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

Originally Posted by zuckermania

Is there an actual benefit to using both hands? Exactly what doorways does this open up later on?

Strangely, I can usually get a closer shave when I use my off-hand. The only thing I can think to associate this with is the martial art idea of 'no-mind'. Since my left hand is less connected to the brain in coordination, there isn't as much conflict over angle as there is with my right hand.

I just think it gives you more options for how you might approach shaving an area. If you can shave with both hands, you can do everything a one handed shaver can and more.

Jordan

At first I couldn't figure out shaving with the non dominant (left in my case) hand but forum member Danny Wonderful posted a tip on practicing shaving with the left hand while watching TV or sitting at the computer.

This was what got me over the hump. When I tried to do it during the actual shave looking in the mirror would confuse me. By practicing without looking I got the moves down. So I shaved with both hands a bit but went back to dominant hand shaving. It is just so familiar and I have no problems with it.

If I were ever to have an injury to my right hand or arm and couldn't use it to shave I could get used to using the non dominant hand. Of course that would depend on my being able to stretch with the injured member. No stretch, no straight razor shave.

I'm a natural left that the education system forced into being right handed... the only I can't do left handed is handwrite (and I don't even do that right handed unless I have to ;p).

I can't do the right side of my face with my left hand smoothly, even with a cartridge razor, never mind trying it with a straight yet. Have no issues shaving the left side with the left hand, can shave either side with my right hand without any concern. I figure a few more shaves and I'll have my left hand shaving down, though it might take another dozen after that to get my right side with the left hand.

As someone who has already been down a hand for a while (TFCC tear in late 04) and now working on a bad shoulder again (AC sprain xmas 08, and now rotator cuff pain), having both hands trained for any task is a good thing.

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 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.