Thread: Using "the other" hand

I did shave #5 last night and decided to try using my left hand for the left side of my face (I'm right handed) for the first time. I was expecting it to be really difficult since I've never even attempted anything with my left hand (besides guitar playing). Somehow I was able to sort of visualize what I been doing with my right hand the first 4 shaves and duplicate the motions.

The cheek went pretty well, and the neck was okay. One little nick on my neck that went away with a splash or two of water--that was the only damage. Granted, I only shaved WTG and it wasn't BBS, but the hair was getting removed and no weepers. Maybe I'm setting the bar too low, but this was a win for me.

This has given me a big boost of confidence that if I can get this far in 5 shaves, I imagine I'll be in a very good place after a year of sticking with it (shaving about 3x/week means over 150 shaves per year).

For any other people new to this, I did stick to just my right sideburn for shaves 1 and 2, included the cheek and part of the neck in shaves 3 and 4, and then went left handed in shave 5. I think getting used to the feel of the blade and blade angle was key, and I have confidence with my strokes now. I was able to apply that to my left hand and know that as long as the angle is good, the pressure is right, and I have a decent lather, I'll be okay.

I'm learning confidence means a lot in this game (though technique I'm sure is still more important). My next skills to master are under my ears/back of jaw areas which are tough with a defined jawline, as well as learning ATG and XTG attempts. I'll try to get to those in another 15 shaves or so. In the meantime, I'll stay patient and get better with my left hand.

Happy shaves.

-Stub

Stubbles,

Well done

It will soon feel totally natural to shave with both hands.

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

congrats i think its some sort of epiphany.
for me the first time i shaved with my left hand it was also just wtg.
xtg and atg will come just don't rush it

keep up the good work!
enjoy shaving

regards
Stijn

Hi Stubbles,
Looks like everything is going just right!!
Keep on with using the left hand-it will get better each time.
Remember to take everything slow and try to enjoy each shave that you accomplish ,partial or full.Each step is one more to the perfec shave.
Kind regards

Noggs

Stub,

Attaboy!!! Keep it up. The more you use your left hand to shave the left side of your face, the more comfortable you will become doing so. Soon, it will become second nature.

Yes, confidence is very important. If you don't have it or are afraid of the razor you don't control it, it controls you.

Congrats, keep it up after a while the left will be just as natural as the right.
When you get to the ATG passes i usually do it with the opposite hand
[ R hand = left side / L hand= right side ] Only saying that's how i do it not that's how it's done.

Originally Posted by paco

Congrats, keep it up after a while the left will be just as natural as the right.
When you get to the ATG passes i usually do it with the opposite hand
[ R hand = left side / L hand= right side ] Only saying that's how i do it not that's how it's done.

Paco,
It only feels natural to do ATG with the opposite hand on the neck...I still don't have the guts to go ATG on the rest of my face...although this should be easier than neck part, I hear...I think it may be that the razor I am using is not sharp enough anymore (I just started learning to hone on it...maybe over/under-honed)...I am pretty sure I've got the angle right, it just hops/jumps when I get to transition zone between neck and chin (i.e., jawline)

-Robert

Originally Posted by Stubbles

I did shave #5 last night and decided to try using my left hand for the left side of my face (I'm right handed) for the first time. I was expecting it to be really difficult since I've never even attempted anything with my left hand (besides guitar playing). Somehow I was able to sort of visualize what I been doing with my right hand the first 4 shaves and duplicate the motions.

The cheek went pretty well, and the neck was okay. One little nick on my neck that went away with a splash or two of water--that was the only damage. Granted, I only shaved WTG and it wasn't BBS, but the hair was getting removed and no weepers. Maybe I'm setting the bar too low, but this was a win for me.

This has given me a big boost of confidence that if I can get this far in 5 shaves, I imagine I'll be in a very good place after a year of sticking with it (shaving about 3x/week means over 150 shaves per year).

For any other people new to this, I did stick to just my right sideburn for shaves 1 and 2, included the cheek and part of the neck in shaves 3 and 4, and then went left handed in shave 5. I think getting used to the feel of the blade and blade angle was key, and I have confidence with my strokes now. I was able to apply that to my left hand and know that as long as the angle is good, the pressure is right, and I have a decent lather, I'll be okay.

I'm learning confidence means a lot in this game (though technique I'm sure is still more important). My next skills to master are under my ears/back of jaw areas which are tough with a defined jawline, as well as learning ATG and XTG attempts. I'll try to get to those in another 15 shaves or so. In the meantime, I'll stay patient and get better with my left hand.

Happy shaves.

-Stub

I hear you buddy...I am in the same boat. My left hand has come a long way, but I don't dare do chin area ATG...neck is OK...bizarre since I think the fear factor or confidence should be other way around

Keep at it...it'll click
-Robert