Gentlemen,

I started shaving with one finger on top of the shank. Later, for some reason, I changed to two and it became my standard way of holding the razor, with both right and left hands, since I switch. Some shavers even use three fingers on top. Whatever works, of course. This morning, using my 13/16 Kikuokan, I had to revert to one finger on top of the shank to maintain the proper angle and fit for my hands.

The standard length for straight razor blades is about three inches or so. The blade on this razor is shorter. Also, unlike, say, Thiers-Issard razors with shanks a mile long, which can easily accommodate even three fingers on top, this one has a short shank. The tang is short, too. Not a stub tail, but short nevertheless. So I had no choice but to hold the razor with one finger on top. By Jove, after all these years, it did not feel uncomfortable at all.

Whatever feels right is the right way of holding a straight razor. And you, gentlemen, are you a one, two or three-finger shaver? And do you find yourself switching back and forth to obtain the proper hold on different razor?