Handlebar Mustache vs. Straight Razor

[MisterMoo]

I used to carelessly ding a handful of mustache handlebar hair about once a week. At one point I finally cut off the ends thinking a too-thin handlebar was worse than none at all. Rookie stuff. Thing is, prewash the face and mess a little soap into the handlebars and I have a slippery mess. I can't prewash without taking off most of yesterdays wax; neither can I lather my face without adding a little soap to mustache ends. However I do it, the stache usually ends up limp and hanging in the free-fire zone at shave time. I have taken to grabbing a handful of handlebar and holding it clear while the razor does it's work but, this way, I end up with soapy fingers a couple of times during a shave. I hate that.

Any advice to a chronic mustache handlebar chopper? Wiping off soapy fingers isn't the end of the world a couple of times per shave but, still, I feel like there is a code to be cracked which has so far evaded me. I admit it has been many months since major accidental mustache chopping on one side or the other but I hate the soapy fingertips.

[MattCB]

I just decided to try to grow a handlebar myself (1 week in). I am interested to see if anyone has a good answer as I can see this will be an issue.

[MisterMoo]

It's always something.

Hoping for anything besides using a damp washcloth.

[coachschaller]

sorry,
I always got mine soaped up and had to reapply wax every time.

[MisterMoo]

sorry....

Darn darn darn.

[MJC]

As a long time Mustache guy (7 NOV 1972 - last cleared the upper lip) and a currently Handlebar mode as apposed to "Military Trim" - I may be able to help.

1. Start even - stay even. Small boundary errors in the beginning only compound as he 'Stache grows. So make sure that the outline is as close to perfect as you can get it. This is easiest to do at the 5-10 day mark for most.

2. The Straight Razor is your best tool, and for me a Square, Muted Square, "American Point" all seem to work well with practice. The area they stand out is the bottom of our nose - that can be a tight spot. I've noticed that when I travel and have to use a Cart or DE for a couple of days the edge starts to looking ragged pretty quick.

3. Boundary creep - this is when you let the tip/side are get longer by accident. Happens, but you can correct this with the system bellow and practice. Note this does not refer to the length of hairs inside the "boundary" but when you add new by not shaving to the "line" or when you cross the "line/boundary" and cut stuff you did not mean to.

4. Whenever you are getting close to the outside edge of your 'Stache, stop for a second, "safe" your razor (either clean and close or position your razor hand in some very safe way) and carefully clear enough lather away to see the boundary. Do not count on memory or "bumping the edge" to tell you were you are and you close that last 10mm/ 4/10" - Most of my mistakes came from trying to "feel" the edge/boundary as I closed in.

5. Merkur makes a little Mustache razor..skip it. If you need something small and accurate to help you maintain the edges get a pack of these. What you get is an miniature open comb SE razor. The blade appears to be a Kai Guard blade (I took one apart). This is the same as using a DE to clean up when you are learning how to use a Straight. Eventually you will stop or seldom use one, but they are handy - especially at the corner of your mouth. This is were boundary creep sets in...

6. Wax and stuff - Very YMMV. Depending on the length and local weather I use wax (best if you pre-heat it in very hot water, glue stick and a Punk Rock hair gel called Über (The black tube - clear) Since my Mo is white, most wax makes it look dingy and they don't hold up in the Texas summer heat. You will have as many waxes as you do soaps and creams in short order.

Some of the recent "looks"



Hope this helps...

Smooth Shaving...

[str8fencer]

I recall once seeing an episode of Poirot by Agatha Cristie. In it, Poirot was using a moustache net of sorts, he used it at night, so his moustache would not go crazy during his sleep. It sort of was a small bandana around his moustache, tied behind his head. I wonder if something like that might fit your bill? Just my initial thought, I don't have a handlebar myself, it just seems like too much of a hassle. Perhaps someone in the handlebar club might have some tips?

[1OldGI]

The way you describe (handfull of handlbar when you get close) is my technique exactly. It's really not that different than stretching the skin or moving your nose and stuff around so you can get a good angle. True your fingers get wet but you can always just keep a towel handy. What kind of wax are you using? I've found that when I use the harder stuff (most notably Firehouse) eventually the hair gets trained and even when you wash it the moustache retains a pretty handlebarred appearance and your stash isn't wondering all over your face.

@str8fencer: The appliance you're referring to is called a snood. Can't say I really understand its purpose but it seems to be so that your moustache doesn't get messed up when you sleep (as if I actually care what it looks like when I''m sleeping.) Besides, first thing in the morning I'm going to take a shower and fix it anyway. Here's a link to one Stern Moustache Snood | RoyalShave. Completely not practical for shaving. Reminds me of one of the head gear retainers some kids used to wear, looks like and unneccessary PITA to me.

[MattCB]

MJC: One of the best write ups I have seen as far as mustaches go. Excellent tips!

[Java]

I pretty much always shower just before I shave, so my moustache is usually wax-free, and hanging straight down. I move it out of the way just like you're describing. I've always got a hand towel close by when I'm shaving. I dry my hands and sometimes the tang before each pass.