Thread: ATF on upper lip question.

I have found that the 'fools pass' is a true test of the razors edge - if it not 'just right' it will not work well.
Don't get tempted to use more pressure to get it done 'cause that is a recipe for disaster - less is more in this case.
I have found that a very low angle and fresh, slick lather and very light pressure is the key.
I often use both hands to hold the blade still and 'rock' my head up and down with my tongue under the top lip to keep it stretched tight.
Some youtube vidoes show this method.
I hope it works out for you and your nose remains intact.
Hang on and enjoy the ride

Even when I puff out the upper lip I get catches and weepers. I do a couple of XTG and the final ATG catches less.

You have to out think the whiskers on the ATG pass on the upper lip. In this area, the growth direction is very downward toward the lip. On the ATG pass, the whiskers deflect the blade down into the skin. Knowing this will happen, you have to fool the whiskers into cooperating with you to get a close shave. That is not easy because that means they have to commit suicide for you to achieve their goal. They don't want to do that so they have to be tricked. Two tips:

1. If your blade isn't sharp, don't bother with the Fool's Pass.
2. Keep the blade parallel to the skin, slightly above skin level. The whiskers, not knowing what you are up to, will drag the edge down toward the skin, and you'll get a very close shave. You can get close with no cuts this way. I don't like to use the BBS word, but, well, whatever!

What works for me when I do an ATG on my upper lip is ZERO pressure (same advice as ace -- just different wording), with very short, very slight, guillotine strokes, except for the philtrum which requires a straight buffing stroke. Also, I adjust the low angle of the blade to match the point of skin where my edge is in contact. That came to me when reading someone's advice to practice with a golf ball and butter knife to visualize proper technique for shaving a chin. I found it necessary because my upper lip is not as flat as a hone. The above, plus the confidence that "this is something I can do" gets me successfully through this final step of a satisfying shave.
Namaste,
Morty -_-

Besides the edge being really sharp and the very low angle and pressure, (and this might be hard to picture) I hold the razor with both hands stationary and move my face, that way I don't lose control of the blade and won't lose my nose in the process! lol!

I never go ATG anywhere but my neck . I only need to go WTG , and XTG , anywhere else . And I don't have a mustache or gotee , either .

I have to agree with the others , this is definatly a two handed manuver. Good luck.

I don't really have the stomach/nerves yet for ATG on my upper lip. I typically leave it at good enough with WTG-XTG passes. If I am feeling really adventurous, I will do a A/XTG pass, where I shave 45 degrees to the grain (southeast to northwest type direction).

For me the fools pass is the only way to ge ta smooth upper lip. As well as almost zero pressure and blade angle, I find that the blade must be truely sharp. I can shave with a blade that is almost perfect, but not quite. But for the fools pass the blade must be truely sharp. The fools pass is the ultimate test of blade sharpness.

I tried going ATG this morning on my upper lip, and quickly decided to switch to XTG. My two passes XTG were great. Just had the little bit of trouble right by my nostril where I can't seem to get to the hair, but hey... Practice will get me there. I am just really nervous about pointing that edge at my nose. I think that's why I had a little line of hair right underneath my ear as well... Or I just missed it. Lots of good info here though, thanks all.