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Hi Guys! Any tips for the new guys in learning to shave using both hands vs. the cross hand approach? I always recommend starting with just the area under the sideburn on the opposite side until the person gets used the the feel of the razor in the non dominant hand. 8)
Must have timed out......lol. Lynn :lol:
Get used to holding the razor with the non-dominant hand. It feels very foreign and unnatural at first. Slowly, with lots of concentration, shave the easy spots like the cheeks. Enjoy lots of success, build confidence, and then slowly expand the area you're shaving.
It's a process of training fine motor control with a hand that typically doesn't do much. For example, I can write with my left hand, but it looks very kindergarten-like. Likewise, folks who shoot handguns should invest time shooting with their non-dominant hand.
I was apprehensive to use my right hand to shave with... I instantly had hallucinations of blood pooling in the sink :lol:
Turned out, it wasn’t that bad (obviously). The advice I would give that helped me is:
- Watch Lynn's Video: It helps to watch anything you’re trying to learn, and it builds a little confidence watching some one actually pull off a goofy handed shave
- Play with and fondle the razor: we all like to do that anyway.. So just do it with your "goofy" hand to get some dexterity built up.
- As Kyle and Lynn have pointed out: start some place flat and easy and go slow
As with anything, it just takes practice. The more you can use your goofy hand to build up the dexterity the better off you'll be. Im very close to being ambidexterous, and yet I still have more difficulty on my right side while shaving with my right hand (in case it isn't obvious by now I'm left handed :lol: )
I would also add that you might try to practice with a bit of soap on your face, and a plastic knife - like from a fast food place. Shave all the soap off with opposing hands.
I think the TOUGHEST thing with shaving with the non-dominant hand is getting the ANGLE of the blade to face correct! Once that is accomplished, it moves pretty fast from there.
Learning to shave with the non-dominant hand is an invaluable skill in straight razor shaving....
For me, it was it was not very hard to shave with both hands, since i had to learn SR shaving from scratch, so i think the best advice a newbie can get is: start shaving with both hands from start. That way you will build technique on both hands equally.
I have shaved with straight razor with both hands over 10 times now, with no major injuries. Only one light cut on my chin on shave two (i think) wich go away with cold water splash. Actually, i shaved with the shavette, but i think that qualifies too... :)
Yeah, I just started this last week, and have been shaving both-handed because I found it easier. I couldn't figure out how you'd cross hands and still have enough control.
One thing that can help, is to make a point of using your "goofy" hand as the dominate one for other tasks as a deliberate decision. Opening doors, eating, etc. Just don't kill yourself! Most people can learn to be ambidextrious if you practice. This is what baseball players do when trying to learn to be switch hitters, too.
I can use my left on some of the flats. With my right hand I find that I can shave both up and down on the right but the left side only down comfortably. I use the regulation grip most of the time but do shift my fingers for certain angle & direction changes.
John in Covina