TL;DR: it's good

I apologize for grammar mistakes. It's not very bad by any means, but I wrote this on my phone and it's just not worth it to write properly.

Many of you may remember that a while ago I made a post asking about the ATT return policy and recommendations for a top tier razor. I ended up getting an ATT Atlas S1, so here will be my review. I'll try and break it down into logical categories.

Before I go any further, I should establish that I have only a fair amount of experience with different razors. My razor progression has been Feather Popular--->EJDE89--->Standard. So, any superlative or comparative measures I used will be related to these razors, particularly the Standard.

Build Quality: ATT reputation for absolute top quality workmanship was earned and proved. Right away upon picking up the razor, you feel a nice weight to it and it feels like you're holding a quality machine. Now, when I pick up my Standard, it seems almost toy-like in its weight. You can see/feel how precise everything is, especially when you screw the handle into the cap. Overall, everything just seems perfect and you know your holding something of very high quality. It brings to mind a /u/LeisureGuy blog post I read a while ago.

https://leisureguy.wordpress.com/2014/10/07/how-does-above-the-tie-convey-that-feeling-of-holding-a-very-precise-machine-using-only-3-parts/

At the time, I thought this post was a little over the top, but now Id have to say that I agree on most counts.

Aesthetics/Atlas Handle: This is a pretty nice looking razor. I prefer black, but oh well. I really wanted to use this section to talk about the Atlas Handle. When I was buying the razor, I wasn't sure if I should go for an ATT handle because of the cost ($40 extra, though at the time I thought it was ~$60 extra). Well, I decided to get the handle, and am so happy I did. The Atlas handle's barberpole knurling is both beautiful and grippy. I just love the feel of it in my hands. The handle is a bit short, but it wasn't an issue for me (perhaps because I have smaller hands). /u/redthursdays, I remember you were also debating whether to get the ATT handle as well. Well, should your hiatus end and you decide to get the ATT, Id say go for the handle as well. I'd recommend an ATT handle to somebody even if they didn't want the head.

Shave Quality: This razor shaves like a dream. I had a little bit of issues at first because I was so used to the light and super mild Standard which I could do just about anything with without getting cut. But, after a little bit of blade exploration and technique refinement, I am absolutely blown away by the shave quality. The ATT is far more efficient than the Standard while being only marginally less comfortable. My biggest problem area, the jawline which I could never get close, is a breeze to take care of now. I can do a 2 pass shave and be as close or closer than with 3 passes with the Standard. To me, the most amazing thing about shaving with this is my newfound ability to go ATG. This was impossible at any angle with my Standard (except for one in a blue moon when it suddenly worked). I had honestly thought my skin just couldn't handle ATG until I got this razor. So, in effect, the ATT unlocked my potential to actually get a BBS shave. To me, that by itself made it worth the money I paid for it. Overall, 9/10 for shave quality (I feel it irresponsible to put 10/10 unless I've tried most razors which this one would compete with)

Feedback: Besides the price, this may be the only complaint I have about the S1. While there is some audio feedback, it is noticeably less than my Standard or EJ. I suspect this has to do with blade rigidity, though the causation doesn't really matter. When I first got the razor, I had a hard time even getting touch sensory feedback but I this had to do with bad angle. I was quickly able to adjust to using the way it feels, rather than the way it sounds, as feedback. Now that Ive hit my groove with the razor, I hardly even notice how quiet it is.

Cost/Value: I suspect this is the reason that everybody doesn't have an ATG. From what I know, this is the most expensive commercial/non specialty razor besides the BBS1. I cried a little when I saw my PayPal lose $185, but only a little because I'm a big boy. When I bought the razor, I told myself that if I wasn't blown away and taken to a magical shaving fantasy world during every pass, then this would be returned. After using it for almost 30 days, I have no desire to return it whatsoever. I often like to use economics to describe situations of "worth." If you're making your decisions at the margin (does the marginal cost = the marginal benefit), it's unlikely you'd end up with this razor. But, in the end, it's about consumer surplus. Would I have gotten more consumer surplus by buying a $70 razor and a shitload of soaps? Probably not. I can expect to be shaving almost every day for at least the next 60 years, so as an investment, this razor is definitely worth it. In the end, while I haven't found shaving Narnia, I am fine with losing $185 to keep this razor in my den.

Conclusion: I bought this razor looking for a "final razor." The ATT S1 was satisfied me in almost every way, so I'm happy with using this for the foreseeable future. Maybe if I find a Mongoose for $50 at a yard sale then I'd go for it, but other than that I think I'm set for a while.

Overall, the ATT S1 is an absolutely amazing razor and I highly recommend it to anybody looking for a top quality razor. You won't be disappointed - I know I'm not.

I hope you guys enjoyed the review, and I hope it helps anybody who's on the fence about getting one.