The Straight and Physical Limitations
Gentlemen,
Physical limitations sometimes call for improvising more than usual in the straight razor shave. In my case, that is especially true.
For instance, arthritis in my hands, especially in the right thumb, prevents me from using certain motions with my straight razor. The same thing with the stiffness in my shoulders. By switching hands from the start, however, I have come to manage my physical shortcomings that have increased with age. If I recall, a long time ago Lynn suggested to switch hands. I will always thank the noble Lynn for that advice. These days I really take advantage of my skill in switching hands with the straight razor.
I even switch hands when using the safety razor. And the shaving brush.
Still, there is little I can do to reduce the razor's weight on my hands, or to better manage the really big blades. That's why, to much sadness, I have had to pass on all my custom straight razors. They were beauties and I miss them, but they took a toll on my hands because of their size and weight. This has even extended to my use of certain heavy safety razors.
That's my reality. Yet, I refuse to walk away from my straight razors. Even if the world comes to an end, I am sticking to my straights. So I improvise and do the best I can to manage my physical limitations.
I avoid strops with a heavy or heavier draw: Latigo, English Bridle, and so on. The Kanayama strops are ideal for me, because of their light and silky draw. I still use my Tony Miller, SRD and Illinois strops, especially on square and Spanish point razors, but in time I will probably pass them on, too.
Gentlemen, how do you manage your physical limitations, if any, with the straight razor and the whole traditional shaving ritual?
