Shaving difficulty

Hey,

Im looking for a bit of advise.

Iv been learning to shave with a straight razor and not doing too bad now, iv got to the point where I can save exclusively with the straight razor and not finish off with my trusty DE.

My real problem comes when I start to shave the left hand side of my face. I find it very difficult and feels very unnatural. Do you more experienced guys swap hands when you switch to shaving the left hand side? or do you think that its just part of the learning curve with your right hand?

id appreciate your input

Thanks

I switch hands. I sometimes use my left hand on the right side of my face and visa versa. However, I've seen lots of videos where guys shave with one hand only and do so very adroitly. Keep at it, and you'll figure out your style. Also, watch lots of videos, and you'll pick up a lot of ideas.

I use both hands, took a few months of getting used to but it does give you more options in the long run. I'm glad I persevered, trying to shave with one hand now feels very restrictive. Having said that if it's not for you there's plenty people shavin just fine with one hand.

Takes time,I use both hands,Keep at it and it will become second nature.

I still use one hand but I am practicing the cheek only with my other. You will get good with one hand only if you keep at it. Took me a couple months to be really good. My neck is the reason I am practicing but lately that has been really good too

And yet I try

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Originally Posted by Proinsias

I use both hands, took a few months of getting used to but it does give you more options in the long run. I'm glad I persevered, trying to shave with one hand now feels very restrictive. Having said that if it's not for you there's plenty people shavin just fine with one hand.

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Exactly this. I use both hands with a straight and getting used to using my left hand took some time and felt unnatural at the start. When I shave with a DE I only use my right, master, hand. Do whatever works for you and you are comfortable with.

Bob

I use two hands. It seemed a little strange at first, but became second nature quite quickly. The thing that I do that I have not seen in the videos is that I change my grip and scale position for different areas of my face. It is all about finding how it works best for you. I don't think there are any hard cast rules. It takes a while to learn any new skill.

I use both hands...on both sides. There are some areas of my face and neck, and some strokes that are easier to reach/execute with one hand or the other.

I'm still figuring it all out, so I don't shave the same way every time, anyway. And it depends on the blade, too; I switch hands differently depending on the blade's width.

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

It really does take time, but in a little while it gets easier. After a year, I still experiment with different grip positions and angles.

I switch between hands on both sides of my face and neck for what is the easiest stroke for me. I also hold the razor differently as I shave depending on what part of the face I am on. Isn't there an old quote, "Ya douse whad ya gotta douse." Have fun and experiment till you finf what works for you, then refine it.

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.

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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.

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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!

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Originally Posted by Dzanda

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

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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. :nj

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Originally Posted by beluga

I'd give my right arm to be ambidextrous. :nj

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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.

Good trick if you can do it without bleeding to death first LOL. I just started and have only finished my second SR shave. Right hand only. Not the best, but adequate for my second shave. Good idea that, trying the opposite cheek first with the left hand to first get an idea how it feels. I believe that is the trick! Smooth, hopefully nick free shaves to all.