Thread: Coup de Maitre

Gentlemen,

Do you experts know the historic origin of the term "Coup de Maitre" (Master Stroke) as it refers to the intricate straight razor strokes in the mustache area?

If this topic has been covered in the past, I apologize for having missed it.

Regards,

Obie

Is this the stroke that Xman does in his video (in the videos section?)

andy

I dont know about the origins of the coupe de maite but on the x-man video he demonstrates a fools pass for the upper lip, I just watched it for the first time and was blown away.

Andy,

I came across this term when I first began shaving with a straight razor. I am not familiar with the video to which you refer, but I would assume the reference might be correct. It's the razor stroke above the mustache that always gives one the feeling of walking on tip toes around the guillotine.

At one time I might have researched the origin of the term, although I am not sure. Perhaps not. For some reason tonight I thought of it.

Regards,

Some of us old timers got together one night and thought the term sounded cool so we thought we would use it for that particular shaving maneuver.
Don't believe me? Ask Lynn!


Sorry, can't help you.

My dear JMS,

Your explanation of the Coup de Maitre history sounds colorful, but somehow I feel a tickle in the back of my neck.

By the way, I just saw X-Man's shaving video. It is well done. From what I can see, though, he seems to have a light beard. I envy him.

My beard is so heavy you can use it to weave a carpet.

Regards,

Obie

Obie I assume you know what the coup de maitre is and I cannot tell you where the phrase originated but here is a little mini explanation of the technique from Razor Central.

I'm always shocked to find out that the methods I've been using, because I couldn't think of any better way to do them, are considered to be dangerous and foolhardy.

So much for book lernin'

I do a fools pass and think nothing of it. Shallow angle and careful fingers : )

If you are like me and wondered the correct pronunciation, it's on this page.

Coup de maitre Definition | Definition of Coup de maitre at Dictionary.com