So anyway I used to de shave a few years ago then wanted to try out electric for awhile and I have to say that shaving with a de razor shaves closer. My routine is wtg/atg/xtg. I lather up my face just twice though for wtg and atg when I get to xtg I use no soap or cream, I just have to go across the grain on my neck in a couple of places and I get a super close shave in all directions. I used the Proraso soap green, Merkur 34c and a Simpson chubby 2 synthetic.