Thread: Newbee with a unique question

Hello everyone. Newbee here.

Fow a while now I've been thinking about trying out a straight razor to shave. However, I have a unique situation. I am missing my left hand. So my question is; is it possible to safely shave your face entirely with one hand? That is, without stretching the skin with your free hand.

Thanks.

Some people do shave with only their dominant hand so it should be possible. Skin stretching helps but it is not necessarily required, and of course you can do all of the ridiculous facial contortions the rest of us do to aid in stretching the skin. I would guess the greatest shortcoming would be along the jawline, as that seems to be the most benefited by stretching. Basically I think you could get a serviceable shave but you could not achieve as good of a shave as one done with conventional stretching.

I would assume that you would be better off with a paddle strop rather than a hanging strop. I can't think of any other particular issue.

Yes I think you could do just fine too, it is going to be just like everything else you have probably had to overcome, a bit of a challenge at first, then a sense of true accomplishment when you achieve your goal...

I am thinking Bench Strop sorta like this one...

http://straightrazorpalace.com/strop...trop-hone.html

A wife or girlfriend could help with the stretching as you learn to make the needed facial contortions. from there you could slowly ween yourself from that help till you can manage on your own. I am betting the difficulties you have had to overcome due to your disability will contribute greatly in overcoming the learning curve with a straight that many of us with two hands had trouble overcoming...in other words my suspicion is that you will learn easier and quicker because you already have a mindset to overcome difficulties where many of us without your disadvantage never gained that mindset and as a result we have a bigger handicap to overcome which is to say our own idiotic selves.

You will have a bit more obstical at first, but i have faith if you truly want to learn how to straight shave it shouldent be a problem. Have fun!

Yes. Using a double edge shares many techniques, and is cheap. I think you'll find you will easily master the facial contortions with that. Not trying to through training wheels at the idea, but this way when you grab the straight, you won't need to juggle to many new ideas at once.

Also, if your loss has left enough of your lower arm, just the act of placing it near the area of shave will be of benefit. Not as important above the ears, but placing it on your collar bone would be helpful when shaving the neck and under chin. Still, not required, you'll just need to be attentive.

Lastly, the way I tick, when ever I think about something for a while, and don't do it, I kick myself for not doing it sooner!

You will do just fine. Welcome to the brotherhood!

I'm pretty sure you'll be able to get enough stretch with facial contortions. I was just doing a few to test the theory. As has been mentioned, if you're missing your left hand, but have your forearm, I don't think there is a reason that you couldn't do stretching with it. It may take some practice to place everything in the right spots that work for you....but lets be serious... Every single person on this forum (I think....) has had to figure out what exactly works best for them, through trial and error, and a few nicks.

I say give'r!

Please keep us posted. I think you'll do just fine.

Thanks for the replies.

Few things to note. I don't think my girlfriend would be willing to help me out, because she would be terrified of the blade. I'll have to be nonchalant about the whole thing as it is. If I make a big deal about it, she'll worry herself (and me) to death. LOL

As far as my arm, I'm missing it right below the elbow. So I have an elbow and about four inches of bone. Not much to work with. I've done some practacing and there's not much I can do with it as far as stretching skin, that I can't do with just facal movements. If anything it will impede my vision. Not to mention be uncomfortable. So, If I'm gonna do it, I'm gonna have to learn to do it with one hand. Then I can hold a towel with my left arm to wipe the blade etc. I'm not too concerned about the strop etc., because I'm pretty good at improvising. I can rig something where I can hold it tight with my left arm. That's the easy part, and what I've been doing all my life. Or worse case, I'll just get a bench strop.

Also, I'm not afraid to try to shave. You're talking to a guy who gives himself intermuscular injections. My only concern is if it will be practical. Meaning, will I continue to cut myself just as much (or more) even after I learn. Or will the shave be no better than it is now i.e. be closer, more comfortable shave etc. I don't wanna waste the time and money if there's no real advantage. I guess the only way I'm gonna know for sure is to try. Speaking of which, is it worth it to try a replacable blade straight razor, or will that not give me the same experence as a regular one? BTW, I'm not worried about learning to sharpen either. I sharpen my own kinves, and I got interested in straight razors through my interest in kinves and sharpening. Go figure.

Anyway, thanks again for the info so far. This looks like a great forum, with alot of interesting info. Hope I can learn to shave, or I'll look kinda silly hanging out here. LOL

Be sure to check the classifieds here at SRP, a lot of good razors at reasonable prices.