your right, straight forks have the same rake as curved forks (cue FatMike with a paint diagram :huh: ) curved forks are just the traditional way of doing it (like double diamond frames) straight forks are just another way.
say you have a steep head angle but with a short stem, then you have a slack head angle with a long stem, the reach is exactly the same with both bikes so they would feel the same. Your hands are still in the same place in comparasen to the front axle. It would tap the same, feel the same on the front wheel, you would only know the difference when you turned.