Thread: Looking for tips...

I am about a half dozen shaves into my straight razor experience, doing well as I have almost no red on my face when I am done now. Much better than before.

I am right handed, both cheeks and left side under my chin are great, but I have problems getting close under my right side.

I almost tried with my left hand, but I couldn't get a comfortable grip and I am afraid ill loose a lot more than stubble if I shave with that hand, so everything is right handed. WTG part is great, but the second pass ATG never seems to feel comfortable.

Any tips besides more practice? and start switching hands?

thanks


Richard

Richard, I had the same issues when I started. I practiced with both hands and now I don't have the issue at all. I would say practice as much as you can with that left hand and you'll find yourself using your left hand for your entire right side.
Just one man's opinion!

It will come in time. You only have 6 shaves. Give it another 30 to 60.

Not really any tricks or secrets, you just have to practice and play with blade angles. It's just one of those things you have to learn by doing. Under the jaw took me a while to get correct too.

On a side note, there's no rule that says you have to shave ambidextrously. There are users here that shave exclusively with their dominant hand and have no issue. You just have to figure out what works for you.

Does not matter, I have always shaved with one hand, you just have to learn which ever method you decide on.

If you are having trouble with ATG, chances are it is your razors keenness. Get some magnification 60x, a couple bucks on line and look at the edge.

It is not uncommon for new shavers to dull or damage a shave ready edge by stropping. Learning to strop can take a while to learn and just one errant lap can dull an edge.

If you are thinking of switching hands try practicing with a butter knife until you get angle and pressure down and at the same time you will develop muscle memory. And, Practice! Practice! Practice! The added bonus with this method....no blood! By using this method I am able to shave WTG, XTG and AGT with both hands.

Thanks for all the advice. Good to know that I am not the only one that is shaving one handed.

Regarding keenness: I dont know that that is an issue yet, it shaves OK on the other 3/4 ATG, its just a matter of getting the blade at the right angle (both angle of attack and getting my hand in the write angle to go ATG)

Butter knife I will give a try, but I am feeling the correct angle of the blade more than seeing it, so it will help with grip, but not sure how well it will do for the rest. But I will give it a try =)

Many folks don't give their non-dominant hand enough credit, and I was in this group until I began shaving with straight razors. I realized from my mountain biking experience that my left hand was pretty good with braking and steering control, so why not give that mitt a chance to shave?

Sure, it was slow and awkward at first, but by the time I neared 100 shaves, I was very satisfied with my decision. For me, I was more comfortable going ambidextrously rather than contorting my right hand to reach my goal. Moreover, the more difficult ATG passes on the chin and mustache area can still be achieved pretty much using your dominant hand only. Gaining confidence with the easier XTG/ATG areas on the neck, jaw, and cheeks does not take too long.

Use a nice keen snapped-in-half DE blade in a shavette every now and then to provide a reference as to how keen your straight is.

ATG, for me, is only possible with a really keen edge. I use a hand on either end of the blade to guide the ATG pass, which I only do under my chin and beneath my lower lip. In all other areas my skin is not comfortable with ATG pass.

For training your non-dominant hand; Start off only doing your WTG pass on your cheek with the non-dominant hand and build slowly from there.

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When you are learning any technique, with straight razors, (shaving, honing or stropping) the key is, eliminate as many variables as possible and look to the most likely as the cause.

You can compensate for a weak or slightly dulling edge with experience and technique to get through a shave.

But a properly honed edge will shave regardless of technique, or preparation, and the most likely cause of poor ATG shaving is a damaged edge, it does not need to be destroyed, just damaged. A single miss-stroke on a strop can damage an edge.

Any time an edge fails to shave properly, in any orientation, stop and look at the edge, at least eliminate, that, as a possibility. It only takes literally, a second and should always be your first step in diagnosing a shaving problem.