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Six months in and I am getting a good shave with straight razors but I still only use my dominant hand. My neck is super close where I go against the grain with one hand but not as smooth as I would like on the other half. Any advice for someone trying to get their other hand involved? I know most guys use two. Anyone else still using one hand with good technique?
I only use one hand & my shaves are just fine. I'm not going to worry about the other hand, unless something happens to the hand I'm using. I know that's not much help, but that's all I know. :shrug:
Hello,
Don't worry about it. It's not a requirement to use both hands, more of a convenience. I almost always use my dominant hand to hold the razor and I've been doing a fine job nonetheless, you just learn different ways to hold the razors. I tried and learned two-handed when I started, but I'm a clumsy guy and switching the blade between hands so often felt like I was running toward a disaster, so I settle for one-handed.
As to how to learn the two-handed shave. Here is the trick I used for the harder strokes: mirror every single stroke, one at a time, on both sides. Do a single stroke with your dominant hand, paying attention to angles and positions (blade, head, arms, how you stretch, etc.), switch hands and repeat the exact same stroke in mirror on the other side. Then switch back and repeat for the next stroke. Muscle memory should kick-in quickly.
Cheers.
Even though I can't do anything else with my left hand, I tried using it with a SR for the oft side of my face. Much to my surprise, I found I get a great shave with my left hand, maybe because I use less pressure, naturally, with my left, than with my strongly dominant right hand. As my technique has improved, I have found that my left works better in some areas and my right works better on others, depending on the strike and approach.
Interestingly, one of the very early members here (whose name I can't remember) has a video that someone re-posted in the last few months that shows him shaving the right side of his face with his left hand, and the left side with his right hand.
As others have said, whatever works for you is what you should use. You may find that you adjust and change over time, as you get more confident and comfortable.
The way to get your other hand involved is exactly the same as starting with a straight. Think about what you will do and then just do it.
It may seem "unsteady" and uncoordinated, but it works. I found that I was more deliberate with my left and concentrated more. The result has been equal quality shaves to my dominate hand BUT less cuts/nicks.
I found that it seemed harder but just because with everything in life, its not easy the first time. For me using my left hand freed me from using awkward positions of my dominant hand. At the same time it gave me an opportunity to dial in my fine motor muscles in my left hand. I'm glad I did and would suggest at least giving it a shot.
I agree that you should give it a try. I told myself I was going to commit from the beginning to use two (not that there's anything wrong with one), and by the time it took to get comfortable shaves, it just seemed natural to use two. I now honestly get better results on the left side of my face, and not sure quite how to explain that.
The biggest problem with only using your dominant hand when shaving is that you decrease your field of vision when you reach across your face to shave the other side. Many people are more comfortable with this than learning to use the non-dominant hand. I like to recommend to people to open and close the razor using the both hands and get used to holding the razor in the non-dominant hand. In addition, practice the shaving strokes and different grips with the non-dominant hand without touching the razor to your face for a week or two and then start off just as a new shaver would, only shaving from the sideburn to the jaw on the non-dominant side and building from there.
Have fun.
I predominately shave left handed, though I can use my right (just) and when i do, find certain strokes give a better shave, i rarely bring my right hand into play because it feels awkward, and like i will cut myself.
I did my first couple of shaves with my right hand only, because I can't do much of anything right with my left hand. I've tried to use both hands with a safety razor, and I simply can't do it. After the first couple of straight razor shaves I decided to try to start introducing my left hand into the mix (since the whole thing was new to me anyway). I found that as clumsy as I am with my left hand, perhaps because I was being so careful, it was actually less awkward, and felt safer than some of the contortions I was going through to try to use my right. There are still a couple of strokes that I'm not as good at with my left hand, but over all it's working out much better for me using both. If you had told me that a year and a half ago, I would have said you were nuts.............
I am going to give it a try. I did the cheek a couple times and was not to secure. I am just going to stay at it and hopefully get better
Two hands for me, that's what I read when I started so don't really know any difference. Having said that, I really doubt it makes a difference one way or the other, if it works for you, great.
One hand here.
I can see excellent reasons for using two hands and eventually, I intend to learn how to do so. Right now, one-handed seems to work well enough - it was just always natural/the path of least resistance/laziness.
I've always used two hands. I think it makes things easier.
Of course for left handers who live in a right handed world we tend to be more ambidextrous so using our right hand comes way more naturally.
Shaving with a straight has a huge learning curve. If you start using both hands, it will get easier overtime. When using your less dominant hand, sometimes you can a better stroke because you are not pressing so hard and have a more gentle approach. Take the time and learn it. Takes about 6 months, but you will one day have that aha moment and say, hey this is not so hard anymore. Best of luck, keep the routine habitual and you will succeed.
Originally I thought two hands would be difficult and dangerous.
I found the learning curve was relatively quick. After a few days I can't imagine using one hand with a straight while shaving.
The angles just work better for me around the neck and jawline.
Two hands for me. When I started I thought I would cut myself using my left hand, but I didn't. I usually can't do any thing with my left hand. After starting 4 1/2 months ago it has become very natural. What ever works for you is great.
I started out using two hands because the videos I watched (Lynn and geofatboy) taught it that way. I figured that it was the only way to do it. However, I only use my left hand (non-dominant) to shave downward. When I shave upwards across and against the grain, I use my right (or dominant) hand for both sides. Like Lynn said, the reason to use your non-dominant hand for that side of your face is to open your field of vision. I find that when shaving upwards, my hands and arms are not in my way.
I use both hands for shaving. I think it was easier for me since I had already done some stuff left handed (write, etc.) and some stuff right handed (throw, etc.). Sometimes being mixed up comes in handy. But, if you are getting BBS shaves and no cuts with one hand, great.
This may belong in the cut of the day but I gave the right hand a try. Made it down the cheek but at first touch I felt that instant "oh, that's gonna bleed". As long as the great shaves out number the scars.
I have always been right handed and unable to do anything left handed, I mean nothing! When I started shaving with a SR ( 119 shaves ago) I made myself use the left hand as well as the right. Now I am better with the left. go figure..
This.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lynn
Why reach across your face? Two handed shaving lowers the odds for a nose or chin cut and is the only reason I have for using both hands. I practiced with my opposite hand for 10-15 minutes with a butter knife and have had nary a problem. It also improves some neck strokes and makes me feel a little more more proficient at the art, FWIW.
I use both hands for my WTG pass and just my dominate one for my ATG pass. Both is better, but do what works for you best. You can practice using both hands using lather and some kind of dull razor shaped object (butter knife etc)
I only started about 2 months ago, but I started with 2 hands. I'm becoming very used to using both hands. Sometimes I have to spend a little more time concentrating the amount of pressure I put with my non-dominant hand. But all in all, I'm actually finding less nicks on the side with my non-dominant hand even though I have to do more passes through the areas I miss.
I quite enjoy using both hands now :)