Is there any benefit, ease vs. performance to using a true straight, STR8 razor as opposed to one that is curved?
I don't know if I'd call it a benefit, but I do enjoy using blades with a slight smile (see top blade below). For me, it feels more natural in the shaving motion to wield a blade with a smile than one completely straight. Blades with more expansive smiles (see bottom image) can be more challenging to use due to the broad belly.
My French Pradat Brun Theirs 6/8th Frame Back & this Russian 5/8th Like a Few Others I Own have a Slight Curved or Smiling Blade..I Like them as they Seem a Tad More Manoeuvrable..To Me Anyway.. Billy..
Biggest advantages come when using a smily around the neck etc....they shave very different than a straight. I have slight smiles to huge ones and i find the bigger the smile the less face contact so on flat surfaces like a cheek they are hard to use. Overall i think a slight smile shaves the best for everyday use but anytime the blade curves it gets harder to hone....YMMV
If you read the old Barber's manuals you will find Honing instructions to actually hone a razor "Toward" a smile.. Honing Toward a smile prevents you from getting a Frowning edge also One of my favorite saying's is "A Razor that smiles makes for a happy face",, It will also help the razor to "Slice" through the hair rather than chop and pull the hair, aka it helps create a natural Scything stroke, regardless if you know how to do a Scything stroke If the edge is "slicing the hair" it makes for a longer lasting edge and a more comfortable shave.. Keep in mind none of this info is my opinion, it is all found buried in the barber's manuals over the last 300 years
Whether smiling or straight I still get a great shave. I do prefer a slight smile, as mentioned already it's much easier on the neck area.
I agree, the smiling blades are easier on the neck area, but that's the only advantage I've seen. I have several straight blades that are favorites, and a couple smiling blades that are among my favorites. It all depends on the razor.
