Softer beard after straight shaving?

Thanks to a tooth infection and swollen chin I haven't shaved for several days now and am sporting a bit of a beard. This is the first real bit of face tickler I've grown since starting straight shaving. That won't surprise many of you...

Normally my better half doesn't go for these as the are 'scratchy' and 'irritating', but this time things are looking up. My beard is apparently 'softer' and 'smoother'. I'm thinking the hair hasn't changed and it is probably the cut angle on the hair tip causing the effect? Maybe my post shave treatment, which is a pretty simple Alum block, rinse and bay rum affair? Could be the WTG/ATG routine I've managed so far rounds off the hair tip a little?

What do you think? Has anyone else noted a beard softness change since starting straight shaving?

We're talking strictly theoretically here, but I do believe you're correct about the angle of the cut (cutthroat vs DE) being responsible for the feeling afterwards. If I use a DE I find not only that my face is itchier but my whiskers feel a bit sharper too. JMHO, of course.

I haven't noticed anything like this, but the texture of my beard do not draw much of my attention.