Is this lack of technique?

[shark-bait]

I've only been DE shaving about 3 weeks but loving it completely. I have a question.
I started off with a Merkur Futur (set at 1.5!) and have since bought a ball end Tech and am waiting for a 40's Super Speed to arrive.
I like the Techs' small thin head and the fact that I can chuck a Feather into it and easily have a nice shave, but the Futur seems to give a better/closer shave and I like the fact that the sound you get from the Futur helps getting the right angle.
Last night I used the Tech with a feather that had probably done 4 shaves. There was no pulling but I just couldn't get that last little bit of stubble off, so I put a new Derby into the Future and tried that - immediate satisfaction

So, do you think I got a closer shave from the Futur because it had a new blade in it (and the Feather in the Tech was a bit worn) or because the Tech is just too mild for my technique and I get more feedback from the Futur and hence get a better angle?

 

[DE Shaver]

The Futur does give great shaves and the Tech is a relatively mild razor. If your technique is off, you'll generally need more passes to get a close shave with a milder razor. In addition, the Feather has been used a few times and is relatively duller, which further compounds the issue. Anyway, you've seemed to have adequately cataloged the reasons why your shave isn't as close with the Tech.

 

[JPDyson]

I'd say without reservation that, on my face, a 4x used Feather is still a better blade than a Derby. Obviously, YMMV.

^The bit about the Tech is spot-on. It's a very mild razor, and the Futur (even at low settings) is quite a bit more aggressive. Heavier, too. I can certainly see unexperienced technique and this difference in equipment causing a dramatic difference in results. However, I'd tend to expect more irritation w/the Futur as well, if that were true.

For me, I still can't shave as close as quickly with late-model Tech's. NDC Tech's (a la Fat Handle) can get me there in short order, but they're known to be a bit more aggressive.

Short answer: Yeah, maybe technique, but this specific equipment is also impacting results pretty distinctly.