Straight shaving with dominant hand only

Hello folks,

Im new to straight shaving only 12 shaves in with a shavett, getting pretty decent results. Im curious is shaving with two hands with a straight always been a rule of thumb? I do better shaving with my dominant hand only. I went to the barber to get a hair cut today thats barbered 50 years and i asked him his opinion, and he said dominant hand only. Then i told him well when you shave clients you use one hand and you can walk around the client and position your self differently. When shaving myself would it be easier to shave with both hands, but my dominant hand is more comfortable. He told me of a barber the he worked with, infact side by side for more than 30 years has been passed many years now, but he told me that guy would come to work every morning at 6:30 am strop his razor and shave with one hand.

both hands are better since you can switch angles better. But, I only use my dominant hand and do just fine.

I'm lucky to be ambidextrous, but do better with my dominant hand. I use both hands though

I'm still fairly new, so still training my non-dominant hand.
As coachschaller, mentions the angles really do matter.
Pulling is easier than pushing (at least for me). [By pulling I mean right hand, going from left side to right side of face.]

Of course when I am not feeling as confident, then dominant hand only. At which point good enough is good enough.

I wonder how the gents did it back in the 1800s?

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Originally Posted by Southbound

I wonder how the gents did it back in the 1800s?

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Can't remember the book out there that is from the early 1920's that show how to shave and they show both hands.

That is what I do - learned to shave against the grain with left hand. Not the easiedt but getting there.

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I would imagine there was a fairly even distribution back in the day compared to now. Only real difference is nowadays we learn by watching YouTube & reading guides. Back then up until not too long ago the greater majority learned by watching their father shave, so they were likely to do it the same way he did.

I use only my right hand. It was awkward at first, getting my left sideburns visible enough to get it right, but after a few shaves it got pretty easy. It's 6 of one, half dozen of the other.

It's a matter of personal preference and comfort.
I was comfortable with a razor in my left (non dominant) hand from day one seeing that I am almost ambidextrous. Some guys can never get comfortable with a razor in their non dominant hand.
It's just a matter of finding your comfort zone and doing what works for you.

Pete <:-}

I shave with 2 hands or one hand,, its just how I feel at the moment. but I feel you should be able to use both hands ccause what if you injured one? Tc

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Originally Posted by Cincinnatus

Can't remember the book out there that is from the early 1920's that show how to shave and they show both hands.

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It's called The Art Of Shaving available on amazon. Can't seem to repost the link from my phone

It's funny to think back when I used a DE only it was tough for me to shave with my left. I was lucky enough to take to using both hands with my SR pretty easily. I have actually never tried to shave with my right hand only, not sure I would know how.

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Originally Posted by Dieseld

It's called The Art Of Shaving available on amazon. Can't seem to repost the link from my phone

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Thanks - that is the one.

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I can only shave with my dominant right hand. :(
But,,,,,
I can load magazines & deflect assaults with my left hand really well. :)

I'd give my right arm to be ambidextrous.... [emoji57]

I am not quite there yet, but I can at least use a straight razor with either hand.

B.




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Only 12 shaves in with your dominant hand is still learning with that one.

If you have confidence in your ability there is no reason that you won't become able with both hands.

I use both, but there are some highly skilled shavers that only use one. IMO, you should learn whatever method feels most natural to you. Later, after you've gained skill with your chosen method, you can always branch out and try something else if you are so inclined.

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Originally Posted by beluga

I'd give my right arm to be ambidextrous.... [emoji57]

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That would kinda defeat the purpose wouldn't it? Hahahaha

I went straight in with using both hands. I just figured I am learning a new skill anyway, why not try it with both.

It seemed to work for me.

Why not try something like lathering with your left hand, it might help with the feel of using your non-dominant hand and it won't cut you.

I think that you will find it a beneficial skill to learn.

Good luck on your journey, take your time and enjoy.

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Originally Posted by Dieseld

It's called The Art Of Shaving available on amazon. Can't seem to repost the link from my phone

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I believe he may be referring to the book called Shaving Made Easy. The book illustrates shaving the left side of the face with the right hand.

https://archive.org/stream/shavingma...ge/67/mode/1up

I prefer shaving using my dominant hand only.

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Originally Posted by Hirlau

I can only shave with my dominant right hand. :(
But,,,,,
I can load magazines & deflect assaults with my left hand really well. :)

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That's the problem right there. Too much time beating up those innocent folks desensitized your hand so now you can't shave with it. You should have used a kel Lite like me.

I've always used both hands shaving. Being left handed pretty much forces you to be ambidextrous so it's easier for us.

Guilty, I am. :(

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Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I've always used both hands shaving. Being left handed pretty much forces you to be ambidextrous so it's easier for us.

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^^^^ This right here, us Southpaws got it right :y

My Father, who barbered back in the late '60's and '70's taught me how to shave with a SR. And he INSISTED I used both hands. He even insisted I used both when using a DE. As a result, even after many years of not using a SR, when I returned to it, I didn't even think about using only my dominant. It just felt 'normal' to use both.

My Father, however, when shaving customers used only his dominant. But, both when shaving himself.

[QUOTE=Porl;1687612]Why not try something like lathering with your left hand, QUOTE]

It's funny you say that. If I try to face lather with my left, it's like I have a retard hand. It just don't work right!

I actually lather and shave with both hands......

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Originally Posted by AcesandEights

My Father, who barbered back in the late '60's and '70's taught me how to shave with a SR. And he INSISTED I used both hands. He even insisted I used both when using a DE. As a result, even after many years of not using a SR, when I returned to it, I didn't even think about using only my dominant. It just felt 'normal' to use both.

My Father, however, when shaving customers used only his dominant. But, both when shaving himself.

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Makes all sense to me.

I never spend much time thinking about it, but - unlike when I use a safety razor - for a straight razor shave, the required movements naturally lend themselves my use of both hands.

By comparison, moving around a person in a barber chair gives the barber a wide range of movements and there is no need to use anything but the dominant hand.

So - unless I have an out of body experience - I use both hands for a straight shave and my dominant hand for the few times I use a safety razor.


For lathering, after an accident years back that somehow slowed the wrist movement on my left hand, I use my dominant, right hand sinceI found no benefit using both.



B.



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Funny thing is I have been shaving with a straight for the past 30 years, but have never really given any thought to using both hands. Creature of habit I guess. Might just have to give it a try.

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Originally Posted by Dieseld

I actually lather and shave with both hands......

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Lather right and shave with both.

I tried going dominant hand once but gave up and used a DE (dominant hand only) until the non-dominant hand healed up.

Dominant hand only, never needed to use any other method.

Because I was born with Erb's Palsy in my right arm/shoulder, I do everything left handed... I WISH I could use both to shave with... but if I even try to write with my right hand, it looks like a 3 year old tried it... My arms look fairly normal now, and can use my right hand/arm, but I don't have NEAR the dexterity... when shaving, I use my right hand to stretch the skin... but I dare not try to use it holding a razor against my neck!

I use both hands when shaving because that's how I learned when watching videos on how to use straight. I don't feel awkward using both, it just sort of came naturally when I started. Face lathering though is something else. I've been training my left non dominant hand for half a year now and it's still awkward.