Thread: Shaving difficulty

I can only use my right hand , due to nerve damage in my left arm. I would suggest you try to use your left hand for one or two areas that you are comfortable with. This will let you get more confident with your routine.

When I was a kid, my Grandfather gave me an old razor with absolutely no edge on it whatsoever, so that I could "shave with him in the mornings. Find a dull as butter razor and practice with it.

One hander here. Tradeoffs, the common denominator of the big picture of every single thing.

This is one of the few instances where if you are left handed it's much easier. mainly because we live in a right handed world so we needed to become competent with our right hands. So this makes shaving with a straight easier for us as far as switching hands goes. So you right handed guys get to experience what we live through every day.

With time and practice you will master it.

Originally Posted by guitstik

When I was a kid, my Grandfather gave me an old razor with absolutely no edge on it whatsoever, so that I could "shave with him in the mornings. Find a dull as butter razor and practice with it.

i really like this idea, i cant think why i hadn't thought of this thanks.


i cant believe how much response i gained from this simple newbie question. Thanks to everyone that took the time to respond.

I find off hand stretching more difficult that using the razor in the off hand.

I'm a right hand only shaver; just change grips when needed for different areas. I never switched hands with a cartridge razor, so saw no reason to do so with a straight razor. Try it both ways and use whatever methods you please - and have fun!

Originally Posted by Dzanda

Proinsias said it well: being able to switch hands gives you more options.

Depending on the area on my face, I too use my right or left hand. Once I was used to it, it just gave me more freedom of movement.

Or in other words: I'd give my right arm to be ambidextrous.

Originally Posted by beluga

I'd give my right arm to be ambidextrous.

If it isn't already in Quip of the Day, it should also be posted there.

I use both hands. For the intial Up-Down pass I use my right hand for the right side of my face and left hand for left side of my face. However for the Down-Up pass I crossover using my left hand on the right side of my face and visa versa. Being probably the most right handed guy on the planet it was very weird at first but as has been said, after a while it just becomes standard and you don't sweat it so much. Like the Nike commercials say, Just Do It. At first it will feel very ackward but in time that will go away once you get some muscle memory going.