Thread: Single Hand Straight Razor Shaving

I have progressed on my straight razor shaving to the point where I'm shaving both cheeks and partially down the neck below the cheeks. No problems, except that I don't feel that I have any control of the razor with my left hand so I've been doing all the shaving with my right hand. It feels right for me and I feel in control. Any problems in my future being a right hand only shaver? I was also wondering about a "practice" straight razor. I've looked at a lot of videos and read a lot of articles on straight razor shaving. No one has ever talked about using a "dull" straight razor for practice and get some of the razor handling into muscle memory. Is there a reason there isn't a "practice razor" for newbies? Thanks in advance for any guidance.

RBFH1

Well the reason you feel that way is muscle memory. Now I take it that you are a right hander? That is the reason you are so unsteady. Now to be honest with you, as someone who is well versed in psychology, your best learning tool will be your razor in your non-dominant hand. You will be evenore cautious about cutting yourself that youay very well come out with a clean shave. It just takes practice. Now the issue with the "practice razor" is that you will never learn the angle that you need to hold the razor to actually shave unless you do it.

I used a plastic knife from Bojangles to practice stropping and shaving with the non dominant hand.

each to his or her own. I'm a right hand shaver only myself. it just seems to work better for me. now I have known people who could write with either hand use a knife and fork with either hand but some of us don't. now i'm not saying I can't use my left for some things but when it comes to a sharp object next to my face not in this lifetime. I shoot a pistol, drive, turn wrenches (i'm a retired mechanic and welder) and type with either hand. . For those of you that shave with both hands my hats off to you but as the man said MANS GOT TO KNOW HIS LIMITAIONS also each person should progress at there on speed

Right hander only here.

Yes there are some "creative" ways I have to hold the razor to get to certain spots, but it works pretty good for me.

Single handed is not a problem at all. If it feels comfortable and you get good results why change. As for a practice razor I've recommended this to a bunch of new shavers. I did it myself and still occasionally pull it out to try a movement I've read about. You can definitely learn a lot this way and you can easily monitor your angles. I just picked up a Gold Dollar off fleabay and dulled the edge.

I had the same trepidation about using my non dominate hand which would be my left hand. I took it easy and eventually got comfortable with using both hands to shave with. The only pass I do entirely with my right hand is the ATG pass for some reason. That said, if you can do all the passes using one hand and are comfortable with it then why not. There is no law that says you must use both hands and I am sure everyone does not shave exactly the same way. Take it easy and figure out what works for you.

Bob

Like Chevhead, I learned one handed and have developed a "flow" and habit patterns that work for me just fine.

the only problem with using one hand is.....sometimes when crossing over to shave the left side of your face, your view of the mirror could be blocked by your forearm.

Now the practice razor thing is good in theory but you could practice with a butter knife and achieve the same result.

I'm leftie,

I use both hands to shave, I did try to use a shavette with the blade removed to practice but it didn't really help. My right hand still isn't as good as my left in my opinion however my face gets shaved equally well on both sides.

I used struggle looking in the mirror when using my right hand, but now I have changed the angle at which I look, I tilt my head down and slightly sideways to see as I start and change position as I need to. It's become second nature but it sure isn't symmetrical in position for the shave compared to when shaving the other side of my face.

I guess I have accepted that i'm left handed and my brain and hand work better that way, however I feel confident to shave and shave well with my right hand though my brain says this is odd… which of course it is to my left sided brain…..