Thread: Having a little trouble under the jaw

I'm right handed, and only on day 3 of straight shaving, but I seem to be progressing a bit faster than I originally thought. However, being right handed, I'm having a bit of trouble getting the left underside of my jaw line. What would be the best way to shave this area?

Step one is to map your beard in that area ( as you should for your whole face). Having done that, I discovered diagonal XTG strokes worked best for me, using my left hand. I also occasionally crossover with my right hand to go diagonally the other direction XTG so I've done a sort of X pattern on my neck and under my jaw.

Originally Posted by DS86

I'm right handed, and only on day 3 of straight shaving, but I seem to be progressing a bit faster than I originally thought. However, being right handed, I'm having a bit of trouble getting the left underside of my jaw line. What would be the best way to shave this area?

I think you'll need to learn to use your left hand too. It feels strange at first and you obviously won't be as confidence as with your right, but it'll get better. Relax, practice and enjoy the journey!

At day three of shaving you don't have the facility with the razor yet to do an advanced area like that. Maybe at day 30 it will be easier and more natural. We recommend you advance slowly starting with easy areas first and easy strokes.

Train your left hand you won't regret it, what really helped for me is watching my right hand and then doing the same on the other side. Start with the test shave (from sideburn to jaw line) get used to that and then move onto the next stroke you find easiest and progress from there. If you want to shave right hand only then there are a few videos on YouTube that will help. I have been shaving with a str8 for two years now and can not imagine using my right hand only although it started out that way. Take it easy and you will get there no matter which way you decide to go, for three shaves you are doing well by the sounds of it.

Practice shaving/stropping with a plastic knife. No cuts, no ruined strops - learn to use two hands in the mirror and get your stropping rhythm sorted out - no drama.

So I pulled my neck over my jaw and with the diagonal strokes, that took care of it. I learn something new every day! A little irritation, but not as much as a cartridge.

Skin stretching (pulling the skin over onto your cheek area) will help, but you'll have to teach yourself to use your left hand too.

It sounds difficult, but you'll work it out. You can 'practice' using a butterknife. Just lather up as usual, and use the butterknife to scoop off the lather. It's not the same as shaving, of course, but it will allow you to gain some confidence with the use of that hand.

I am very right handed and so learning to use my left hand took a bit. I picked up a decent razor of similar size to my main one at a local antique store then taped over the edge with electrical tape. This allowed me to practice holding and maneuvering the razor with my left hand without the risk of major blood loss. Seemed to work great and helped me to quickly get more confident with the off hand.

Use your left hand, if I can, anyone can.