This is kind of where my mind goes. Not that I profess to employ perfect technique but the technique that I employ seems to be the overriding factor more often than not since I use straight razors or unguarded vintage shavettes most of the time. I Do however understand what @Dragonsbeard means by a razors design (comb style etc) lending itself to a more or less aggressive face feel regardless of good technique.
This everlasting debate exposes a very important concept that lies at the heart of most great conflicts...the use and understanding of language. Simple geographic and cultural differences leave each of us with word preferences and subtle differences in understandings or standards of usage. While the strict meaning of a word might make it seem appropriate, context would make it less so. These differences are more obvious when you attempt to translate from English to Spanish or French or? Truth is, efficient is a pretty clean and (pardon the use of the word) efficient way of describing what is trying to be said. So too are effective, aggressive and functional but each of those words might also convey more or less information than the person is trying to say. Aggressive might imply a negative or overly efficient, overly effective functionality. Effective might imply it only meets a minimum standard and nothing more...but maybe efficient says the same?
Civil discourse for the purpose of moving forward or achieving better understanding of one another is acceptable, even if it involves a soapbox or two. Discourse that devolves into endless circular argument has no value here.
