You are right on the money. It all comes down to the best shave for YOU. It's worth experimenting. After all if you are going for clean-shaven you are going to be shaving about once per day. 365 times per year. Thousands of times before you die. It is worth optimizing this to be as pleasant as possible.

I can absolutely respect people who prefer the 'classic' old straight edge shaves, or the dollar store single blades, or the ultra-manly outback shave with a friggen knife.. I have actually tried all of the above (the knife was a mistake!)

Now I found my personal golden sheep; I got a free one of the new Shtick Hydro's and it is bar none the best shave I have ever had. The first time I used it I was actually startled. It didn't FEEL like I was shaving, just like I was rubbing something smooth over my face and the hair was suddenly gone.

I think a lot of the backlash against the pushing of newer shaving products is legitimate (prices of blades going up.. how many blades do we really need? ergonomic grip? Really?), but I think a large part is also some sort of machismo. Having a really 'fancy' smooth shave just isn't as manly.

Personally I am not shaving for the man-points. I am shaving for utility and comfort.

EDIT: full setup, shave while shower is running so I am in a steamy room, I use shaving gel (the Gillette sensitive skin), and I make sure I change the blade every two weeks. Follow up with the shower and some post-shave lotion after toweling off.