Thread: shaving mustache help

For what it's worth: to me the moustache area, together with the centre patch just below the lower lip, is the trickiest bit too, and I found it helps to use my tongue to stretch from the inside, pushing it between the lips and teeth.

for me going from face -> nose is ATG.

This is the true test for me of shave ready. If razor is not sharp enough, there will be blood.

I keep the razor almost flat and do Blade Buffing.

*note. i make sure to at least do a WTG pass before attempting the atg....

You guys who can do ATG on the upper lip are in a league of your own. I put the razor up to my lip after watching the fools pass video thinking that does not look too bad.... Forget it, it felt like standing on the edge of a very steep cliff looking down and trying to rationalize the little step you had to make.
I know you mentioned different types of razors, but i find the best for that area are french points, ones with barber's notches and if you make that move under the nose where the blade is comming right at you then you quickly roll the blade once it clears your nose, is a real petite 3/8s. These days i don't normaly do that last one mentioned but the barbers notch and french pts are worth a try as they give you a little more meneuverability to hit the whiskers at an angle.(Scything)
Good Luck
Mike

Lots of good advice. I will add some of my own and hope it too is good!

Moustache area:

1. Be sure to go WTG first. For me this is NOT N-S. It is approx WNW-ESE from the center out and down (on one side and symmetrical on the other). Find your own direction.
2. Now be sure to get XTG from opposite sides perpendicular to your WTG pass.
3. I continue with near ATG, but not directly ATG
4. Finally, ATG.
5. S-N is one of my near ATG passes and I do this, and the actual ATG pass, using little circular motions. This gets a nice slicing action and limits the motion of the razor so there is nearly no danger of slicing into the nose.
6. For ATG and near ATG the blade is FLAT against the skin, spine touching. This prevents nicks and weepers, assuming the pressure against the skin is nearly non-existent.
7. I stretch the skin against the teeth just by making "funny faces", not with fingers. I only shave the little bit of beard area that is well stretched and pretty flat, probably just under a quarter of an inch (guessing, didn't measure).

That's a lot of shaving, but it what it takes for me. I am very careful to apply the absolute minimum of pressure and keep the angle as flat as possible on the tough passes so it actually does not give me any irritation at all. It did in the past, but I have gotten better at it.

Still, I sometimes get sloppy and let the angle get a little to steep on an ATG pass and get a minor nick. I hate it when that happens. It is pure laziness and/or lack of attention. Not "in the zone".

SUPER ADVANCED: As I became comfortable with the above I found that I could actually move the skin under the blade (kind of rolling it over the edge of the teeth) in combination with the shaving strokes to make the whole thing a little more efficient. That also lessened the tendency to push the blade into the nose.

I like a lot of the information you guys have posted. All very useful, but i think im going to have to switch to a straight razor blade to be able to shave efficiently and also learn how to use it as well. Ive been using disposable gilette blades and what not but they're just not doin the job. can you guys recommend me a set for these straight razor blades for a beginner and maybe help me look for a tutorial either video or text that can help me. I want to get into this whole straight razor era.

Originally Posted by seishun

I like a lot of the information you guys have posted. All very useful, but i think im going to have to switch to a straight razor blade to be able to shave efficiently and also learn how to use it as well. Ive been using disposable gilette blades and what not but they're just not doin the job. can you guys recommend me a set for these straight razor blades for a beginner and maybe help me look for a tutorial either video or text that can help me. I want to get into this whole straight razor era.

I would start out by reading through the SRP Beginners Guide.
Straight Razor Place Wiki:Books/Beginners Guide - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Buying... You have the option of going used vintage. The SRP Classifieds is a great choice for this.

If you want to go the new route. There are many excellent vendors that sell used and new.

Off the top of my head...

US Based:
http://www.StaightRazorDesigns.com
http://www.Classicshaving.com
RupRazor

I'm sure i'm missing some. There are also some excellent Canadian and UK Vendors.

Originally Posted by seishun

I like a lot of the information you guys have posted. All very useful, but i think im going to have to switch to a straight razor blade to be able to shave efficiently and also learn how to use it as well. Ive been using disposable gilette blades and what not but they're just not doin the job. can you guys recommend me a set for these straight razor blades for a beginner and maybe help me look for a tutorial either video or text that can help me. I want to get into this whole straight razor era.

No wonder you have been getting irritation. Just click on the classified and go shopping and you will save lots of money and your face. Make sure you ask for one that come "shave ready" this way you won't have anything to worry about. Also tell them that you are a beginer so they will prepare the blade so it is friendly and help you pick one out that shaves easy. Not all blades shave the same and certain style blades need a beginers set up so the point won't nick you.
Mike

Originally Posted by seishun

I like a lot of the information you guys have posted. All very useful, but i think im going to have to switch to a straight razor blade to be able to shave efficiently and also learn how to use it as well. Ive been using disposable gilette blades and what not but they're just not doin the job. can you guys recommend me a set for these straight razor blades for a beginner and maybe help me look for a tutorial either video or text that can help me. I want to get into this whole straight razor era.

I made the switch about 7+ month ago from the Mach 3. I first started out with a cheap disposable straight that took a nice sharp blade which lasted about 5 shaves. It was my way of seeing if I liked it enough and to break the curiosity factor. Thus, I didn't need to hone or worry about stropping and can focus on lathering and technique. I did pick up Col. Conk shaving soap and a best pure badger brush. These two items will still be used whether your pursue straight shaving or not and serve you well.

For my first straight, I purchased a Dovo Special Tortoise and I think it is one of the best straight blades for a beginner. It shaves well, is less prone to give weepers, and takes an edge well when stropping. It is also priced well.

One more to add to the list of on-line vendors Straight Razor : Double Edge Razor : Shaving Products Supplies : Merkur Safety Razor : Badger Shaving Brush : Men's Grooming Products : VintageBladesllc.com Jim got me started out with my first purchases.

Read up on the SRP Wiki as advised earlier and keep the Mach 3 around as you may need it to help out as you learn. Thats what I did, but before I knew it, I hardly used my Mach 3. Occasionally, it will get used to clean up a tiny matter on dry skin. Since I started Straight Razor Shaving, I only went through 1.5 Mach 3 cartridges in the last 7 months.

It was a great decision for me to make the switch and now I own 4 straight razors with another one on the way!

Good Luck!

Pabster

Alright guys thanks for the SRB stuff that im gooing to check out right away. Pretty exciting stuff if you ask me. I also needed one to clean up parts of my face anyway and to do my lineup and straighten out my bushy eyebrows so this will definitley be a sure fire deal for me. Thanks for everything. Peace.