The benefits of better razors as you get better technique??

So I'm really starting to feel good about my abilities now and am fully convinced that straights are the way for me (no ingrown hairs for 3 months? That's amazing after years of fighting that). I can get an awesome shave with 1 pass (with grain) on my face and 2 on the neck (one with, one against). With Razorfeld's help and with the awesome services of SRD, I've now tried 3 straights (9/16, 5/8, 6/8) along with my Parker shavette. Question now is... I see straights ranging anywhere from $5 to $1500. How much of a difference does an "expensive" straight make once you start getting your technique down? Would I really get a much better shave with a $500 razor vs a $100 razor, or is it really more about things like stropping/honing and over all technique/care?

At this point, the shave I'm getting is about as good as I can imagine. Just wondering if a better quality razor would either make things faster... or really, what is the benefit of the very expensive straights outside of looking cool?

A $50 Quality razor will shave just as good as a $1500 razor,Plain and simple.

I have two new modern razors $89 -$140 and they shave great. I also have a group of vintage razors ranging from $15 - $30 that shave just as well. So don't know what to tell you.

In my opinion any quality razor should give a smooth shave. The differing costs, from what I have seen are more due to esthetics than anything else.

Glad to hear all going well for you,
I believe the only true difference in any blade to the shave is the actual cutting edge.
The rest is just bling and/or nostalgia as far as I know ( supply & demand price hiking)
Some of the old Steels feel smoother or were from better quality steels
But I am sure the more experienced members may be able to add more info on this for you.

But at the end of the day a gold dollar will shave as good as a $2000 custom as long as it is honed right

Most of the difference in the very high end razors is that either they are very rare, or have very fancy scales, engraving, or other ornamentation. With only a few exceptions (i.e., Damascus) the steel is very similar in all quality modern razors (Dovo, R. Aust, Boker, TI, etc.) You can look at a $400 Dovo or a $100 Dovo and you'll be able literally to see the differences, which have no impact on how they shave, IMO.

Ian, cost is what the buyer is willing to pay, for what ever reasons they privately hold. While it would be nice to own some of the beauties going for upward of $200+ because they are good to look at as well as shave with they are beyond my financial state. Of the razors that I prize for their shaves are several C-Mons, my most expensive, each about $140. A gift of a Gotta and a William Rodgers Express and numerous known and lesser known names gotten off of eBay (with disasters sprinkled liberally among them). I would say the average cost per razor is about $45. Also, if the razor and I aren't happy together then I put them on the auction block and keep looking. I could stop acquiring any more razors at this point and be content, but where is the fun in that?

So glad to hear you all saying this!!! Like I said, I'm getting great shaves... but wanted to be sure that I wasn't "missing out" on something. So at this point I can just enjoy myself and pick up additional razors for aesthetics/fun - which is what I was hoping for!

A lot of it is psychological. Many will tell you after you detail your car it simply runs better.

Many will drop a grand for a fancy razor and will insist it shaves better and makes them feel good about it. However in the end a quality razor is just that whether it's a custom job or a refurbished and restored piece from the 1800s.