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rbscebu
Girls call me Makaluod
You are going well. Far better than I was doing at your stage of development.Tried it again tonight...it's getting easier!
You are going well. Far better than I was doing at your stage of development.Tried it again tonight...it's getting easier!
Thanks! I'll look into that.@pwheeler, pasted balsa strops cannot be just bought. You need to put together your own. How to make and use them is given in Annex II of the Traditional SR Shaving Instructions:
Traditional Straight Razor Shaving Instructions for Beginners
The attached are instructions for beginners in the gentlemanly art of traditional straight razor shaving. Updated instructions will be posted in this thread as they are developed. To keep this thread reasonably clean and easy to read, please post any comments/suggestions in this thread and ask...www.badgerandblade.com
I wasn't suppose to try that on my first SR shave? Oops! I managed to not cut myself much at all through that shave but I remember ATG was tricky.The information in this post is based on my experience with performing about 800 daily SR fool's passes.
The fool's pass is shaving S - N on the upper lip. It is not a pass for everyone. Most people have whiskers growing about N - S on their upper lip so the fool's pass is considered here to be ATG.
Why do a fool's pass?
When should you try doing a fool's pass? Many suggest that you don't try a fool's pass until you have about 100 daily SR shaves under your belt. That is about right but it really depends on if you have mastered controlling your straight razor(s). Once you are confident that you have your control, then and only then try a fool's pass.
- The challenge. Mastering the fool's pass shows you that you have developed your SR shaving technique to another level.
- A longer lasting BBS finish on an area of your face that may have the toughest and fastest growing whiskers.
- To test the condition of your SR's edge. This is probably the ultimate shave test for an edge.
What you need is a SR with an edge as keen as or better than some of the keenest DE blades out there. How you achieve that SR edge is up to you. You will also need well hydrated whiskers and a very good slick lather on your upper lip.
Everyone face is different so the following may not be the best for you. This is just what I have found when performing a fool's pass.
It is probably best to perform at least a WTG pass on your upper lip before the fool's pass. Then relather your upper lip.
Depending on what is best for your face, stretch the skin of your upper lip. This can be done by pushing your upper lip out with your tongue or stretching your upper lip over your upper teeth.
When starting out with learning the fool's pass, it is probably best to hold the SR with both hands, one hand holding the heel end of the spine and the other holding the toe end of the spine. Then shave S - N by either gently nodding your head or moving your razor or a bit of both. For me, I found it best to keep my head still and move the SR.
In a full stroke S - N, do it with little up and down movements of the blade (like buffing). This will help protect your nose and you will soon get use to it. You will probably have to overlap the areas shaved with each stroke to try and ensure that you get all those pesky little whiskers.
The main thing is to take things slowly and carefully. There is no rush - after all, you are SR shaving.
As your fool's pass skills develop, you will find that you can do it holding the blade with just one hand while your other hand reaches for your cup of tea/coffee to sip between strokes.
Don't be too afraid. When ready, give it a go. You might soon surprise yourself with the skills that you are developing.
Personal tip from my experience - and please do not take this as prescription, because so much of this is about what you feel comfortable with - but I've long found anything needing fine precision, I like to use the heel for because my fingers are right there controlling it with the smallest movements.
Just a thought, I tend to do everything on upper lip with mostly the heel because of this.
So for anyone - if you feel comfortable with the heel, perhaps try focusing on it in this area.
I also concur with your advice, particularly for those starting out on their initial fool's passes, although I have never done that.Personal tip from my experience - and please do not take this as prescription, because so much of this is about what you feel comfortable with - but I've long found anything needing fine precision, I like to use the heel for because my fingers are right there controlling it with the smallest movements.
Just a thought, I tend to do everything on upper lip with mostly the heel because of this.
So for anyone - if you feel comfortable with the heel, perhaps try focusing on it in this area.
Only those how couldn't successfully perform the coques de maître.This discussion may have something to do with the fact that in the 1890's virtually every shaver shaved with a straight razor AND had a large mustache. Yes?
Corrected.Only those who couldn't successfully perform the coups de maître.
Perhaps if you consider calling it the "master pass" you might better understand.....
What am I missing? Why is it called a fool's pass?
Perhaps if you consider calling it the "master pass" you might better understand.