Thread: Asking advice for the left side of my face...

Hi Gents,
I am a 50-yr-old "Newbie" who has been "wet shaving" for many years (bearing in mind that I have sported a beard for about 15 of those years) with the common, over-the-counter Gillette, Shick, or whatever was on sale blade. The latest was when Gillette sent me a free "Fusion" razor in the mail. Maybe it is mid-life crisis, but I have always wanted to be able to shave with a real straight edge blade. After reading Christopher Moss' article on the Internet, I decided to go for it. I purchased a great straight-edge razor, hand honed, along with all the necessary accompaniments for a great shave. I have been practicing, and, with no MAJOR injuries, am quite proud of myself. However, I cannot get a good shave on the left side of my face (I am right-handed). According to Moss' article, you "change hands for the other side of the face". I have absolutely no skills whatsoever with the left hand, and this is how I put the gash on my neck.
I called my 78-yr-old Dad for advice, and he told me that when he turned 18, his father passed down his own straight razor to him - he tried it once, and cut up his face so badly that he never picked it up again and turned to an electric (shiver) razor instead.
So I'm turning to you guys for advice. So far, I am using the straight edge OK, but finish up the left side of my face and neck with the "Fusion", just out of convenience.
Any advice or suggestions? Thanks guys, I'm glad you're here!

The final ATG pass on the left side of the face is done with the right hand, so it should be fairly easy. For starters, you may wish to download Lynn's shaving video from our Help Files section. I found it very helpful for my shaving technique.

Sorry, but I don't know all the acronyms yet. ATG stands for ...?

Against the Grain

ATG = Against the grain

As for changing hands...I just went slowly. I started with the just the sideburn and cheek. As I grew more comfortable I started doing my chin and neck. It probably took one month before I could shave my face and neck using both hands and not relying on the Mach 3.

This is a practiced skill and with time it comes more easily. I'll also warn you that your standard of a "good" shave will rise along with your growing skill.

Ray

Like I said...I'm a "Newbie". Bob

I used to have, what I considered, a handsome handlebar moustache. My first mistake with the straight-edge was not realizing how long the blade is. I cut off the first curl of the right side within my first couple of sweeps of the razor...then had to use the scissors to even things out.

When you're finishing off your face with the against the grain pass, you use the right hand on the left side of your face and it becomes a lot easier.

Originally Posted by Bob0425

I used to have, what I considered, a handsome handlebar moustache. My first mistake with the straight-edge was not realizing how long the blade is. I cut off the first curl of the right side within my first couple of sweeps of the razor...then had to use the scissors to even things out.

Man, that's so depressing. A good handlebar moustache is a thing of beauty. How long will it take you to grow it back?

Not nearly as long as it will to shave it completely off!! Just kidding, I can barely stand the idea of a nice handlebar being whacked off by accident. One of the best suggestions I got was to build up the coordination in my left hand by brushing my teeth with only my left hand for about two weeks (this was before my razor arrived, so I had some lead time). When I first started, I dedicated myself to using both hands, and only on the appropriate side of the face, except for the upwards strokes on the neck, which requires the opposite hand. Others will have more advice.