Can you get true BBS without an ATG pass?

So far, no matter how sharp my razor is, how well I prep, what blade angle I use, etc, I can't get true BBS without shaving ATG. I can get a DFS, very close, and when I rub with the pass I just did, it's very smooth, but if I rub ATG, I can definitely feel some roughness. This has always been the case for me, with mach 3s, fusions, DEs, etc.

I'm curious how many people can actually get true BBS where you feel nothing rubbing ATG, with only a WTG and/or XTG passes.

I cannot speak to that because I always go ATG in some areas and not in others. There are areas where I cannot do XTG logistically. There are other areas where ATG would be painful so naturally I don't do those ATG. OTOH, I would surmise that I could get bbs without ATG because I do on my upper lip forinstance and that is too tough for me to do ATG. :shrug:

The short answer is no. The long answer is: I have tried, and failed miserably. Bart's fantastic article Advanced shaving techniques for the straight razor - Straight Razor Place Wiki helped immensely.

I can get a very good shave almost BBS with a third WTG pass. It doesn't quite make the BBS cut though.

Some might be able to get a BBS with only two passes, but I can't.

I can get BBS on teh cheeks and lower neck using XTG passes on teh second shave but never has a razor been sharp enough to go ATG on my upper neck, chin, lip or around the mouth, that includes brand new DE blades too.

Mind you, I do have a vast amount still to learn and my honing, stropping isn't up to scratch yet so we will see what the future holds.

I have heard people talk of silent shaves their razor is so sharp, most of mine sound like a small boy having fun with velcro fastenings on his new shoes.

:gl:

I believe that ATG is an important pass for a fine shave
Tom

I can get pretty close with two XTG shaves (one in each direction), but it's still not as smooth as a nice ATG pass.

I can get a really close one pass shave, not nessercerily all WTG, but one pass.

I can only get a BBS shave with ATG, there is just no way my upper lip or chin would be BBS with out ATG.

My answer is "No". I need an ATG-pass for completely smooth results.

Bart.