Quote Originally Posted by mparker762 View Post
There have been discussions on this phenomenon on the DE forums as well, with the DE guys noticing the same affect with their DE shaves compared to their M3 shaves. I've noticed this with my straight shaves compared to my DE shaves as well. I'd bet it's just better prep, though. You can get some amazing shaves with an M3 if you prep your face like you do for your straight.
Doubtless it's true about prep. But razor burn is only part of Josh's theory as I understand it. The other part has to do with the nature of the stubble that comes up after a Mach 3 shave. In my experience it is definitely sharper to the touch. And I'm thinking that may have to do with the ingrown hairs, itching, etc. that I used to get 8-10 hours after an M3 shave that had felt very close and comfortable at the time, and had indeed left nothing I'd describe as razor burn.

But maybe I'm misunderstanding you, mparker, maybe you're not talking about razor burn per se, but saying rather that good prep before an M3 shave would make the hairs stand straight up so you wouldn't get that angled cutting Josh was talking about, which is what produces "sharp" stubble later in the day...