Thread: Under the nose

Second shave with a straight this AM and it went well, nice and smooth, even got the chin shaved smooth. When I started to shave under my nose I could not get it, in the end I took out my safety razor and finished the job. Is there some specific technique to shaving from the nose down to the upper lip? It seems if I am going to slice myself this is where its going to happen.

If it's a round point you gotta angle it slightly to get there..you will get there I'm sure with experimenting...Spike, french point (oblique) and barber notches are easier to get there IMO as less steel is there to get in the way

Do a search for ""Coup de Maitre", there's a couple good videos that show the proper technique. Basically you have to start by matching the angle of the nasal septum (usually a very high angle) and gradually reduce that angle with a "scooping" movement. It sounds harder than it is, the trick is to use a continuous motion.

Look up Jockeys video on the coupe de maitre, its a good one. I've found that piercing my lips to stretch along with slightly pulling up on my nose helped.

I get my best under the nose shave by coming in from the right or left. The "scooping" isn't a problem for me, as it will not be for you soon enough - but the coming in from left and right is closer for me - YMMV.

Originally Posted by earcutter

I get my best under the nose shave by coming in from the right or left. The "scooping" isn't a problem for me, as it will not be for you soon enough - but the coming in from left and right is closer for me - YMMV.

Yeah, I guess that's what many of us do.

A downward Coup de Maitre for the first pass, then in from the sides on the second, and finally the fool's pass (up towards the nose)as the third.

Be careful though, that third pass is called what it is for a reason, it takes good technique and skills.

Thanks for the replies and I see what you mean about "scooping", in that video he makes it look so easy. I'll have to practice that technique for sure.

Originally Posted by Ryan82

Do a search for ""Coup de Maitre", there's a couple good videos that show the proper technique. Basically you have to start by matching the angle of the nasal septum (usually a very high angle) and gradually reduce that angle with a "scooping" movement. It sounds harder than it is, the trick is to use a continuous motion.

Yes this, but also remember to tighten the top lip!!!
By this I mean you need to move your top lip to cover your upper teeth. That will allow you to shave it perfectly. Be careful to use light strokes here, otherwise you will find some of your skin is missing afterwards...