There is still not a precise and direct counterpart to it not involving manual input / guessing with Shrink-fatten and smoothness option for various tools like Subdivide and Loop cut and slide and that can be applied on an existing edge rather than adding new ones?
Well I will agree it would be a great tool to have. 
Arethere any advanced modeling techniques youtube channels dealing among others with having a good topology and avoid shading issues on more complex models ? Is there something like the Arrimus 3D channel?
I really want to learn blender but I hardly can find the same free resources that 3ds max has especially since you need to find workarounds for all the precise tools you find in max.