One of the obvious advantages of using vintage straight razors is that you will be re-using them. The practice of refurbishing second-hands or using products manufactured in the past is entirely in line with the need for people to go green and lessen the pollution caused by manufacturing new products. Another environment-friendly quality of straight razors is that they are not disposable objects and won't add up to the already overwhelming quantities of waste in our century. Eventually too this can add up to some savings off your disposables.
But besides consciousness about the environment, vintage long razors make for a clean shave comparable to the fine performance of some of today's more expensive new long razors. The reason behind this is that it cost less in the past to forge good quality razors. In other words you have all the performance and durability of current high end razors with the pricing of several years ago. Vintage straight razors cost anything from $20 to $50, while current straight razor manufacturers are selling their wares for about $200 at the low end up to $30,000, the price of the world's most expensive straight razor.
Naturally you will need a little practice to prevent cutting yourself with vintage straight razors, but the time you spend acquiring a steady pulse and a light touch when shaving will add up to savings on disposable razor blades and plastic shavers. When you do acquire the skill to use it, you will discover that straight razors are capable of a cleaner shave, using fewer strokes. You will not have difficulty either with cleaning the razor blade. Just make sure you clean it with oil and wrap it in oiled cloth to prevent rusting.
Another thing you need to learn how to do is sharpening the straight razor. You need to hone the blade at a constant angle on a honing block if it is really dulled, and maintain sharpness by passing it back and forth repeatedly over a wide leather strap, for which purpose you may use an old leather belt, fastened on one end to the wall. This technique is called stropping. You can purchase honing blocks at the hardware. Be sure to get one that is made for vintage straight razors, because honing blocks come in different grades of roughness. There are instructions as well as videos on the web for honing and stropping razors. All it takes is constant and careful practice for a few days and you will be using and maintaining your straight razor like pro.
The first time you buy a vintage straight razor, be sure to ask them if it is shave-ready. That way you won't have to wait until you learn to sharpen straight razors before you use it. Whichever way you look at it, the vintage straight razor is a good investment with a great resell value and itt really makes good sense to shave with a vintage straight razor. No wonder sales for this item are on a constant upswing.