Thread: Need help

My left hand is about as useful as a paw, it can perform mundane tasks like helping to hold down a bone on my plate, it is not to be trusted with holding the sharpest edge known to man against my Hollywood face...

Welcome to SRP

I use both hands in shaving because, frankly, face-wise I don't have much to lose. A nice big scar would probably just give me more character.

Hello Mike,
As said above it is all about practice. For the neck/under the jaw these jockeys videos helped me immensely. The open scales and the X pattern especially (2nd video)
Shaving videos - Straight Razor Place Wiki
Good luck.

Hello, dadvest:

Your non-dominant hand needs more training, that's all. I started switching hands from the start. The right is my dominant hand. To train the left, I began to use it for every possible chore I could: opening doors, cabinets, stirring food in the pot, brushing my teeth, and so on. I still use the left hand for many of these chores to keep it oiled, so to speak. It takes time and practice, but you will get there. Also, if you can, tape together a pair of dull butter knives into forming the open razor shape and practice.

Regards,

Obie

Check the barbers manual. The grip I think you are searching for is the reverse freehand. Getting the neck shaved well, on a single pass, is a lot more about sharpness than many people realize. Work on perfecting your stropping as well as thinking outside the box a liitle on grips.

Okay guys I must say thanks! After a few trys plus some extra beard prep my hands are working better and I have just got one of the best shaves I ever had with a straight with no razor burn and no nicks. I knew I had something going right when the blade felt like it had suction when I was moving it over my face. I streched the skin and slipped the razor over my richly lathered skin and wow how nice and close! The reverse free hand was my friend for sure! Thanks guys, looks like I'm getting the idea!

I trained my left hand by using it, like Obie says above, for chores and daily mundane tasks. For example, we had a family cookout the other day, and I did all the grilling and serving with my left hand. Sure, a lot of the hot dogs and hamburgers ended up on the ground, but I'm a vegetarian so it wasn't a problem for me.