Thread: It's a size thing ...

Originally Posted by JBHoren

Are there known solutions/alternatives to either of these issues (other than becoming ambidextrous)?

Whups, missed this bit earlier. You need to learn to shave with both hands. It's not as difficult as you'd think, because "handedness" affects more the fine finger control, while shaving uses mostly wrist and elbow movements. It's pretty common for guys to get better shaves (less irritation/nicks) with their off hand than with their dominant hand. Wierd but true.

Originally Posted by mparker762

It's pretty common for guys to get better shaves (less irritation/nicks) with their off hand than with their dominant hand. Wierd but true.

This is because you're often more careful and use pressure when shaving with your non-dominant hand.

Its much less difficult to learn to use your non-dominant hand than you might think.

If you're really bad with your non-dominant hand, you can try shaving with a butter knife to practice.

Actually my biggest problem when learning to shave with my off hand wasn't using the razor with that hand. My problem was in getting my dominant hand to stay out of the way and stretch my skin properly.

I agree that you'll likely get better shaves with your off hand. I always shaved left-handed before I started shaving with a straight, and I always have more trouble with the left side of my face. Until lately my chin sometimes looked two-toned: It was clean on the right and stubbly on the left.

Josh

Manipulating the razor isn't that hard at all in your off-hand, for reasons mentioned above. I found that for some reason, it was very hard to judge depth when holding the razor in my left hand, which is why my left earlobe has had more than one gash in it. Whoops! I also have a big mole right in my sideburn there that has felt the pain of learning. Just practice with it and you'll have it in no time...the only time I get nervous using my left now is against the grain on my chin.