Is improving the technique a myth?

I don't think that, in my experience, technique improvement is a myth. Quite a bit earlier this year, I purchased an English Flat Bottom Tech and after a matter of 2 or 3 weeks dismissed it as being too mild/inefficient whist still giving me a sore neck. I then flitted between a range of other razors looking for the 'one'.
Last week I revisited my Tech (with Astra SP blades like before), and have found that I am getting effortlessly superb shaves with minimal/no irritation. I guess something must have changed/improved over the course of the year... I'm going to guess that it wasn't the razor or the blade.
 
Absolutely agree with @Satanfriendly. I have spent the last couple of months or so just learning the contours of my face, and less intuitively, which direction my beard actually grows.

30 years of multi-blade cartridge shaving absolutely does not provide you with the skillz.

Getting there though, had a fantastic shave today, the smoothest and closest yet.
And then as you age, the contours change, the skin thins, and the bristles toughen.
 
And then as you age, the contours change, the skin thins, and the bristles toughen.

Beards are their coarsest at approx. age 35 from all I have read. Since 99% of all my facial shaving is done with the same exact prep, i.e., hot shower and facial cleanser, I have sometimes thought my beard was getting tougher when in reality it was either that I was using a lower tier soap and/or blade. A top tier soap will make a top tier blade purr like a kitten.
 
I agree that a top tier soap makes equipment sing. Lathers from cheaper soaps may look the same, but I reckon they do
Not give the same protection or glide.
 
Bored of this talk of "top tier"...

For some that's only Barrister and Mann, or Saponifico Varesino, or Martin de Candre...

I've never used any of them and I get great shaves.
I get equally good shaves from TOBS (£10) and Palmolive (49p) and from Proraso (£6)... Effortless BBS and no drying of the face. I doubt that the 'top tier' stuff really makes a difference. Anything that provides a good, slick lather is top tier for me :)

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It's the same as everything else, there are more expensive razors, brushes and soaps and there are always those who prefer them and those who've never tried them and insist that they can't be any better than the cheaper stuff.

YMMV, but I definitely find that some soaps are much better than others, P&B, B&M, FA and DRH to name a few favourites. Palmolive is also excellent so it's not necessarily price-related.
 
Bored of this talk of "top tier"...

For some that's only Barrister and Mann, or Saponifico Varesino, or Martin de Candre...

I've never used any of them and I get great shaves.

I have never used SV or Martin de Candre as well, but I trust others who have and who say even they have been left behind in the recent surge of specialized artisan makers of which I own several and can state unequivocally are IMO fantastic as regards latherability, glide, cushion, scent and after shave "face feel". However, I respect that for many these qualities may not be as desirable as they are for me just as I am not drawn to expensive stainless steel razors or ultra expensive natural hair brushes. One man's trash is another's treasure.
 
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