I've posted elsewhere that I have recently been breaking the rules for shaving. My current sacred cow on the barbie is starting my shave ATG. Yes, that's is one pass, touchups**, and an irritaiton-free BBS result (OK, with maybe a weeper or three). Probably not for noobs, but I am getting some very good results lately. **NOTE: Do I have to say "plus touchups?" Going forward, is it fair to assume that touchups are included? <sigh> I found that my Damaskeene is safe to start ATG. However, I think I have noticed its flaw: the blade slides back from the front edge just a little in use (1~1.5 mm). Mine does not deliver a BBS. I think I started the Standard Razor ATG, but am not certain. I will try it soon. I know one of my Schick injectors did OK. I do not remember which, though. Finally... this week, I've been using the lowly Yuma razor with a Gillette Silver Blue. I've been starting it ATG. One shave I even skipped a day, so that little piece of Yuma junk Zamak handled a full day's growth like nobody's business — one-and-done! It won't replace my "good" razors, but it certainly holds its own. (The Yuma is using my first ever GSB blade, so the blade may deserve a lot of the credit here.) SO... Who else starts a shave against the grain? What razor(s) do you use? Do you find it works only with certain razor+blade combos? I have come to loathe the ubiquitous shaving letters 'YMMV,' but this could be a lucky thing that applies to a special few. If so, I am glad to be in the number and hope I can continue the trend! At any rate, I'd like to hear from fellow TSDers!
I do regularly shave ATG 1-pass but only if I had a close shave the day prior. I've never had any problem doing this with any of my injectors or SEs.
The only good ATG shave I got was from an adjustable Gillette. I want to say it was set on 2 but maybe 1. I am prone to ingrown hairs but this worked rather well. At least for me a BBS is to much work, I can settle for CCS.
I am going to try this tomorrow or Thursday. I have started doing only two pass shaves. WTG & ATG with my Sheraton and Black Beauty. I think I could handle a ATG pass only. We will see. Interesting thread Malted.
I'm the same as Fram773. If I had a close shave the day before I can do a 1 pass ATG shave with any of my DE razors without any problems. BUT YMMV. I've been wet shaving for many years and everyone is different.
maybe I was law enforcement to long. while there is no wrong way to get the job done, if you like it. I like a hot water wash. three passes, up, down, then ear to chin (or to Adams Apple). cool wash a/s brush teeth a/s towel off brush hair take photo for you guys kp the vanity hot cup o'Joe finish the sos entry. works for me. one pass with the grain, I'd be hairy by ten. one pass against, I'd Prolly bleed till eleven.
On my lower neck area I usually do the ATG since I have been only using my ATT R-1 Razor I really hve not used the ATG anywhere except on my lower neck, and below my {Cake Hole} I had a DI in boot camp, that his favorite saying was "Ladies be sure to brush your pearly whites and shave below your cake hole!" If you missed any place of your shave he made us dry shave in the barracks. (been there done that once or twice, which developed many Large Nicks and Weepers)
To the OP, "One and done"? Probably the main reason I make three passes is because it takes longer to make three passes. I enjoy my shave. It's my ME TIME. If making that first pass ATG was the only pass and was sufficient for a DFS, I still wouldn't do it. I enjoy my 3-pass shave that gets me darn near BBS every time with zero irritation.
And to those who say the single AGT will save time in a hurry... 1 - alarm clocks are adjustable B - if I don't have time to enjoy my shave the way I want to, I don't shave
I'm with you on both points! The crazy thing I am noticing (besides the modest (neglible? irrelevant?) amount of time saved) is the benefit of fewer passes. I think my skin likes it a bit better because the after shave stings less (even Pinaud Bay Rum... but that one still stings plenty!). Also, I think it may extend blade life (NOT a variable I normally try to optimize!). I am 5 shaves into my current blade. This morning was the first drop in performance, with only the slightest of tugging. It is hard for me to judge because I so frequently take a DE blade "one shave too far!" However, I can typically count on 3 shaves from a DE blade using the old 2-pass (+TU) method. Until now, my fifth shave on a blade was frequently on the edge of the danger zone, if not well past the point of pain! I said earlier that this was my first run of a Gillette Silver Blue. My current experiments in straight ATG are likely one of 1) the GSB is a crazy-fantastic blade for my face and will supplant all other DE blades; 2) a personal breakthrough in overall technique; 3) some insane Zamak mojo from a cheapo Yuma or 4) some mixture of the previous three! I don't think I am going to draw any conclusions real soon, but will continue experimenting with the one-and-done(+TU). I hate to decrease my "me time," Steve, but I like being friendlier to my face! As of this moment, I suspect that most of the real face-saving mojo comes from technique. I suspect that, rather like @BigT , if your technique is Olympic caliber, then any blade in any razor can be a 1-pass BBS. I know I am not that good! ... yet! I'm still interested in TSDer's razor+blade combos for ATG success stories, though! What works for you guys?
Back when i was shaving with carts *shudder* i initially did one pass ATG. And wondered why I was spiky already at 1pm LOL So I learned about multipasses and safety razors...the rest is history..
When I didn't know any better and still was using carts I only did one pass. Always against the grain, because if I shaved with the grain it didn't work at all (Mach 3). I didn't shave in the weekends back then and my monday shaves were always better than the other shaves. So I'm used to ATG shaving and do three passes ATG. The only way for me to get a close shave. Strange, isn't it? But I like it anyway.
I've only done it a few times, and to say I was being really careful would be quite an understatement. I got a passable shave with, 1. Fatip Piccolo and a new Derby Extra blade. 2. Merkur 37C slant and a new Astra SP blade. Once, whilst recovering from a concussion I considered trying the Muhle R41 (2013) with a new Shark Super Stainless, but caution (and lack of a styptic pencil) overcame temptation....