Just when you think you got it down and have everything known - you don't. I was doing the 3 pass, slow shave with Pre Shave oil routine. Took alot of time, but I enjoyed it. But, I wanted to quicken up the shave. So, I decided for the hell of it because I don't have to go anywhere now since I quit my job to take care of my elderly father (and still be comfortable), I tried a N/S (2-pass) quick shave like I did all my life with cartridge razors - but I skipped the Pre-shave oil, and changed to a Astra SP blade. Expecting my face to look like a Horror film, the results on the first shave where interesting. Not total BBS, but near BBS - DFS = still some areas with stubble I missed. The most surprising thing was that I had no irritation. However, I needed to shave again in 36 hours vs 72+. I tried this several more times, and added a VERY quick quasi-3rd pass (W-E) to get BBS, and it has worked out tremendously. While I need to shave more often, it doesn't bother me, or my face. I was surprised how well the Astra blade worked, I had dismissed it as middle of road before, but it proved to me any almost any blade can give a BBS shave. Just goes to show you I guess
I'm glad its working out for you. If you really want a challenge try a Tiger 3 hole blade. It makes me shudder just thinking its name. On a better note, Astra SP is one of the better blades for me. I also really like Kai blades but they are the most expensive blade from my vender so I would like to find a cheaper blade I like as well. I'm working my way thru 100 different blades to find it.
You just descibed my shave pattern. I go N/S, S/N then do a half a pass on my neck. I have been experimenting with the directions of the first to pass trying to eliminate the need for touch up, beacause I rarely get irritation with two passes, but start to see it on the third. For what it's worth, I have used this same pattern for cartridge, DE, and straights, with similar results.
