I got tired of paying for cartridges and the multiblade razors getting clogged with gunk while shaving in the field. I recalled seeing a double edge razor in my grandfather's medicine cabinet about 10 years ago. Though not a straight it led my mind down the different routes other than cartridges. Since I didn't want to pay for cartridges I ruled out the double edge and decided that I would go with a straight, no replacement blades or electricity necessary, plus it can't get clogged. It was also economic after conducting a net present value analysis the initial outlay will pay for itself in about three years...that is, if I don't buy scads of soaps and razors