getting started, but when your paying up to $30.00 or more for just a few blades, that might last for only a few shaves, then the striaght will eventually be cheaper in the long run. Also, I've now turned, what use to be a mundane task of shaving every morning, into a work of art. Straight razor shaving is an art that not everyone enjoys or can master. I'm not a master yet, but I'm working on it and enjoying the ride at the same time.