Thread: Swapping hands when shaving

What is the best technique to use when shaving? Should you hold the razor in the same hand whilst shaving or swap hands depending on which side of the face you are shaving?

I am right handed, and I currently hold the razor in my right hand when shaving (using the left to stretch the skin). I struggle to see in the mirror when I shave the left cheek. I have tried holding the razor in the left hand and have felt a little uneasy. What habit should a beginner get into when shaving?

I found it easier to start with the left hand by thinking of it as not really shaving with the hand but holding the razor in the hand and using vertical arm motions to make strokes. The hand doesn't really have to manipulate the blade that way, and thus any lack of dexterity in the left hand is less of a problem.

When I started down the path of using str8's the masses all seemed to think if you can, try to use two hands. Makes the angles easier to achieve and can make things a bit easier.
Since I was new, I decided to learn to use two hands which I continue to do. At this point I am happy I learned two hands. The funny part is that I have never nicked myself with my weak hand, only the strong. I guess I pay closer attention to the weak hand.

That is my 2cents.

Learn to use both hands. Look for (less awkward) opportunities to use your left hand, and build from there.

Being able to use both hands leaves you open to lots of possibilities, making it easier to shave in multiple directions on any side of your face.

Excellent, thank you all I will give it a go using my left hand...

I shave with my right hand only, you soon learn whats best for you. Just be patient it all falls into place in the end

I think that once you get used to using both hands, you have a better field of vision and it really does get easier to get some of those places you really had to stretch for reaching across your face. Shaving with just one hand is not impossible or impractical and we have all been there. Personal preference is key in this sport and using both hands is definitely my preference.

Have fun,

Lynn

+1 on that

I use both hands primarily because it gives me more options for getting the right angle and better visibility.

Its not nearly as hard to learn as you might think. Gicve it a try, I think you'll be glad you did.

"Srp Founder
Honed 40000 razors over the last 15 years" -- Lynn, were it I honing all those razors, I'd likely still be on the first 10K after a full time 15 years

new Str8er,

I'm fairly ambidexterous, but right dominant, so using either hand is not difficult for me and actually comes naturally when shaving as using the RR and LL approach seems to make watching what the razor is doing much easier.

Interestingly, I can't use a DE with either hand - right only. Go figure.

Adding in my two cents, I am very right dominant. When I write with my left hand it looks like I've had a stroke.

So I think it was downright lunacy of me to attempt to use this very hand, which might actually not be mine, to take one of the sharpest objects used on a daily basis and place it up on my face and against my neck.

I'm glad I took the jump into the deep end. It was very scary and I can't believe I found the coordination to do this, but if I can do it, I think just about anyone can. Now I'm as good with my left hand as my right; I'm practically ambidextrous when it comes to taking a blade to my face. I wonder, if I were to put that much effort into using a sharp blade this way, if I could learn to write with my left hand. I never knew I had this in me and I'm happy I made the effort.

Since I'm still very new to shaving with a straight, anyway, I tend to shave the parts of my face that I use my left hand for first, just to be sure I'm not tempted to use my right hand to cross over. Whenever I do touch-ups, etc., I'm always very conscious about ensuring I use my left hand where appropriate. I don't want to fall to using my right hand as a crutch. As time goes on, the temptation eases and I know there will come a day when I won't even notice that I'm using my left hand at all.

Good luck.