What is a primary characteristic of a straight razor compared to safety razors?

A primary characteristic of a straight razor is that it has a blade that can be sharpened and extended manually. This feature is crucial because straight razors are designed for longevity and can be maintained through honing and stropping, allowing barbers to keep the edge sharp as needed. This manual sharpening process distinguishes straight razors from safety razors, which typically use replaceable, disposable blades. The ability to control the sharpness and maintenance of the blade is essential for achieving the desired precision and quality of a shave, showcasing the skill involved in using a straight razor effectively. Moreover, the design of straight razors requires barbers to develop a certain technique for handling them, adding to their professional use in barbering compared to safety razors.