My 1st stright razor shave (ouch)

**JimW** · 10-01-2013, 12:57 AM

So I have come to realize that I will not be able to use my weaker hand to shave so I will be forced to shave both sides of my face using my left hand. I ended with at least 4 cuts all when using my right hand. I can see it will be a sight limiting problem using just 1 hand but I don't have much of a choice. One question is it ok to rinse between passes and re-oil with the pre oil? I thing that my burn might have been a little better if I had put more oil on.

I did get a nice close shave but some spots were too close.

Not giving up yet.

**Lynn** · 10-01-2013, 01:05 AM

http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...ead-first.html

Have fun

**Chugach68** · 10-01-2013, 01:42 AM

I only use my dominant hand, I know the purists will say use both but I am too uncoordinated with my left, and I don't want to bleed out while I learn.

**TulaneBoy** · 10-01-2013, 02:24 AM

I only use my right hand. I don't feel like I am missing out on anything. Do it your way.

**Chugach68** · 10-01-2013, 02:46 AM

I look at it as preparing for the loss of my left hand/arm in a horrible industrial accident. Just hope I don't lose the right........

**SirStropalot** · 10-01-2013, 03:30 AM

Hi Jim,

Nothing wrong with using just your dominate hand, lots of guys here shave that way. I wish I could so I could use my Kamisori's correctly. I'm a two hander and for me the left hand was the challenge. Everything in the mirror was backwards when I tried to use the left. It came around very quickly though and became the more proficient of the two.....and still is.

I tried pre shave oil early on. I thought it would make the shave go more smooth, but, it didn't make my razor sharper or improve my technique one bit, and those two things were the real problem. Not very good stropping and too steep of an angle with the blade. Prep and lather were a little lacking as well.

Here's a couple of videos that might help. The first is by Glen, gssixgun showing the shave test. It's good for also showing prep and good technique. The second is by Lynn showing lathering.

Hope these help,

and Good Shaves!!

Howard

What is "The Shave Test" for a Straight Razor - YouTube

**PLJ** · 10-01-2013, 03:41 AM

I'm a one handed bandit myself . Do what works best for you, most of all have fun

**carlmaloschneider** · 10-01-2013, 03:56 AM

Hi, welcome to the forum. Did you say this was your first straight razor shave? If so, may I respectfully suggest that realising at this point in time that you can only use the dominant hand is a little pre-emptive so to speak.

I felt a lot like that too, and many have also felt the same, but with a little practice I came to be able to use both hands with ease.

I suggest you practice using a butter knife, you'll soon teach your self to use both hands.

Having said that, as some have said, using just the one hand is not a problem...

A lot of people re-apply a pre-shave oil in between passes. I used to always use a pre-shave oil, I think it helps when one is a beginner; I don't use it these days.

However, I would NOT be doing more than one pass at this stage.

**edhewitt** · 10-01-2013, 05:49 AM

Hurrah, another one hand shaving lefty, me too, the sight lines aren't really a problem. You just need to be a bit creative with your hands in regards to stretching and razor grip. My right feels like it belongs to someone else. I have used it but find it so hard that u just don't.

**JimW** · 10-01-2013, 04:49 PM

Normally I would agree 1 time is not enough data to make a call 1 way or another. However, I did a ton of reading and youtube watching and agree both hands would be better but when I actually tried it I found out a problem I had and was not a wear of. About 25 years ago I had a shop accident that mangled my middle finger and when I try to hold the razor with my 2 fingers infront of the pivot on the spline I dont have good enough control on the angle and I dont think i will ever get there. My thoughts are master the 1 handed way and maybe a few years from now try both hands again. For now I'm a 1 handed lefty so be it.
Also to everyone out there that has posted how too and what nots awesome work guys it has all been super helpful.

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