I am new at straight razor shaving. At times I get into my shave that occationaly I forget to switch hands (from my right, strong hand to my left).
This got me wondering how many of you just shave with one hand?
Thanks,
Harry
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I am new at straight razor shaving. At times I get into my shave that occationaly I forget to switch hands (from my right, strong hand to my left).
This got me wondering how many of you just shave with one hand?
Thanks,
Harry
I shave with my dominant hand only.
I use both but it is a case of whatever works for you. No really right or wrong way of doing it. Oth I use only my dominant hand shaving with a DE/SE razor.
Bob
When I first started I was adamant about teaching myself to use both hands. Right hand for the right side, left had for the left side. Don't know why, I just forced myself to do it. That being said, what's the big deal if you do it one way or the other? As long as you get the amazing straight razor experience and a close comfortable shave. Here's 2 videos, of masters doing it both ways.
One hand.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79aLI7BF8zI
Switching hands
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_I_B2sodbg
When I first started, I used both as that is how I thought it had to be. Now, because it seems to work better for me, I use my right hand on left side for ATG on my neck.
I'd suggest learning both hands first, then going with what works best. You might find using both hands best. The angles are a little different depending on what hand you use.
The only rule there needs to be, is for you to enjoy your shave.
I do, but I'll tell you that on one of my early shaves I was concentrating so hard on technique that I sliced my thumb down to the tendon switching hands. I needed four stitches at one of those walk in clinics. In fact the doctor laughed after I told him how it happened.
Having said that, and now as a 5-year veteran of the straight, it really didn't take long for me to learn to handle the razor with either hand and I'm glad I did. On my first pass, I use the same-side hand WTG. On my second pass, I use opposite hand XTG. On my third pass I use opposite hand ATG.
It helped me a lot to watch YouTube videos of people shaving. At first I couldn't reach all the areas other people could in those videos, but one day I'd start shaving and realized I could.
I think it's easier to be able to use both hands once you learn how, but it's really up to you.
I'm another that uses the dominant hand only. I tried both hands when I first started to shave with a straight, but I found I got the same quality shave using just the one hand.
Gentlemen,
I switched hands with my first straight razor shave — and am happy I did. I find switching hands improves my field of vision for either side of the face. It also adds versatility to my strokes.
Using a butter knife while learning to switch hands will help establish angle, pressure, technique and muscle memory......and you won't get cut.
My reply would have been very similar to HARRYWALLY's post. I find it easier to see what I'm doing and such when I use left for left, right for right. Personal preference.
I use both hands. It came to me easily. I believe it's because I've used both hands when DE shaving for a long time.
When I first picked up shavettes and straights I was determined to teach myself to switch hands. No small task at first since I'm probably the most right handed person on the planet. In time though it became quite comfortable. Then it became reflex. Oddly though, when I use a DE razor it's dominant hand only. I have however, incorporated skin stretching.
Using both hands gives you some advantages. You can see better as you shave and it's easier to get into certain areas and makes other areas less awkward.
However, many just use one hand and have no problems at all.
For me I use both.
I shave with my dominant hand only. But I believe the guys who say that using both hands is better in the long run.
Yea, me too when I use my Mongoose or King Cobra its one handed. But since straights I wanted to try using my week hand (left). And of course I get a better shave with the dominant right hand. Might try the dominant hand on both sides next time out.
H
Im right handed and so I shave solely with right hand , it can be a bit of'a challenge when it comes to the left side of the face when cutting in a sideburn , I find the way im positioned with right hand almost crossing over left eye to be the only problem and possible need to learn to use the left hand to over come this , but over time Ive developed my own way of contorting to get it done and it just comes natural and comfortable now .
It would be good to have or develop the dual dexterity but I would like to keep my upper lip I and just dont trust my un/co lefty
If your shaving comfortably and getting good results using your right hand then I think your on the right track ;)
I use my dominant hand only. I think the visibility issue has a lot to do with the face map and how you have to stretch your skin for a good shave. You may or may not have an issue if your hair grows in a cooperative direction and you don't have loose skin that really needs to be stretched far.
I switch hands because it allows me to see better as I shave, it took some getting used to but I am glad that I did it.
I'm about 55% left-hand and 45% right-hand.
Both hands from the beginning - but confess that I am left handed for some things and right handed for others.
I think it's the dom right eye thing (shoot, bat etc.) vs. the left ( write, cast).
This finally came in handy with shaving with a straight.
Funny thing, it is hard to lather with the non-dominant hand...
Learn to use both, then you can decide whether you prefer it or not. If not, go back to one and if the process of learning becomes unenjoyable, stop.
I shave one handed.
I like to keep it simple, but on the other hand I think there's more to learn.
When I started wet shaving, I read that I should use both hands. So I started brushing my teeth left-handed. I still brush left-handed... I am now very comfortable shaving (DE and straight) with both hands. In fact, I don't think I could do an entire shave with just my right hand. Perhaps I should learn, I might break an arm...
I shave with one hand, changing grips, to get the left and ATG. I use a normal, scale angled grip for the right side, and a scale straight, knife type grip for the left and ATG.
Just a matter of getting used to it, visibility is not a problem.
I ever used both hands, and even do crossed passes - left hand on right side of face - on some areas (e.g. top and sides of my chin and throat) due to some weird growing patches.
Doesn't hurt to learn, but do whatever works better to you.
I don't shave the same way twice. I have some areas of the face that are regimented in that I always use a particular hand and stroke, other areas I just employ whatever suits me at the moment. About a year into my straight razor journey, I would pretend that my right arm was in a cast for a month. Next month, I pretended the left arm was. Yes, I realize this is slightly OCD, but it really honed(pun intended) my shaving technique. Your razor has to be really sharp when not using your off-hand for skin stretching. And you have to make really goofy faces.
Try to use both as much as you can, I do for about 95% of my shave, but there is a couple places where I just can not see, so I revert back to my dominate right hand, shuuuuuuch don't let the retentive tight purists in here know LOL :nono:
Missed this one....great info