I thought I'd throw in my lot.

I'm three months into using a SR, and over that period I have gradually moved from exclusive use of cartridge razors, while slowly weaning myself, into the exclusive use of a SR. My razor is not a very good one yet, but I will say that for me there is not going to be a return to a cartridge in the foreseeable future (barring onset of Parkinson's, or something).

To answer the original question: it is my view that a cartridge is the least aggressive shaver one can use, and the straight - while coming with a steep learning curve - results in a more pleasant shave from beginning to end. However, the morning ritual I have developed with the exclusive use of the SR is up to a solid hour out of the morning, but I'm totally okay with that.

Rich