Ready to start SR shaving again, might have to shave both sides with one hand though

I havent shaved with a straight razor in almost 2 years due to a chest/shoulder injury and a lot of travel time where I didnt want to check my bags. Luckily I work from home now and can take my time in the mornings...if I wake up early enough.

Anyway, I have lost some fine motor skills in my right shoulder and Im a bit worried that if I try to use a straight razor with that hand, Im going to cut myself. Luckily, I happen to be left handed, however, Ive always shaved with the correct hand for each side of my face. Does anyone else shave one handed? If so, do you have any trouble stretching the skin? For some reason, it just seems much more complicated too me.

Thanks!

Damn!! Welcome back Sir!
I shave one handed and find no troubles at all. I suppose, since you have always been a 2 handed shaver it will take a little time to get used to shavng 1 handed but you'll get it down fairly quick.

I have always shaved one handed, I never saw the need to do it any other way since I can get a perfectly good shave using only my dominant hand.

Maybe I'll give it a shot tomorrow. The only razor I have that is still sharp enough to shave is my 12/8 from Bill. Although Lynn has generously offered to hone a few razors for me, up until this month I didnt have the money to send them to him. I finally got the promotion I had wanted for the last 2+ years, which includes working from home and a slightly larger paycheck...at least enough to insure and mail a few razors out. I started using a safety razor again after my injury as its quick and easy, but certainly isnt very enjoyable.

I have to get some shaving soap, Ive been shaving myself dry or using bar soap for a while. Sometimes I have gone a week or two without shaving at all, since I dont have to face customers 99% of the time...talk about falling off the wagon.


.P.S. thanks for the welcome back guys. I fell off the face of the planet in depression after the injury and just burried myself in my work and grad school. I stayed away from SRP when I knew I couldnt afford anything new; it was depressing to see what I couldnt have. I guess Im over that now.

Im glad to hear you are back in circulation and you you have not lost interest in this rewarding hobby that we all share on this site.Sorry to hear that you were hurt.As far as you shaving with one hand ,I think you will do just fine.I think you shaving with using right or left hand took more talent than I will ever have.I am right handed and only shave with that hand.So in saying this I wish you and yours all the best,and dont give up.Peace!!!:)

Welcome back. 12/8??? That's… really cool actually. Hehe. Sorry to hear about your problems.

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Originally Posted by AlanII

Welcome back. 12/8??? That's… really cool actually. Hehe. Sorry to hear about your problems.

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It's the one in his sig line. By the way JL, I wouldn't try shaving one handed with that big bastard! two hands on that razor at all times!!;):D

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Originally Posted by JMS

It's the one in his sig line. By the way JL, I wouldn't try shaving one handed with that big bastard! two hands on that razor at all times!!;):D

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Its pretty easy to use, gravity does all the work, you just have to make sure you dont let it slice through a cheek or move side to side. I have a nice 1840's 9/8s that I like, but all my razors are too expensive for me to replace, they all need to be honed, and I am still paranoid about shipping them. I guess with insurance I'll be ok.

Welcome back. For the past year and a half I've shaved with my dominant hand and stretched with the other. I've only started shaving ambidextrously recently. Anyhow it is doable and you will find it easy once you get used to it.

Welcome back.
At the end of may I had an auto accident. Long story short, in the past I shaved with both R. and L. hand. Due to the broken metacarpel in the left hand I am now back to using my right. I have limited grip in the left still.
It is possible to relearn.
Best to you and yours.
Tim

Welcome back, JL. Good luck with the shaving!

- Scott

Welcome Back! Get any cool guns in the last year?

Good to see you again Josh! Welcome back!

James.

Thanks for all the welcome back messages, its good to be back. I havent been spending much time on the web lately, although I did discover facebook last week. Anyway, its never as polite on the web as it is here.

'

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Originally Posted by AFDavis11

Welcome Back! Get any cool guns in the last year?

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Unfortunately not. I had to sell a gun last year to afford to buy christmas presents, but I think this year will be a lot better. I did manage to save up for a dog and I just found out my breeders dog is pregnant, so for the immediate future, much of my spare cash will hopefully be going towards a puppy. I would like to get a 12 ga pump and an ar-15 or ar-10 in the next year, but we shall see. My truck payment is finally up this month wooohooo!!!

Sounds like this will be a better year! You could always sell one of your 12/8s, there are a lot of those floating around . . . :)

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Originally Posted by AFDavis11

Sounds like this will be a better year! You could always sell one of your 12/8s, there are a lot of those floating around . . . :)

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No way! lol Those are artwork...guns are just tools, not much craftsmanship anymore. Now, if I could sell one of my wife's cats and make a buck...that would be an option hehe.

Oh dude your going to need a two floor doghouse if that posts stays up too long. :)

I have experimented between 1 and 2 handed shaving, but, for me, personally, I like to shave 1 handed. Mainly, because I have a beard, and it is easier to shave around the areas I need to. Secondly, I have a full body tremor, and I find that if I use my right hand over the left, I can easily hold my arm against my body to keep the tremor under control while shaving. It takes practice, but in time, it comes together. I do the same during photography while trying to keep a still hand. Tremors make straight razor shaving difficult, but not impossible.

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Originally Posted by AFDavis11

Oh dude your going to need a two floor doghouse if that posts stays up too long. :)

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lol...No doggie, we do not eat the kitties...well ok, maybe just that one. :w I dont mind the cats that much actually, but I could do with a few less. They are entertaining, sort of like a bunch of drunken monkeys.

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Originally Posted by headspin

I have experimented between 1 and 2 handed shaving, but, for me, personally, I like to shave 1 handed. Mainly, because I have a beard, and it is easier to shave around the areas I need to. Secondly, I have a full body tremor, and I find that if I use my right hand over the left, I can easily hold my arm against my body to keep the tremor under control while shaving. It takes practice, but in time, it comes together. I do the same during photography while trying to keep a still hand. Tremors make straight razor shaving difficult, but not impossible.

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That is inspiring, I appreciate the input. I commend you on your bravery, Id be to scared to take on this hobby in your position. Best of luck and thanks for the tips.

Hi Josh,

Tis good to see you back on here. Anyway, one handed will probably be easy for you to pick up. You definitely wanna make sure you have a good field of vision though for the reach across strokes. When you're not used to it, it can be harder to see some spots and all it might take is to just turn your head a little to one side or the other.

Have fun,

Lynn

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Originally Posted by Lynn

Hi Josh,

Tis good to see you back on here. Anyway, one handed will probably be easy for you to pick up. You definitely wanna make sure you have a good field of vision though for the reach across strokes. When you're not used to it, it can be harder to see some spots and all it might take is to just turn your head a little to one side or the other.

Have fun,

Lynn

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Thanks Lynn :) I dont have a very good field of vision due both to several eye surgeries and a bit of trauma to my eyes in my teens and early 20's. I do however have a 3 sided mirror, Im assuming that will help. To tell you the truth I had trouble seeing what I was doing with 2 hands, but moreso on my left side, so that shouldnt change. I didnt have a 3 sided mirror before when I shaved though, now we have a medicine cabinet with 3 mirror doors that I can adjust as needed.

You should get a giant razor - I mean huge, like 12/8 or something - that will take care of those whiskers for you with least effort

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Originally Posted by hoglahoo

You should get a giant razor - I mean huge, like 12/8 or something - that will take care of those whiskers for you with least effort

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I knew there was a reason I had that 12/8 made! :)

I decided to wait a few days. I have to go to the corporate office tomorrow to see a few people, I was to afraid that I would cut myself and have to spend too much time explaining why lol. Wednesday morning is the morning :)

I shave one handed and my cross shave coordination is much better than the regular shave side. Stretching skin isn't a problem. I just wrap my arm around the back of my neck.

My dear JL,

I have a philosophy: that things are never as bad as they seem, unless you're lying on your death bed, in which case, then, it is too late.

I do feel your pain and frustration with your current physical handicap. Several months ago I all but gave up straight razor shaving because of physical problems with my left hand. It was mostly in my left thumb. Since I shave with both hands, I could not adjust to shaving with my right hand only. That or perhaps I failed to try harder.

Sadly, I sold my straights so that others could enjoy something that I no longer could.

Fortunately my hand began to improve and I bought several new straights. Now I shave daily with a straight razor. I began slowly, shaving with the straight only on weekends, and only one pass, finishing off with the double edge.

Still, I fear the day might come when my left thumb will probably give out again. This time, however, I will try a little harder to adjust to one-handed shaving, mindful of several trappings, including field of vision, which Lynn wisely points out.

It is either that or giving up straights. What do you suppose I would do? You are right. The same as you.

Regards,

Obie

Hey Josh,

good to have you back! Shame your shoulder did not fully recover. I remember explaining some of the medical terms to you and the scan results had me worried from the moment I read them.

I have always shaved right-handedly and never even felt the need to learn to shave with 2 hands. So it is possible but you have to relearn. But you are still young (compared to my 48 years) so I am sure you'll manage!

BTW: I still feel you need to learn how to hone your own! lol There's plenty of equipment to stabilize the hone on your worktop so you really need only one hand to move the razor across the hone!