Thread: Mandatory to use left hand?

Originally Posted by BobH

There are few things shaving related that are written in stone as a "must" do it this way. I trained myself from the beginning to use both hands with a SR but I still shave using only my right with a DE. Whatever gets you there safely.

Bob

Every time I hear Lynn say "I strongly suggest" I assume that he means it's set in stone. But as other users have commented, all that matters is what works for you. Hopefully I can learn with my left. Thanks for taking the time out and replying.

Originally Posted by hotreffys

Every time I hear Lynn say "I strongly suggest" I assume that he means it's set in stone. But as other users have commented, all that matters is what works for you. Hopefully I can learn with my left. Thanks for taking the time out and replying.

No doubt it is good advice strongly suggested. Once I got past the initial jitters of using my left hand too I found it convenient for different strokes and passes. I took my time and did not push things stopping when I felt uncomfortable.

I think there are only about 3 things set in stone for getting a good shave; having a sharp blade, making a good lather and having a good shaving technique. Getting there is another thing altogether and there are many ways to get there.

Bob

This is truly one of those sports where there are a lot of ways to get to success and personal preference plays a large part in everything from shaving tools to soaps to stones, to strops, to aftershaves, colognes and on and on. When I give advice to someone, it is not only because something works well for me every day, it is because I am trying to find ways for new people to become successful in being able to really enjoy shaving with a straight razor as quickly as they can. In virtually every case out there the only limit to your success is you. We are all created differently and some people simply learn quicker or have less problems than others. It is very rare when someone can simply pick up a straight razor and shave well with both hands.

There are really two reasons that I strongly suggest that people learn to use both hands when shaving. The first is that using the off hand very much increases your field of vision as previously mentioned. The second is that when you learn to use your non dominant hand, you will find that your technique dramatically improves as does the quality of your shaves. You are able to use the razor at different angles and perform different strokes that make it much easier to take on parts of your face that are a strain when you reach across and have limited site of that area.

The more you use your non-dominant hand, the better you get in it's use. You don't have to start off shaving your face with your opposite hand. You can as suggested try to write with your other hand. You can also open and close the razor using both hands. You can go through the motion of stropping with the opposite hand and never touch the razor to the strop. You can go through the motion of shaving with the opposite hand and never touch the razor to the face until YOU feel your are ready and when you do feel that you're ready, take it on a little at a time just like when you learned to shave with your dominant hand.

The main thing is to learn to enjoy the experience and using your straight razor. Once you get through the learning curves involved, you usually can't help but have fun and want to learn more.

I sometimes shave with my left foot.