Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 28
Like Tree24Likes

Thread: Switching Hands

  1. #1
    Senior Member hasstar's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2015
    Location
    Tampa , area
    Posts
    442
    Thanked: 13

    Default Switching Hands

    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

  2. #2
    Senior Member Badgister's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Montreal, Quebec
    Posts
    1,630
    Thanked: 260

    Default

    I shave with my dominant hand only.
    HARRYWALLY and oldmandon like this.

  3. #3
    Senior Member blabbermouth
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    17,250
    Thanked: 3221

    Default

    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
    rolodave, HARRYWALLY and Thug like this.
    Life is a terminal illness in the end

  4. #4
    I love Burls....... and Acrylic HARRYWALLY's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Baden, Ontario
    Posts
    5,475
    Thanked: 2284

    Default

    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.



    Switching hands

    Firefighter2 likes this.
    Burls, Girls, and all things that Swirl....

  5. #5
    Senior Member apipeguy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    776
    Thanked: 173

    Default

    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.
    Last edited by apipeguy; 09-07-2015 at 01:46 PM.

  6. #6
    (John Ayers in SRP Facebook Group) CaliforniaCajun's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Lafayette, LA
    Posts
    1,542
    Thanked: 270

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by hasstar View Post
    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 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.
    HARRYWALLY and hasstar like this.

    Straight razor shaver and loving it!
    40-year survivor of electric and multiblade razors

  7. #7
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Posts
    175
    Thanked: 20

    Default

    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.
    HARRYWALLY and hasstar like this.

  8. #8
    The Assyrian Obie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Milwaukee, WI
    Posts
    11,145
    Thanked: 2755

    Default

    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.

  9. #9
    Senior Member DoughBoy68's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Crossville, TN
    Posts
    1,711
    Thanked: 304

    Default

    Using a butter knife while learning to switch hands will help establish angle, pressure, technique and muscle memory......and you won't get cut.
    hasstar and Surlyduck like this.
    "If You Knew Half of What I Forgot You Would Be An Idiot" - by DoughBoy68

  10. #10
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Posts
    2,169
    Thanked: 220

    Default

    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.
    hasstar likes this.

Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •