Are You a Switch Hitter?

Gentlemen,

Do you switch hands using the safety razor?

When I started shaving with the straight razor some years ago, I switched hands from the first shave. If I recall, my friend Lynn Abrams suggested I do so, and I am grateful to him. Switching hands with the straight razor improves my field of vision, as well as giving me plenty of room to improvise.

I have continued the practice with the safety razor, too. This especially helps with some strokes now that I have lost some mobility in my shoulders due to age. For instance, my stiff right shoulder restricts my south to north strokes on the left side of my face using my right hand, whereas using the left hand makes the strokes a breeze.

Due to the weird hair growth on the left side of my face, shaving from mouth to ear is going against the grain. By using the left hand — with the straight razor, too — I avoid putting stress on my right should were I to use my right hand for that stroke. And so on. Switching hands with the safety razor especially eases the burden on my stiff shoulders.

So gentlemen, do you switch hands using the safety razor?

Yes I do switch hands when using a SR. Have done it since I first learned to shave.
Not sure if I was taught that way or I just did it

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dieseld

Yes I do switch hands when using a SR. Have done it since I first learned to shave.
Not sure if I was taught that way or I just did it

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But my friend, do you switch hands with the safety razor? That's the topic?

yes I do, never thought when I added the SR it would go as straight razor in a safety razor topic. Sorry my friend

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Obie

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So gentlemen, do you switch hands using the safety razor?

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I do not - I stick with my dominant hand (R). Not sure why - I've never really thought about it. I do switch hands with a straight razor where angles are more important.

Adam

I switch hands when shaving with a straight but just use my right hand when using a DE.

No, I do not switch hands when shaving with a DE/SE razor. It has worked well for me for nearly half a century. It is a different story with straight razors though and for the reasons the OP mentions.

Bob

I switch with a SR and do 95% of my safety razor shave with my dominate hand except for one stroke on the left side of my upper lip, I can do it with just the right arm but I can do it better using the left

I switch hands with all razors, straight or safety.

Interestingly enough, I do not switch hands when using safety razors, but I do switch hands with a straight razor.

I can switch or not when using a safety razor. I really don't think about it anymore.

I switch with a SR but not with a DE. I am not sure why.

I do with a safety, rarely with a straight, but on occasion. It is much easier to get the right side of my neck under the ear with the left hand.

I think the pattern here is most people switch with straights and don't with a de. I fit into that category.

I'm the same, only ambidextrous with the straight.

When I was considering my SR conversion, I read that learning to use both hands would be helpful. So I started brushing my teeth with my off hand. Been shaving, both SR and DE with both now for years.

Gentlemen,

I just remembered: I switch hands when lathering, too — right hand right side, left hand left side. I think switching hands when shaving has become a habit, and a good one, I might add.

Interesting, I have not thought about that. I use my dominant hand only when lathering.

I'm glad you asked this question, Obie. I had not thought about using my non-dominant hand for DE shaving before. I think I use only my dominant hand while shaving with a DE. I find I can do all the required strokes with my right hand.

I think that dominance only takes over under stress.

Many of us here take our shaving the way that we do to get rid of or avoid stress.

It is very relaxing to pamper yourself while shaving.

So in this situation I have never worried or thought much about dominance.

I started switching hands with my DEs when I started diving into using SRs to help becoming accustomed to shaving with SRs easier. Since I have a heavy beard, I practice with my SR in the evening and shave with a milder DE in the morning (lately my morning shaves have been with my Feather DS).

I had not thought of using both hands with safety razor. I will give that a try. I'm still working on my non-dominant hand SR shaving neck with hollows & cow lick. I'm old with bad shoulders after three surgeries. I did start lathering with both hands last year out of frustration. Shoulder is so much happier now.

Like a few have said, I switch hands with my straights but not my safety razor. Never occurred to me that I didn't. I may just have to try this tonight.

I generally do not switch with a DE, though occasionally if I miss a spot I might. I always switch with a straight.

Yes I switch hands with a straight razor but only use my right hand with a DE.

No hand switching for me with a safety razor.

I like your title, especially with baseball season under way! On the Diamond and with a straight, I am a switch hitter:) However, with a safety blade I have found using one hand (right) to be easier for me.