Thread: 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?

Great thread topic. I began straight shaving a few years ago. In the beginning, I learned to use both hands, stretching with one, wielding the blade with the other...shaving my right side with the right hand and visa versa. Then I thought, let's go 180 and shave the left with the right, the right with the left. After that became proficient, I imagined that I only had one arm and learned how to shave with the right and left solo. You have to make some ugly faces to do this! To the point of the thread, I did all this to prepare myself for the possible day that I have some physical limitation.

I salute your refusal to give up straights and your ingenuity in working around what life has thrown at you.

I have had increasing pain in my hands for several years. My Dad had extremely crooked fingers and swollen knuckles for the last couple of decades of his life and mine are heading in that direction. Because I love to hone, I occasionally hone left handed in anticipation of the day when I may no longer be able to do so with my dominant hand. I have no reason to believe one will fail before the other but I want to be prepared just in case. With practice I have found that I can bevel set two razors in two hands on two hones, but the intention is simply to train that other hand.

I can hone and shave left handed but I just realized that I never have stropped left handed. I will have to add that to the practice regimen.

Great thread! We all will have to eventually face up to reality at some point in our lives, but I hope for me it will be far in the future!


Mike

have not shaved with an SR in over a year parkinsons is longer an option(:

Oh Obie, I know the arthritis.

After 10 surgeries on my palms and fingers the hands as a whole work quite well. I use both hands shaving with a straight but only my right for a DE. I have been working on that.

The left knee is another story. Just received another cortisone shot so at present it is in fair shape. The days it does hurt while shaving, I rest the knee between the cabinet doors. This provides some relief.

Originally Posted by rolodave

Oh Obie, I know the arthritis.

After 10 surgeries on my palms and fingers the hands as a whole work quite well. I use both hands shaving with a straight but only my right for a DE. I have been working on that.

The left knee is another story. Just received another cortisone shot so at present it is in fair shape. The days it does hurt while shaving, I rest the knee between the cabinet doors. This provides some relief.

On the other hand, Dave, as long as the hands move and flex at this age, I'm doing okay.

My hands have hurt every day since I put a flat tire off my car in my dads Pickup 2 months ago. Stretching the skin is out of the question right now. RoloDave, I'll trade you your knee for my back any day!, I have double curve scoliosis with a full set of Harrington Rods implanted from top of shoulders to small of my back.

God bless you guys fighting with restrictions and hurdles to the SR shave. You all exhibit a level of commitment and love the rest of us as of yet cannot.

Agree this is a great thread. My biggest challenge is the amount of skin I have to stretch. The ole turkey neck has lots of little crevasses! Also a couple spots seem to start up a little extra fire in a couple of joints. I mostly pull back, slow down, and re-address the trouble spots very gently. It's just shaving after all.