Thread: First Shave- Holding the razor backward?

First off I did my first shave today. I had a good 3 days growth on my face. I am a lefty so to hold the razor with the 3 fingers like I see in this pictures on the Wiki


I have to flip it around the other way. Is there a front and back to the blade. The blade was hopping around and did not want to cut through my beard well. Once I made the first pass, I re-lathered and made another and that went fine. I even cut in an ATG pass, up only on my cheeks and neck. I know I kept my pressure good because my neck is much less irritated than I normally would be with my DE. I used the Trufitt & Hill shaving cream and after shave balm. I give both a thumbs up. I ended up using my right had a little.

I didn't get and nicks per se, however a couple times I did not have a good grip and when I put the blade to my face the blade dug in a little. So I have 4 little lines on my face. I think it will be fine, they are very light. I am not put off at all. I actually got a decent shave despite my terrible form. I just knew from my DE experience to keep the pressure very light.

If anyone has any suggestions on the lefty thing I would appreciate it.

Theres nothing wrong with being left handed, or so Im told. Most of us have become somewhat ambidextrous while using straights, as far as I can tell from your post you are doing fine. Remember a good face prep, blade prep and good technique will give you a great shave everytime. But it will take practice to get there, I hope you are having fun adapting to this new skill and welcome to SRP!

Great first experince. You'll get better and better each time. Before I started with my new sharp razor.. I had an old very dull flea market razor that i brought to my face so I could figure what way to hold the razor in order to get to the various parts of my beard.

It just takes a little thinking and common sense and before you know it you'll be shaving fine. keep up the light touch. congratulations on your first shave. Sounds like you did just fine. WElcome to SRP and let us know how you are progressing.

Maq

wow thats good for the first go around at this! as far as the blade goes it doesnt matter what side you use. because either way your only using the cutting edge, and it will help alot to learn to use both hands. keep at it and know it just gets better from here

Yeah it wasn't bad. I am worried a little abut those lines I put in my face. I have about 4 of then. They are really thin but I am hoping they don't leave a scar. My neck area is not irritated at all however. I will probably give it a go this morning and see how it is.

You may want to watch your thumb there. Its awfully close to that cutting edge. Some razor don't have that guard there.

I'm left handed but to tell you the truth even though I use both hands to shave I mostly use my right. When I do use my left I keep my thumb about midway down the shank there.

Good start!

I'm a lefty myself but I do most tings almost ambidextrous (by training).

Learn to use a few different grips:
Different ways to hold a straight razor - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Some grips works better (for me anyway) on different parts of the face.

Originally Posted by Otto

Learn to use a few different grips:
Different ways to hold a straight razor - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Some grips works better (for me anyway) on different parts of the face.

That particular part of the wiki helped(and still does) me a lot.
Grip was a big pain. There is also a lot of really good videos to watch in the wiki that shows a lot of different techniques.

Come on guys, Who's going to fess up and tell him about the left handed razors? Sorry I let the cat out the bag.

Originally Posted by paco

Come on guys, Who's going to fess up and tell him about the left handed razors? Sorry I let the cat out the bag.

Bah! You're not catching me on that! I did a search on lefties and sounthpaws. I see you telling all the noobs that!