So, the blade would start slightly more vertically with the blade up against the philtrum and then open up the angle as it proceeds down towards the lip? Sorry for all the questions, I'm just trying to visualize the movement. Thanks.
Printable View
The way I do it is to use a With The Grain pass from north to south. The blade edge approaches the top of the philtrum almost straight on with a slight downward cant of the blade. The blade follows the curvature of the face as the pass continues south, making a semi-circle.
The link to the video on my first post didn't work when I went to view it just now. I went back and re-linked the video.
So, that the blade is touching the nose and the edge is on the lip just under the nose, the blade or spine, continues to touch the nose, as the edge moves down the upper lip, and you have the shallowest angle through the stroke.
In other words, do not keep the same starting angle. Keep the spine or blade touching the nose
Kind of like, making a scooping motion, but really the edge says on the skin and the spine end, is as close to the skin, as the nose will allow, through the downward stroke..
Use light pressure so as not to dig into the skin. That will get the bulk of the moustache, but against the grain, cleans it up and across the grain, the toe gets any touch up needed.
When I do the scooping motion, the wrist and forearm are almost motionless along the vertical axis. It is 95 percent a rotational motion. This may help describe it for the new guys.
Thanks everyone for all you wonderful suggestions. Today's shave went better on the North to South WTG motion. I did get a nice little cut when I tried to go XTG from the center to the outside of the nostril. In fairness I think there was more blood because I reopened where I nicked myself yesterday. Oh well, maybe tomorrow will be better.
That is the columella. Reason being I know this my daughter has needed surgery to this area.
Try the "Fools Pass" method for shaving the upper lip area as I call it. It is a method that quite honestly people frown upon at times and think it is not safe but it is just as safe as anything else you would do in straight shaving.
Simply hold the razor steady and still and you move your face down to shave. It is a simple method taught to me by some long time shavers and I use it every shave. Why? Because it works. I still shave down and while you cannot get the spine to two times the width going that direction it does get some stubble while the "Fools Pass" is like a clean up pitcher that comes in to retire the side!:rofl2:
This is why I like a square-tip razor. I sometimes do a combination of the above mentioned techniques, but, to avoid opening up the angle of my blade when shaving those hairs tucked right under the septum of my nose, I'll pop them individually with the very tip of the toe of my razor while pulling my nose to one side. I've found that incorporating this into my WTG/XTG pass works well.
I'm just learning how to achieve the same technique with a barber's notch...