I'd go along with the first part but am not so sure about the last part. I have seen no real technological improvements in modern straight razor. Granted a few custom makers offer blades in some slightly exotic steels. Even those offer the tiniest advantage over the traditional steels normally used. You have to remember that stainless steels have been used in making straight razor blades since about 1920s-30s.
In DESE razors the use of stainless steel is fairly recent, I think, and has a bit of an advantage over older brass and plated models. The advantage being the modern stainless steel ones won't loose their plating over time. OTH it takes a lifetime to wear off good plating in normal use.
Regardless of materials used to manufacture razors it is the shave that counts. In that respect materials used make little difference for me as my vintage razors shave as well as my modern ones.
Bob
