Thread: Both hands shaving necessary?

Both hands.

I shave with my left hand only and have been for the last year. Kamisori razor, so no scales, if that makes any difference. That's not to say I will never try to incorporate my mostly useless right hand into the shave, but for now, I'm doing just fine with the left.

I've never really bothered using both, it was a bit awkward and since I was getting excellent results with just my dominant hand I gave up trying to use my lefty, however I do find that it requires a little bit more dexterity with just one hand. It would have been a useful skill for me to learn with both hands but not necessary, comfort was more of a factor.

Originally Posted by eddy79

I started using the second hand after shaving for a while and found it gave better access to some areas and allows different angles. It does take getting used to but after a while it seems unusual to use the dominant hand on the whole face now.

A barber only needs one hand because he can move around you head to get any angle they wish. That is why two hands makes it easier to get angles the dominant hand just can't do

Barbers using just one hand still have to use a 'backhand' stroke at times - imagine a right handed barber shaving a customer's right hand cheek, the razor toe is pointing at the ear making an easy WTG stroke. When he moves to the customer's left cheek, the barber will either use the 'backhand' stroke for an ATG or switch to a XTG stroke moving away from the ear. In point of fact, it would make more sense to use his left hand so that the toe is again pointing to the ear.

I use both I have pretty dexterous hands although I'm right handed I play golf and cricket left handed.

Originally Posted by celticcrusader

I use both I have pretty dexterous hands although I'm right handed I play golf and cricket left handed.

I've known some guys who batted right but threw left.

Originally Posted by rolodave

I use both hands with a SR but only the favored right hand with a DE.

This is what I do too.

Teach yourself to use both hands...much easier....and hey ...us straight shavers are always up for a challenge...or we'd be using using plastic disposables.

Both hands but then again I'm ambidextrous. Before I knew this fact though, I initially started shaving with straights using my dominant (right) hand only. Relegating yourself to just your dominant hand certainly increases the shaving difficulty but not terribly so. Most as you can plainly see eventually overcome this effect.

However, once you get your straight razor, do try using your non-dominant hand on just say the cheek flat. See how it goes. Make an informed decision and go with it!

Either way you are still shaving in the coolest manner possible. YMMV and all that...

I've always been the worlds least ambidextrous person. Except for shaving where I go back and forth as feels natural.