Thread: comfortable upper lip shave

Hi straight razor users,
I have just started shaving with a straight razor.
Everything seems to come relatively easy to me, however shaving my upper lip seems to be hard.
I think not letting it grow for longer than a day might help and stretching helps however it still is a little uncomfortable.
Is there a trick? Maybe the stubble is tougher there, should I soften it up a little with pre-shave stuff? (I use olive oil as a pre-shave oil, maybe I should switch to something that softens the hair more?) All the pre-shave stuff is pretty expensive, although I found on the forum here that coconutoil will work as well..
Any pointers from the veteran shavers here?

It is indeed one of the more challenging parts in a shave.
I would say to do it last in your routine, giving it as much time to soften/swell up as much as possible.
Another little trick might be to not go from the top down, but rather come in from the sides more.
Other than that it is just a matter of experience and practice really.
Keep at it, you'll get there soon enough

I go from the middle out first, then top down (lightly) on second pass. Works better for me.

Sounds like you have the stroke down but your blade isn't quite sharp enough?

If the latter is the case you may try making the upper lip the first thing to shave when your blade is freshly stropped. My upper lip has fine and really tough hair and if my blade isn't stupid sharp I can't get close wtg pass, though it picks them up on the xtg pass.

If it's the stroke you're having trouble with think of it like you're trying scoop off the lather and be very careful not drag it on your skin as it really dulls the edge and causes razor burn.

Just keep at it and experimenting, it'll come!

While still not 100% comfortable I second Birnando's comment, I come at slight angle by stretching nose to the side.

The upper lip is tuff. The hair there is the most tuff part of the shave. I have been SR shaving for 2 months and cant quite get the shave there that I want. I know it will eventualy get there. Try to shave it first when your blade is freshly stropped like someone already suggested.

Somedays I can get it smooth and perfect and other days forget it. The corners where it meets at the corner of your 2 lips it is really tuff the hair seems to be the thickest and toughest .

Keep at it you will get it down, just a matter of time.