X-Man's Blue Plate Special
Gentlemen,
I have SRP member X-Man to thank for his Fool's Pass or, as I like to refer to it, X-Man's Blue Plate Special. By Jove, it has done wonders in helping me get a smooth shave in the mustache area going against the grain. That is the only way I can get a relatively smooth shave on the upper lip, since with the grain and across the grain only make the stubborn patch of hair wag its tongue at me.
X-Man's Fool's Pass, in his fine shaving video, calls for holding the razor with two hands — one to hold the blade and the other lead it upward while keeping total control. I imagine one can try to head north on the upper lip using one hand, but the likelihood of an accident is great, and it could result in the shaver being minus a beak.
So, my dear X-Man, thank you for showing the way to the Coup de Maitre nirvana.
I have thought of donating my beard stubble to the U.S. Army to use in reinforcing tank traps. The blasted upper lip bush, especially, is tough enough and heavy enough to help thwart any armored attack.
Being a full-blooded Assyrian (Assyrian-American), I come with a tenacious spirit and a mighty heavy beard. The Assyrians are the Biblical people, you might recall. The Assyrian empire flourished in Mesopotamia, the area of present day Iraq, before falling in 612 B.C. Through their tenacity, the Assyrian people have survived all these years and kept their nationality.
But back to the heavy beard. Mine is heavy. Even after all this time with a straight razor, I still continue my struggle in defeating a couple irritating patches of stubble here and there. The mustache area is a notable one. Until X-Man's Blue Plate Special, no creative razor angle was of any help. Without going against the grain on the upper lip, I remained plagued by razor sharp landmines above my kisser.
I have worked with this pass for the past few days. Although I still feel some tiny rough patches on the upper lip, I am happy to report that I am making major progress.
This is a dangerous move. It calls for steady hands and the lightest pressure one can exert. It works, gentlemen. For me. It might not work for you. So I endorse it only for me. In a week or so I will master it and consequently become one happy fellow. Now if I could only find a solution for the other stubborn areas.
So again, my dear X-Man, thank you for demonstrating that move in your video. My Hollywood face will be eternally in your debt.
Regards,
Obie
X-Man's Blue Plate Special
My dear Seraphim,
I tried going north on the mustache area one-handed two or three times and thought it chancy. When I saw X-Man's video, I thought that was the right solution for someone with a heavy beard.
The way I do the mustache area now is with the grain on the first pass, as usual. The second pass is across the grain from the sides to the middle, or middle to the sides, as my usual. X-Man's Blue Plate Special is reserved for the third and the last pass. Of course, I do stretch by puffing up the upper lip. This gives me enough stretch and also two hands to control the blade.
It is working for me. I recommend, as you so wisely have, to be careful with these moves. A steady hand is of the utmost importance — steady hands, in my case, I should say.
My dear Stefan,
I saw X-Man's video somewhere on SRP. I have no idea how to direct you to it. You know me with these computing machine thingies. I'll probably end up blowing up the whole SRP site. Somebody at SRP must know. I am sure the gentlemen Moderators or the Mentors must know where to find it. Perhaps David Wessel. I think it is a very well done video. So congratulations to X-Man for the good work.
Regards,
Obie
