I've always been skeptical about the efficacy of a straight razor shave, having tried it (both myself and with a barber) in the past. I don't see any mechanical reason why it would even be as good as a disposable shave, never mind better. I suspect that we get a better experience going to the barber than shaving at home
a) because barbers use better brushes, creams and those towel-wrap thingies (all things which clearly DO work)
b) because people with expensive disposable razor blades tend to use them far past their useful life.
People might reasonably use those basic Merkur safety razors (although the blades tend to be overpriced: I've always used Derby, and I have no complaints there) or a straight razor to minimize costs, but to say that the shave is better is pushing it.