Thread: How Important are 2 hands?

I prefer to use both hands. But for anything in the middle, top lip, bottom lip, chin, I use my right hand.
All it comes down to is what you get used to doing. The only thing I would say you should do is to try both one and two handed shaving to see what is more comfortable for you.

I use two hands, and found it surprising easy to learn with my non-dominant hand, mostly because it was a completely new task for me (so my "dominant" hand didn't have much of a muscle memory advantage).

The only real benefit of using two hands is that it minimizes the grip/pass combinations you have to learn.

I think it's easier to learn with both, but if you have a physical problem with one of your hands then using one works fine too as you can tell from the other posts.

-Chief

i had shoulder surgery and had my dominate arm gaffled to my chest for a while. months. never could write too well with my less dominate (left) hand even after months of trying. but i am able to shave w/ both hands. opposite hand for atg on my neck and face and same hands for wtg.

Originally Posted by BHChieftain

I use two hands, and found it surprising easy to learn with my non-dominant hand, mostly because it was a completely new task for me (so my "dominant" hand didn't have much of a muscle memory advantage).

The only real benefit of using two hands is that it minimizes the grip/pass combinations you have to learn.

I think it's easier to learn with both, but if you have a physical problem with one of your hands then using one works fine too as you can tell from the other posts.

-Chief

+1 on this - plus I like the challenge of using my non-dominant hand.

Of course if you use one hand only
- you have the challenge of getting blade angles that are easier with the opposite hand.

Personal choice in the end - whatever works for you.

All the best,
Michael.

This comes up a lot. If you want to use both then use both. Like most have said there are no rules when it comes to which hand you use. It's your face and if it is easier for you to use 1 then use 1, or if you find you like using both then use both!!


Oh and just to through it in I do use both hands. For me it seems easier to get to certain spots. I have used both since I started, because that is how I wanted to learn.

I have been shaving with a straight for over a month now. I am left handed but confess that for some things I use my right...so I am ambidextrous. However, my dominant hand is the left. I have tough myself to shave the right side of the face with my right hand and I can say that it is a lot easier; once mastered, to shave each side of the face with the corresponding hand (right with the right, and left with the left) As with all motor skills, it is hard at the beginning but you will be glad if you stick with it.

Originally Posted by Stubear

I've tried both but I prefer to use just my right hand. I've got a good pattern worked out and it gives me BBS results every time so I stick with that..!

Good luck!

Got a way to post a diagram or explain what you do?

Originally Posted by rickboone

Got a way to post a diagram or explain what you do?

This is a thread that you may find useful. Starts off with a couple of videos that X-Man got together. I agree with the others however it works, if it works it's good. For what it's worth, I shave two handed for the first pass WTG, one handed for the second ATG.

I think most of us start with only our dominant hand - over time, you find that using the other hand for a particular angle is easier.

I think the 2 handed stuff comes in time, once you can comfortably manuever the razor around your face trying the other hand is not as scary (albeit awkward at first) since you are already familiar with angle of attacks and how to handle a sharp blade without making yourself too ugly

but I do agree with everyone else - no rules on what hand to use or how to hold it - just guidelines to make starting out easier and most importantly safe.

For me, the biggest benefit of using both hands is that it improves my field of vision in the mirror when shaving by not having to look around my arm that is reaching around to shave the opposite side of the face. The more I have used my non dominant hand, the easier it has become and I have also benefited in being able to do other things easier with both hands like using a screwdriver, hammering etc.......

Patience and practice go a long way with this sport........

Have fun,

Lynn