Solid: Cube
Cut 1: Vertex
Sequence: B
Term: 1
Cut 2: Edge
Sequence: A
Term: 2
Vestar - Analysis, Tips, and Tricks
First, let's take a look a how effectively method 1 works. I did 10 solves with this method to get a feel for how it plays out. After the completion of each step I noted how many moves had been used. The stacked bar graph below summarizes the results. The data looks a bit "quantized" (ie, having several solves a near each of a few different lengths), however this is coincedence.
This pie chart shows the average percentage of effort spent on each step.
As you can see, the vast majority of moves are spent in step four, solving the face pieces. So, does this method handle those piece inefficiently, or are they simply more difficult to work with? The answer is neither. The graph is so lopsided because, for one, there are twice as many face pieces, and also, because the edges are done with three steps while the faces are done with one. As you can see below, a fair number of moves per piece are used for each piece type by this method.
Some tips I noted while doing these ten solves...
1. In step four, always solve at least two pieces per three-cycle. Use a minimum of setup moves, often 2 setup moves when solving two pieces or 4 moves when solving three pieces. Especially near the beginning there may be several opportunities to solve three pieces with a three-cycle so take advantage of these.
2. When correcting an odd permutation of reduced edges, half of the time they will be flipped the same way. In this situation make sure they are flipped correctly at the end. The algorithm provided naturally flips them; conjugate with a single edge twist if they need to remain unflipped.
3. It may be advantageous to place some edges while reducing them, although I have not yet developed a system for this.