Thread: Angle Under the Nose and Around the Mustache Area?

Hi, I'm just a week into actual straight razor shaving, but I am loving it. I know that the angle of the razor needs to be fairly closed, and I shouldn't let the blade "open up" too much. Under the nose (I means right up near the nostrils and whatever that middle part is called) I don't seem to have the room to keep the same closer to vertical angle. Today I tried to flatten the angle a bit and got a nick for my troubles.

Should I just try to use the tip of the razor more for these tight areas? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

The groove below the nose is called a philtrum.

I do a scooping motion to get the area right under the nose. The are where the philtrum meets the nose is the most feequent spot wher I nick myself.


The following video shows the scooping motion @ 1:28.
I pull the tip of my nose up to stretch the skin with my non-razor hand while doing this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrP2T8phbwM&t=93s

I do both. I do the scooping motion and the angle does get a bit more open for me here. I also just use the tip of the razor and do a XTG stroke in this area.

Whatever it takes.

Search fools pass also
I would call it a scooping action also for a downwards WTG pass then XTG finished with the ATG (aka: fools pass)

The old French barbers traditionally referred to it as the "coup de maitre" (the master's feat), better translated as the "crowning touch".
I usually go with a scooping motion with the heel, followed with an ATG using the tip of the blade.

Yes, a 3-pass process for me as well. I have some hairs that grow just below the nose, an ATG using the heel and XTG with the tip get it.

This is where a Square point blade pays dividends and a keen heel as well.

I do a clean-up, water pass with my bride’s, lighted magnified mirror, using the heel mostly, with a two-hand grip for maximum control.

You just have to figure out what works for you. Try two handed Again the Grain with light pressure.

Thank you, the YouTube video was very helpful, especially with the close-ups. When you say "scooping motion" do you mean that instead of going straight down there is a slight outward flick of the wrist?

Originally Posted by Horsehide

The old French barbers traditionally referred to it as the "coup de maitre" (the master's feat), better translated as the "crowning touch".
I usually go with a scooping motion with the heel, followed with an ATG using the tip of the blade.

When you say "scooping motion" do you mean that rather than going straight down with the motion that there should be a slight outward motion to the wrist to follow the curve of the lip?

Originally Posted by Euclid440

Yes, a 3-pass process for me as well. I have some hairs that grow just below the nose, an ATG using the heel and XTG with the tip get it.

This is where a Square point blade pays dividends and a keen heel as well.

I do a clean-up, water pass with my bride’s, lighted magnified mirror, using the heel mostly, with a two-hand grip for maximum control.

You just have to figure out what works for you. Try two handed Again the Grain with light pressure.

Thanks for the suggestions. Is ATG also what is referred to as the Fool's Pass?

Originally Posted by MajesticShaver

Thank you, the YouTube video was very helpful, especially with the close-ups. When you say "scooping motion" do you mean that instead of going straight down there is a slight outward flick of the wrist?

I think of the scoop as a continuous change of blade angle.