Thread: My gimp left hand

In preparation of the arrival of my first str8t, I have been working on my pre-shave and lathering. While I think all is going well with those two, I have found that the majority of my anxiety is coming from the thought of bringing a sharp blade to my face under the control of my left hand. I fear that I will find the majority of my left cheek in the sink.....
I have been trying to shave using my left hand, but even with a Mach safety razor, I can't control or even grip the razor. The reason I am having such a difficult time is due to some serious trauma my hand went through back in 05'. Late at night that year after giving my .45 1911 a good cleaning, I went to lower the hammer from half-cock, under the control of my right thumb (which I have done hundreds of times), and the round discharged. Now the weapon was pointed in a safe direction except my left hand was in the way creating quite the large gaping wound. 5 surgeries later I have regained almost all of the feeling in that hand and most control, except that of my middle finger.
As you can see from the pics, I can't quite close my fist and my dexterity is shot (pun intended). This is the first time I have every tried to do anything of any importance with this hand other than griping a cheeseburger.

My question to you guys is: do I have a legitimate concern or am I just making excuses??

Either way, I will try and try and try. I am not the kind of man to back down from a challenge, but quite frankly, I have enough scars!

If you don't use your left hand, you won't be the only person that shaves one handed. I do most of my work with my right hand.

Sorry to hear about your hand. But the good news is that you don't have to use your left hand to hold the razor. I only hold the razor with my right hand and have no problem. It does create some blind spots when you are shaving in front of the mirror but if you take your time you should be fine. Just make sure to stretch your skin with your left hand. Knock on wood I have not cut myself yet and have only had a few weepers when I wasn't fully paying attention to what I was doing.

Good luck, take your time when shaving and enjoy!

Well, two thoughts. First, there are many people out there who shave with only one hand. It is not a big issue. There are even videos of people doing it to show you how.

Second, if you want to persist with trying to use the left hand I think you need to start using it for other things, like my old piano teacher used to get me to do when I first started learning as a kid. Brush your teeth left handed. Use a spoon left handed. Pick your nose left handed etc. The more mundane and non-life threatening the better. It can only help in the long run, with everything as well as with shaving.

Good luck to you!

James.

Yea, I only use one hand also...Always have...

No worries, you can do just fine with just one hand.

I have a similar "problem", 12 years ago I injured my left arm in a motorcycle accident, which have reduced my fine motor skills. I tried for a long time to learn to use my left hand, but to me it's just not possible, I can't obtain the control I need to shave.
With some practice you will find techinques that work just as well with just your right hand, the only thing I'm having a little trouble using right hand only, is guillotine strokes on the left side of my neck, still trying to figure that one out.

Good luck

I really appreciate the encouragement guys!! I have read a lot of threads were guys were being encouraged to start learning the straight using both their dominant and non-dominant hand. While I see the point in that advice, I guess there are situations where it is just not practical, or wise. During my many months where my hand was in a cast and/or surgical wraps, I had to learn how to do everything with my right hand only. While I did embrace that challenge, I can no longer tackle delicate tasks with my left hand (although I can pick my nose quite well!). I tried to learn the guitar a couple years ago in an effort to regain some dexterity in my left hand, but I found that to be a futile task.

I think for the time being I will focus on learning proper technique and maybe work on introducing my left hand in the future, even if it is just whipping up my lather! Thanks for your thoughts, fellas!!

It's most definitely doable. I do most of my shaving right handed even though I could probably use my left hand just as proficiently. One of the things I really love about how the straight razor is designed is how versatile it is. You really can get it to shave just about everywhere comfortably with just your right hand. But, as I saw above, do use your left to stretch your skin. This can't be stressed enough. You won't get as close a shave without stretching your skin, and you probably will cut yourself if you don't. Glad to see how excited you are and hope this helps!

edit: btw...I started exactly the same way you are doing it, you are definitely setting yourself up for success. good luck!

i only use my left hand when i shave.....

best of luck with the recovery.... my brother had his hand cut almost in half length way *(almost wrist all the way to the index finger....) with a brick saw.... it took him a long time but he made a complete recovery with the strength and dexterity of his hand...... he worked really really hard....

I do just fine using only my right hand and have seen classic literature suggesting that is "the" manner in which it should be done. Personally I figure, if it works for you it's good enough and there's no need to worry about it.