Thread: shaving top lip against the grain

I had a pleasant experience today. I had just resharpened the basic dovo that's currently in my rotation. I stropped it like a lunatic, 30 on linen, 112 on leather (testing new leather).

I shaved with the grain like normal then went against the grain without restropping. Everything went smoothly. On a whim I tried something different than I normally do when it got to my upper lip. I shaved the right side with the left hand and the left side with the right hand. I put my tongue between the teeth and lip where I was shaving and also pulled the area taut with my free hand, placing one finger against the nose and the thumb at the corner of the mouth outside the whisker area. I held the razor at a close angle, between 20 to 25 degrees, probably closer to 20. I let it lightly glide over the skin as I swiped it up and across at the same time. picture the corner of the lip at 6 oclock, I started with the tip of the razor sweeping it at an angle that would point between 1 and 2 oclock.

There was no skipping, no gouging. Usually I have a very hard time with the upper lip against the grain but this went very smoothly.

Very nice experience.

Glen F

This kind of opens up another question for me --does anybody puff up their cheeks when shaving --helps me a little around the mouth.

Good info ,Glen. Thanks


Justin

Glen:

I have had a tough time getting my upper lip. But now, I do pretty well. I start my lip by shaving cross grain from center to corner and the do the second pass very similar to how you described it. Works very well.

Kind of a nice feeling, isn't it.

I just grab the upper lip with the lower lip to make it taunt. Works like a charm.

I'm still getting nicks and burn on my upper lip and it's still one area which remains an unpleasant experience when shaving for me. I'm definitely trying Glen's suggestion.

Just one question. How do you keep from laughing when you catch sight of yourself in the mirror with one finger pushing your nose up, your thumb pulling your lip down, and your tongue between teeth and lip?

Clearly I'm going to have to lock the bathroom door when I try this. If my wife walks in she's going to be laughing for weeks!

Originally Posted by jaegerhund

This kind of opens up another question for me --does anybody puff up their cheeks when shaving --helps me a little around the mouth.

Good info ,Glen. Thanks


Justin

I do that when I go from the cheeks to the upper lip.

Originally Posted by majurey

Just one question. How do you keep from laughing when you catch sight of yourself in the mirror with one finger pushing your nose up, your thumb pulling your lip down, and your tongue between teeth and lip?

Once again for those in the back row ... Damn The Torpedoes! I realy do need to add some pics to that entry.

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