Thread: What's the benefit to ambi-shaving??

I've always shaved with my right hand, and as previously stated, there is no wrong way. What's ever comfortable for you. If you want to practice using your non dominant hand, Try brushing your teeth with it everyday until it becomes comfortable. This may help....

I started with both hands - both were new to the straight razor experience anyway.

Strangely enough (or maybe not so) - some parts of my shave I do better with my non-dominant hand.

I like the challenge of learning and also the notion of keeping things balanced.

In the end, it doesn't really matter - the end is the smooth face, how you get there is your call.

All the best,
Michael.

Like you, I started using only my dominant right hand to shave cross handed on my left side. Two things I didn't like about it was: 1. I felt the view of my left side was obstructed by my right hand while holding the razor & 2. I didn't feel like I had as good a feel for the blade because of the way you have to hold it when shaving crosshanded. So, if I were to say there was any advantages to using both hands, these would be it. After about a month, I finally got up the nerve to try using my left hand for my left side and it only took me a couple of days to get the hang of it. I found it so much easier using my left hand to shave my left cheek, moustache, chin and throat. Due to an operation to re-attach my right bicept tendon, I still have to shave my left neck with my right hand because my right hand won't reach there to stretch my skin.

I shave with both hands and find it very comfortable. It's important for me to learn this so that I can continue to use a straight even if my dominant hand gets maimed

Seriously, though, it helps me quite a bit to use both hands because it makes tackling all areas of my face easier than when I tried it with just my dominant hand.

Enjoy your journey, and have fun with the process!

I see two interpretations of "ambi-shaving" in these responses. One is to be able to shave the entire face with the non-dominant hand, as a "back-up" to shaving the entire face with the dominant hand, in the event the latter was incapacitated. The benefit of that is obvious, even if not frequently needed. The other interpretation is to mirror what one does with the dominant hand on a particular side of the face, with the non-dominant hand on the other side of the face. I see the benefit here is to be able to duplicate exactly what works best for a particular patch of face and direction of shave, assuming symmetry.

Originally Posted by kcarlisle

Like you, I started using only my dominant right hand to shave cross handed on my left side. Two things I didn't like about it was: 1. I felt the view of my left side was obstructed by my right hand while holding the razor & 2. I didn't feel like I had as good a feel for the blade because of the way you have to hold it when shaving crosshanded.

+1 Here. It's much easier for me to see what is happening if I use my offhand to do the left side of my face. Also, when I do the area under my sideburns, I used to feel like I was digging into my hair and skin when crossing my right hand. I don't get that any more with the left. I also find it easier to maintain a comfortable angle.

i tried 2 hand shaving yesterday and the only thing it granted my was 2 cuts in my face

about cutting myself going off hand. Thanks for all the input!