Thread: Switch hands?

Right with right and left with left. Found it easier than I thought it would be.

Check out Lynn's video online, it's a great wee tutorial on how to shave.

Graham.

When I shave, the face get bisected and I use the right hand on the right side and the left hand on the left side. On the neck, for the upwards strokes, I switch and use the left hand on the right side and vice-versa. Downwards strokes on the neck continue with the bi-section method. Not complicated just something I had to work out for myself through experimentation.

Originally Posted by jimmyman

When I shave, the face get bisected and I use the right hand on the right side and the left hand on the left side. On the neck, for the upwards strokes, I switch and use the left hand on the right side and vice-versa. Downwards strokes on the neck continue with the bi-section method. Not complicated just something I had to work out for myself through experimentation.

That's how I do it , too .

Yes, I should have said that its common to use the right for left and left for right on the upward neck strokes.

I use my dominant hand for shaving and the other for stretching!
Somebody made the comment along the lines that if you don't learn with both hands you will somehow be an inferior shaver, or get inferior shaves. Horse cocky!! I've been shaving for fifteen years with a straight and I do just fine!

Do it how it works best for you. I usually do a full three pass shave and then some touchups. I use both hands:
1st - N-S pass with Right on Right and Left on Left sides.
2nd - Ear to Mid-Line pass with the Right hand on Left side of Face and Vice Versa
3rd - S-N (ATG) angling toward the Ears this time Right hand on Right side of Face and Vice Versa.
Couple of Touch Ups as needed.
Thought changing hands would be hard but found it came pretty naturally after just a little practice.

I am also a new person to the wet / straight shaving world.

About a month or so ago when I 1st put a razor to my face I tried it both ways, first pass trying both hands eg. right hand for the right side and left hand for the left side. Well, for me that left quite a lot to be desired. Even though I can use both very well ( left as well as the right) I tried to just use my right hand (my dominant) for the second pass and felt that I had better control over the razor. Of course it required that I change the way I held the razor and at one point holding it much like a knife using my index finger and middle finger / Thumb on the tang to get the required control over the blade.

For me it was just a personal choice and one where I asked the question, where did I feel I had the best control of the razor. Its a bit of a head stretch too and at times I feel as if I am studying to be a contortionist but hey, I'm having fun , the real hard part though is not breaking out laughing at myself in the mirror at some of those contortions ! I almost really nicked myself bad one morning doing that.

I have only been shaving with a straight for the past couple of weeks, the last shave I did swap hands for each side, and found with a little thought as things are in reverse you can do it, but you will be a lot slower to start, seems the whole thing is a lot about gaining confidence as you persivere . cheers

Originally Posted by heelerau

I have only been shaving with a straight for the past couple of weeks, the last shave I did swap hands for each side, and found with a little thought as things are in reverse you can do it, but you will be a lot slower to start, seems the whole thing is a lot about gaining confidence as you persivere . cheers

This is very true!

Since I started using Straights I've always used both hands. Right side of face, right hand and so on. Right hand to trim left side of mustache. Right hand to shave against the grain on left face. Keep at it, it will get easier.