Thread: Maneuvering the razor

I crane my neck while tilting my head to the right to reach the area under my left ear. I pull down with the left hand below the razor.

On the hollows around the windpipe I pull the areas flat and I don't use the point of the razor but have it extending past the shave area.

If you practice maneuvering a butter knife or something while on the PC or watching TV you'll find it will help you improve the shaving. I did that with a dull razor and learned to shave with the left hand that way.

I have been having problems getting to the areas below the ear where the jaw meets the neck too. Today I think I may of found something that may help, I had been trying to twist my face away from the area to help with stretching but it seemed like that made it harder since it made the contours more pronounced. Today I twisted my face towards the ear, it bunched up the skin, but with a little stretching the skin was tight enough and the area was flat instead of contoured. It seemed to help me. For the hollowed areas a 45 degree angle, just toe or heel, and a scything stroke helps.

Originally Posted by Jasongreat

I have been having problems getting to the areas below the ear where the jaw meets the neck too. Today I think I may of found something that may help, I had been trying to twist my face away from the area to help with stretching but it seemed like that made it harder since it made the contours more pronounced. Today I twisted my face towards the ear, it bunched up the skin, but with a little stretching the skin was tight enough and the area was flat instead of contoured. It seemed to help me.

I will try that next time. Do you hold the razor in you left hand when you do so or in the right? I do not have any issues shaving that on the right, but can't reach there on the left with my right hand. Seems like getting my left hand involved sounds like a good idea.

I use both hands and I think doing so is a good idea, however a good clean shave is possible using only one, lots of people do it that way. Being comfortable and relaxed is important while shaving with a str8, imo, so do what feels comfortable till you are getting good shaves then start to add or subtract things to make each shave better and better. I have seen advice to put some tape on the edge then while you are sitting around watching tv or whatever you can practice your strokes and the different grips without worrying about cutting yourself and the practice will really help you feel more comfortable with a razor in both hands, others have said to just do more things through out the day with your off hand and eventually it will feel just as comfortable to use your left as your right. Good luck.

I actually tried to use my left hand this morning and was able to shave my left sideburn w/o cutting my ear off, but once it went down the jaw line I quickly realized that that hand just does not have enough dexterity to move around. I happened to be one of those people who use their dominant hand for all fine work, guess it is time to start build fine motor skills in my left hand.

You will be well served by learning to use your left hand. It saves so much trouble in the long run. There is only so much contortion you can use to continue using just your right hand. Left hand use seems daunting at first but with a little practice it becomes 2nd nature. I don't even think about it any more.

Chris