Thread: Left hand.

I have now been using a straight for around a month and starting to get decent shaves but i cant get to grips with using my left hand, whatever i do with my left hand i dont feel comfortable and with a sharp razor in my left hand i feel even more uncomfortable, i cant hold the razor and angles are a no no, not even confident enough to put a razor to my face with my left hand!

Like most right handed people you have no facility with your left hand. Most of us southpaws have to live in a righthanded world so we're more ambidextrous and so using the right in shaving is easier.

What you need to do is train your left hand to do what you want it to do. Try using your left hand for writing. A little practice and it will help train your hand.

I'm sure it'll come with time, just hang in there. As for improving your abilities with your left hand, I've seen some advice on using your left (non-dominant) hand for simple tasks like brushing your teeth or combing your hair until you can some dexterity.

When I was taking snare drum lessons we'd have drills for each hand. We didn't go home and do other things with our non-dominant hand, we just continued drumming with the weaker hand. I think you're just gonna have to try shaving with your left hand and keep practicing with it until you get it right. Gradually increase the responsibility you give to that hand. It might be slower and awkward at first, but before you know it you'll be up to snuff.

Well, using your "off hand"certainly isn't mandatory. If you're that uncomfortable trying it, you could just use your right hand.

If you want to overcome your reluctance why not get a junk razor, dull it to butter knife keeness and use it to practice and get your moves down? After a while you should be ready to go to a sharp razor. When that happens, remember the basics and start out doing just the sides of your face.

Hello, Technika1:

I started using both hands on the first day of shaving with a straight razor. I am right handed. To train my left hand, I proceeded to perform as many functions with it as possible: turning door knobs, brushing teeth, lifting things, and so on. Little by little my left hand gave me more control. I still use the left hand for many mundane activities. It takes time, but you will get there. Do what the other gentlemen have suggested as well and you will master your left hand.

Regards,
Obie

I hardly ever use my left hand... it's just more natural for me to reach across. I've tried a couple times to use my left... felt weird.

It took me 2 months of putting that blade on the left cheek before i could drag it down. I was not going to let it beat me but it is a little scary,just do a couple inch strokes and be happy with that, then build up each day with the baby steps, it will come with time. YOU CAN DO IT !!!!!!

+1 on what Bigspendur said. Train your left hand to do what your hand feels comfortable doing. I use my left to lather up before shave...uncomfortable but certainly gets the left moving in the right directions (so to speak)

Hang in there and don;t give up...you can certainly do things ONLY with teh right as most do, but using your left to complement the right hand will open up new possibilities for you (as far as angle of attack, etc, etc...)

Good luck

Robert

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Like most right handed people you have no facility with your left hand. Most of us southpaws have to live in a righthanded world so we're more ambidextrous and so using the right in shaving is easier.

What you need to do is train your left hand to do what you want it to do. Try using your left hand for writing. A little practice and it will help train your hand.

what i have heard is that you can practice with a butterknife in front of the tv so you can get used to the motion.
this is not something I tried myself because I just tried it and yes it flt weird but I got used to it(and i don't have a tv)

regards
Stijn

Thanks everyone for the great advice, i love straight shaving and want to get things right, so i will stick at my left hand.