First 'full shave'

[Lambda89]

So finally I had attempted my first full shave today, and besides some stray haired on my neck,I was successful. One problem I did have was with the left side off my face and neck.
Whats the best kind of grip when dealing with an awkward area, or ifs it worth learning to use my left hand since this is only my third/fourth week at straight shaving?
P.s, ive noticed my face looks a lot fresher when I shave..just a random thought.

[noggs247]

Hi Lambda,
Congrats on your first full shave!!
If you use your dominant hand ( in this case your right ),the left hand side of your face will present problems at first-but this is only temporary.As you grow in confidence you will find your grip will adjust gradually to accomodate the awkwardness of drawing the razor down your left cheek.
I personally do not like shaving with my left hand ( non dominant) as it really does feel unnatural although many members advocate it.
If you watch shaving videos on facebook and /or the wiki you will see very experienced people shaving with one/both hands,and you might pickup some useful tips.
If you are up to it try going ATG on your neck area- i found it alot easier than it sounds, plus it really gets those pesky stray whiskars!
Keep going and have many more happy shaves!
Best regards
Noggs

[Maxi]

When I started shaving with a straight (which was not all that long ago) I was shaving both sides of my face with my dominant hand. After reading some of the threads here, I began to experiment with my non-dominant, which was a little shakey at first. Just the other day, I tried to do a full shave with only my dominant, and it felt very awkward. IMO it's best to learn to use both hands early on. It's easier on the eye-sight for angles and lines.

Maxi.

[Morty]

Hi Lambda,
Congrats on your first full face shave! I remember how good I felt about mine last month!

My right hand is my dominant hand. I have never used my left hand for anything other than catching baseballs and fingering the strings when I played the guitar (before I became profoundly deaf). I encourage you to begin using your left hand to shave the left side of your face. You will build the skill quickly; count on that. And you will find it more comfortable than trying to continue to shave the left side of your face with your right hand.

Always remember--this is something you can do.
Namaste,
Morty -_-

[LarryAndro]

I always use my right hand. At first, the left side of my face was more difficult. With time, it has become the easiest side to reach and shave.

[geruchtemoaker]

in the beginning (a month or 3 ago) I also only used one hand but after reading a few post on this forum I tried shavin with both hands result: 2 of 3 cuts. next time i tried it went a lot easier now i always do because you can better see what you're douing. But I think it's mainly a habbit using one or both hands

[BabysBottom]

I am new to straight razor shaving also, but like others decided to incorporate my non-dominant hand because I had heard it can be better than trying to use the dominant hand 100%. I still have some awkwardness with my non-dom hand (I have come close to couging out my eye once or twice it seems), but I feel it does make it a lot easier to go WTG if I switch hands. There are some areas where I feel like I just have to switch hands. And If both hands are trained, it just gives you more options when shaving. But yes, it does feel VERY awkward at first.

[Lambda89]

Thanks for the input, today when I shaved I attempted to use my left hand...

Wow..talk about awkward, this is really going to take some time, haha!

[rodb]

Thanks for the input, today when I shaved I attempted to use my left hand...

Wow..talk about awkward, this is really going to take some time, haha!

This might sound really dumb, but I used a butter knife to practice with the left hand. I can now do everything but atg with my left hand, but I'm working on that as well.