Razor holding technique

OK...I didn't post upon my first shave a few days ago. My first "shave" was only about half my face. Did good and didn't cut myself. The next day I shaved my entire face. What razor burn. Last night was my third shave, much better, but I thought I'd post here to try and get some techniques. I searched the forums a bit and didn't see anything. There's some videos on youtube, but I'd rather hear it from you.

Got about a 3/4" cut on my cheek the third time. :) Really shallow, no big deal, but I got the smoothest shave yet with the blade.

My main issue, is trying to contort my hand to get the right shave under my neck. As a person really new, a sticky might be helpful too.

BTW...my father-in-law happened to have 1 1/2 razors in his basement from an auction find. I've got two DMT's on order (get here Tuesday) and I'm going to pick up a 12K at woodcraft. CAN'T WAIT.

When I first started shaving with a straight razor I found it very awkward in some positions. In a short time I found what worked for me. For the first few weeks I could only shave in North to South in a coordinated way. As I began to try different angles and directions I got more adept at controlling the blade. Here is a photo series from Chris Moss that may help.

There is no magic formula unfortunately. As you use the razor more and more you will find increasing facility in holding and manipulating it. The idea is to just take it slow and easy at first and not get ahead of yourself. Just have patience.

Since you are just starting out, you might want to try and learn to shave with both hands. This limits the amount of contortion that you have to do. It sounds difficult but start with your cheeks and you will find that it is not really that big of a deal. Some report that they actually get a closer shave with the non-dominant hand (perhaps because they are paying a bit more attention). Food for thought... ... ...

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Originally Posted by netsurfr

Since you are just starting out, you might want to try and learn to shave with both hands. This limits the amount of contortion that you have to do. It sounds difficult but start with your cheeks and you will find that it is not really that big of a deal. Some report that they actually get a closer shave with the non-dominant hand (perhaps because they are paying a bit more attention). Food for thought... ... ...

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Actually, I'm a bit ambidextrous. And I started out shaving with both hands from day 2. Day one was just my right cheek. :) I'll go through the photo's and give it another shot. Under my chin to my neck looks terrible, but the 4th shave was way better than the second.

I find there are as many ways to hold a razor as there are faces to shave. I did watch the videos, it was a good reference for the first shave, but my beard just won't let me do exactly as shown. Actually, you must adapt to the direction your beard grows; hence, any holding technique is good as long as you don't cut your head off. :D.

I agree 100% with trying BOTH hands.When I first started,I found that reaching across my face with my dominant hand created issues with both awkward angles as well as actually being able to see what I was doing.

For a right handed person,holding the razor with your left hand for the first time will definitely focus ALL of your attention-just go SLOW.