Thread: Finally

Got up the nerve to do the top lip,did it in two goes though over two nights. First night prepped as usual but did top lip and let it soak a little longer due to it being a full blown tache. Shaved the rest of my face first just to get in the right mind set then the first pass. To my surprise it was'nt as bad as I thought it was going to be, I took my time and only went in the one direction. The result was surpisingly good although some light stubble remained. I was tempted to go again but thought I'd been lucky enough and decided not to push my luck. The next night same prep but only on the top lip, once again took my time and only went in the one direction the result was A nigh on perfect BBS top lip and the best part is its lasted even longer than the rest of the face which only goes about two days. The top lip lasted nearly four before reaching the same growth.

Mark (lovin it)

Sounds like you're making sensible progress. The top lip has it's own set of techniques, it's one of the more satisfying places to get a really close shave.

Very nice Mark, glad to see the home-made blades working out for you.

Originally Posted by gregs656

Sounds like you're making sensible progress. The top lip has it's own set of techniques, it's one of the more satisfying places to get a really close shave.

True and the most surprising thing was how clean it looked even the wife pointed that out, saying it made me look as though I'd only washed my top lip (women can't live with em, not allowed to shoot em).

Mark

Originally Posted by Dubs

Very nice Mark, glad to see the home-made blades working out for you.

Thanks. They really do keep surprising me, the better I get at sharpening them (and it does'nt always go right) the easier shaving gets. I made and gave one to a friend last weekend who said he'd like to try one so hopefully will find out tomorrow how he's got on with it. I must say though that I'm finding it easier to shave with the fixed blades than my folder,just seem to get that little more control.

Mark

The japanese did a lot of fixed blade razors. Do you find you need to use both hands with it?

I use a 'japanese' grip for some of my ATG pass, the extra control in blade angle is quite handy for sure.

Yes both hands but only on the cheeks and neck the top lip and chin I do with the same hand. When I started with the straights I decided from the get go to learn to use both hands but being ambidextrous helped a lot.I've still got to manage the against the grain yet, tried it once and got three small nicks for my efforts. The back area of the neck below the ear lobe seems to be the hardest place to master but I'll get there.


Mark

I am quite ambidextrous, do quite a lot of sport with a dominant left side, but not all. Anyway, I didn't choose not to use both hands, I just figured you were supposed to use one and stuck with it.

ATG you want to employ a really shallow angle and little pressure. I do a similar type of scoop as you would use on the top lip on that concave bit of the neck below the ear lobe.

You will get there indeed, and it seems like you're branching out at your own speed, which is the way to do it I think.

Thanks for the tip for the neck, thinking back I was probably using a similar angle as the wtg pass which thinking logically would pull the blade into the skin more without having to use any extra pressure. Will try dropping the blade flat next time and work up from there.
Cheers

Mark ( A day is never wasted if you only learn but one thing )

I don't know how you're grinding your razors, but if they're wedges then give your self a bit of air between the blade and your neck, or the foam can cause a vaccum and suck the blade flat to your skin, which is a little odd.