A great shave need a few things. A shave ready edge, good technique and proper prep. The prep can be under stellar and still deliver. The razor and technique have to be spot on. Stretching is big for a good shave. I cold shave and I believe it gives a closer shave, but I have no evidence scientific or otherwise other than my experience with it. And one other thing that is big is experience. You can only get it by doing it.