Thread: ambidexterous --?? shaving technique

I started out easy today, just shaving my cheeks. It went well, no cuts or bruises!

I have always held the razor in my right hand (Disposable and DE). It felt fine on my right cheek, but not so natural on my left.

How do you experts shave, with one hand, or two?

Thanks, ad

I wouldn't call myself an expert, but I have been getting close and smooth shaves with one-handed shaving. It felt more natural than ambidextrous and since I'm getting great results one-handed, I have no reason to to change it.

You'll hear from advocates on both sides. I can only offer my personal perspective. I initially tried shaving with only my dominant hand but found that many parts of my face and neck were difficult to reach in what I though was a safe way. So although it did feel awkward initially, I've been a two handed shaver for a long while. Within a week or two, I no longer had a preference as to which hand the razor was in for those areas of my face that can be shaved comfortably with either one.

As always YMMV,
Ed

i started out for the first week only doing my cheeks also only using dominant hand. its good to learn angles of blade to your face, what the sound is like, what the feeling of the blade to your skin is like and how to hold the razor. then i added my jaw line and then took another week to get my neck completely done. it feels like you are going so slow, learning taking so long becuase you are anxious. but in the grand scheme, its only a couple week process for a lifetime of pleasure.

it did not take me long to see that there were positions of holding the razor, angles to cutting and beard growth that were not easily achievable with only 1 handed shaving. so during late week 2, i started using both hands. YES, it takes some getting used to BUT it doesn't take long. i have personally have found much closer and better results using 2 hands due to all the angles you can use to shave.

its like anything else. if you are scared of it, if you don't just go slow and make yourself do it and learn then you won't do it and you'll be more scared later on. i think the benefits much outweigh any downsides of 2 handed shaving. once you learn and try it and get good at it...if you don't like simply use only 1 hand. you will find what works best for you over a few months shaving, every once in a while you'll try something new or different push/pull or angle that is great and from then on you'll use that technique.

its like a layup in basketball. you can use the same hand on both sides if you want to. the ball will still go thru the hoop, however if you learn to use both hands then it opens opportunities that you wouldn't have with just 1 hand though you can still use 1 if you wanted to.

~J

All of my "difficult to reach with my dominant hand" areas hardly grow whiskers at all so I just fly with one hand now. ... "What is the sound of one hand shaving?"

X

Don't consider me an expert - but I have used both
hands since I began shaving with one of these
wonderfully addictive instruments.



Terry

Originally Posted by xman

All of my "difficult to reach with my dominant hand" areas hardly grow whiskers at all so I just fly with one hand now. ... "What is the sound of one hand shaving?"

X

Ouch...damn...not again! Where's the styptic? (I crack me up).

Ed

I have been using two hands since I started. One handed makes me feel like I am about to have to go to the emergency room if I keep it up.

To me it was like driving a stick shift, at first its a bit awkward but the mroe you do it the more natural it feels.

Two hands for me, just a little practice is all it takes. Just take care when you swap hands, this is the easiest time to cut yourself.

Gary

I've only been shaving with a straight for a couple of months, but first starting out, I cut the left side of my face every time I put the razor to it (I'm right handed). I just couldn't find a comfortable way to get my right hand on the other side of my face while still being able to see what I was doing in the mirror. I quickly found that using two hands works really well. I watched Lynn's video and he made it look easy and natural, I thought at that time that two-handed shaving was the only way to do it.

Like the other guys, it did take me some time to get used to it--and I'm still a slow shaver--but since I switched I'm a lot more comfortable and confident. I stick to my right hand for my chin and upper lip, though. I really don't want a permanent, jagged grin.