Chin and upper lip unreachable

I've been shaving with my straight for about three weeks now. I have TI 6/8 hollow, that seems to be great(nothing to compare it with). I always shower before I shave and use Prorasso cream with a good badger brush. I have found success at the easiest places of my face, such as the side burns, cheeks, and neck. Under my nose and chin are a different story. I cannot for the life of me get the angle correct. I have a tough beard and shave everyday, so I have plenty of practice. I have cut myself twice on my upper lip as I can not get that technique down. I'm afraid I'm going to cut my upper lip off.

I have a strong chin with a cleft. By the time I get to it, my cream has dried out and I need to reapply it. When I go for the stretch, my razor doesn't seem to fit. I am not good enough to try XTG or ATG yet. I've watched all the videos, do I just need to keep trying? At this point, I finish off with my GEM single edge razor. Any advice and suggestions would be great. I'm not giving up on this.

Bmental,

For info on shaving the upper lip, here's a search on the " coup de matre" and you'll find a number of threads and at least one video about shaving the upper lip. http://straightrazorpalace.com/googl...786j3381526j13

For the chin, this thread/video by Lynn will give you some excellent help on the chin and other strokes. Saves trying to type it all. http://straightrazorpalace.com/video...beginners.html

Enjoy, and hope these help......I think they will. :)

Regards,

Howard :)

I use a couple of 3/8s for difficult places where larger sizes don't seem to work. If you want to try out a 3/8 to see if it will work PM me and I'll loan you one for a few weeks.

The Coup de Maitre vids will be a good starting point for the upper lip.

As for the chin area, I have a fairly tough beard as well and find that XTG (and in some places ATG) is absolutely necessary to get a smooth shave. Same for my upper lip. I would suggest working on XTG first and then ATG and when you become proficient in both your problems will disappear.

Bmental,

Here is a copy of my thoughts from another thread about the general topic:

"I shave the chin and the mustache areas in miniature, almost buffing, strokes with the razor almost flush on the face. Here and there the blade angle is adjusted a wee bit. Also, as a rule, and especially around these areas, I keep my lather slightly on the runny side for better glide. I have discovered that a thick and dense lather hinders the razor's glide, especially with a tough beard, because the blade has to fight not only the tough beard, but also the thick and dense lather."

In your case, Bmental, if you're having difficulty maneuvering the razor north to south with the grain — because you start with a steep angle and then scoop down toward the upper lip — eliminate that stroke and instead perform an across the grain pass. Shave in miniature, almost buffing, strokes with the razor almost flush on your face. It is important also to lead with the point of the blade: the blade is the usual, almost vertical, angle with the point slightly ahead of the rest of the blade.

Hey OP I Have seen that these are problem areas for many people. Personally I tryy best to flatten out both areas by jutting out my chin and sucking in the lip. For the upper lip I try to extend it past the bottom and flatten it out. All while shaving against the grain. Yeah I looks rediculous when you do it but it gets the job done. Also I would try to start with the blade flat on the chin then raise the spine just a bit and keep that angle as you follow the contours of your chin and lip.

Nice thread!

I never had issues with my chin, on the contrary thought it was always the easiest to shave, with electric / cartridge and eventually DEs. Now with SRs for the life of my I keep having long stubble sticking out no matter how many passes I do and whichever direction.

I'm sure it's the angle.

Help us great old mentors :)

The corners of my chin and ATG is what prompted me to start using a scything stroke.
With the heel about mid point on the under side of my chin I do a scything stroke as I round the corner,
As I crest the top of the round point/corner of my chin the motion continues up but the rotation of the scythe changes.
I end up at my lower lip parallel to it.
As I explain it and think about it is a bit of an S scything stroke if that makes sense.

From the title of the thread I was going to say you needed longer arms :dropjaw:

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The Coup de Maitre vids will be a good starting point for the upper lip.

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I didn't even know there was a name for this I have also just done it that way along with the XTG for the upper lip

After 4 months, I am just now starting to end up with consistently good shaves on my chin. A buffing guillotine stroke seems to do it for me.

I started getting better results on my chin after I read the "barber's manual" on shaving strokes and instituted the 14th stroke. Prior to that a N-S and S-N would still leave a bit of stubble.

My upper lip is not a worry. Twice a week touch up with an Electric trimmer keeps the 'stache in proper shape.

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Originally Posted by BDRebel

After 4 months, I am just now starting to end up with consistently good shaves on my chin. A buffing guillotine stroke seems to do it for me.

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That's what I do also. This is followed by an East to West pass with the same buffing action.

The strange thing is with DEs just ONE downward stroke takes care of my chin. But with the SR like you said have to try east to west, south to north and a marry-go-round haha

I have problems with my entire chin becuase of the way my chin just down. So what I do is shave to the point were I am comfortable and then do a couple of very thinly angled atg passes that cover the contours of my chin in an upward direction. a similar technique might be used with a cleft if your straight has a bit of a smile to it. what type of point is your razor?

I've been taking in all the advice given and really getting good results. I tried a smaller razor, but that didn't feel quite right. The coupe de matre video helped for the upper lip area. The chin strokes are getting closer. All I can say, is when I slowed down and really concentrated on the task, I started seeing better results. I'm still not where I need to be. Some days I can get all three passes with no problems, others I finish with my DE. Better safe than sorry!

Thanks to all for the help,

BMental

Some good pointers here. I'll have to try them with my chin. That's the area I have the most problems with.

I know I have some days I am more successful at both problem areas. I don't think its always my technique. Could be the edge on the razor. Maybe start with your hardest areas by just lathering up all around your mouth and chin. Shave that first, then lather up entire face and then shave as normal. It is all angles they say. Stay patient and keep a smile, don't get frustrated.

Good Luck