Thread: 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

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

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

Originally Posted by Obie

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

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.