Im about 60 shaves in. The grain runs north to south in the area below my nose (where my mustache would be) This would necessitate my running the blade from the top of my lip to my nose. Sounds dangerous, Am I right?
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Im about 60 shaves in. The grain runs north to south in the area below my nose (where my mustache would be) This would necessitate my running the blade from the top of my lip to my nose. Sounds dangerous, Am I right?
watch some of dr matt vids when he shaves. He does this sometimes, wouldnt do it until you feel okay doing it though
They don't call it the fool's pass for nothing!
I do it everyday, so I must be a fool.
Contort your face to pull the skin tight on top of your teeth. Then hold the blade with two hands - one hand normal, one hand on the toe. And use small buffing pushes to get the hair.
Yes, at some point you will cut your nose, and yes it hurts worse than you think, but it doesn't bleed much.
Yep! As I understand it is referred to as the "fools pass". When your ready to give it a try, take your time. Around the mouth is where I tend to really slow down and "hyper" focus. Light, short, steady strokes. I have seen some who take this on using two hands. I have only done it with one hand and have been successful. It's all part of the journey!!
I hold it like you, but I hold the blade steady and move my face instead, I seem to feel safer with more control that wayQuote:
Originally Posted by criswilson10
I've considered it, but haven't the need; one WTG and one XTG pass is close enough for me...
I've had a stach for over 30 years and intend to keep it to avoid doing the fools pass. ;)
Bob
I am quite a few shaves in and very rarely have a moustache, and no matter how I try or with what razor, I cannot go against the grain there. I get a rash always, and it is never comfortable. I am all about having a comfortable, close shave.
I simply can not go against the grain in that area, not with a straight or double edge razor. When I use my Mongoose single edge, loaded with a feather, the results are so smooth that ATG is not needed.
For that area, anyone I've seen always uses first the WTG pass, and then the XTG pass, anything else is pressing your luck.....:rofl2:
Keep your nose and don't get a rash! The fool's pass isn't worth those sacrifices. But, if you do want to do it (and I do it every day), it's a good measure of whether your razor is really sharp. This area is the one that tells me when I need to break out the crox-treated stop. As others suggested, skin stretching and short little strokes make the fool's pass much easier.
I don’t know that I will ever feel comfortable doing the fools pass. I think that cross the grain and with the grain is good enough for me in the mustache area.
It only hurts the first time when you cut your nose off, smooth sailing after that ;)
YES! The fools pass will definitely tell you if your razor needs some love...Quote:
Originally Posted by jmabuse
I shaved off my stache of like 40 + Years the other day as I am growing a light beard for cooler weather and wanted it all to come in at once and I have to say it was a chore even after using a straight for several years and I use a straight everyday
I currently have a mustache, so I do not have to do the "fools pass", but I have not always had it.
Before you try a fool's pass, make sure your blade is extremely sharp. You should get absolutely no tugging when doing ATG on other place on your face. If the blade tugs, do not attempt the fool's pass. If that sounds counter intuitive, remember that if there is any tugging, the fool's pass will be jerky rather than smooth; this can land you in the emergency room.
Also, it may be better to hold the blade firmly in both hands and then nod your head slowly rather than trying to hold your head still and move the blade.
One last suggestion, don’t sneeze while doing the fools pass.
I have a stash, so this was just a thought :D
I never do that area, usually enough with wtg tongdt it real smooth. Sometimes I go xtg. But damn, sounds dangerous. Might have to try ��
Simply go XTG from the corner of your lip to underneath your nose. For me, this gets me nearly as close as going ATG without all the nervousness. :)
I shave diagonally, not south to north. Less irritating.
Whichever way the whiskers grow is the way the razor goes...
Me too. I do one pass down, and then the second pass from the corner of my mouth to the middle of my upper lip.Quote:
Originally Posted by jkatzman
:pSame here.Quote:
Originally Posted by BobH
Should I get worried about the day when I decide to take it off? :o
In the end, I believe the whole WTG, XTG and ATG idea is just a theoretical concept and I rarely use a stroke that falls 100% in one of those three categories.
Most of my strokes have some XTG component and this is how I would tackle the area under my nose too, if the day should ever come.
B.
I've only shaved my stache with a straight, "once" in my whole life. I told her about November, and she told me not to forget that she has access to a room full of razors while I sleep.. Its her favorite, tickler. :angel:
I think the term "Fools Pass" is a bit much :)
Never had any problems with it, unlike a WTG stroke on my cheek where I've dug the tip into my self and slashed downwards .
"The fools cheek slice" I call that.
I agree with moving your head or I sometimes hold the blade stationary and move my lip over my teeth with a slight head bob movement . I think the upper lip is the most important place to get bbs that's the part the wife feels in a kiss . But like already said that is where you know if your blade needs a touch up or not it needs to be at its best
I’m 4 months into straight shaving and have been doing that pass everyday. I use two hands on the blade and short strokes and have never feared cutting myself there or come close to it. Really surprised to hear all the comments of people scared about it.
It was no surprise to sailors in the 18th century. Many severed parts of their nose when the ship thrust upward. At 65 my hands are a bit shaky and I just don't trust myself doing that pass. I give you credit. You've got balls
Eh, I wanted a nose job anyways!
I have a pencil thin moustache on my upper lip. I shave North to South and then South to North using a 3/8 Henckels twn str8. It is perfect for me. Oh yes, I hydrate the area and make darn sure my razor is optimum condition and the soap is very slick. I call the pass from down to up "The dead man's pass." :tameshigiri:
Guess you pass the, "Smell Test" on that every time...so far....:)Quote:
Originally Posted by BanjoTom
Most I know who do that area use WTG North South, then go XTG from the center of the nose out...seems to be a much safer option....
Phrank, if I shaved XTG I would be cutting into that carefully groomed mustache. Sure don't want that result. Up - down and then a direction reversal is working perfect for me. But thanks for your suggestion.
I'm in the same boat and never do I south to north stroke. I add about 45 degrees to an ATG pass going from the corner of my mouth up to my nostril. Gets pretty darn smooth and rarely is there blood. lol
Marines always go straight away. It's the way of the warrior.