Thread: Dominant Hand

For the cross grain I do the same thing and use only my right hand. It's pretty easy for me, actually. For the neck it's difficult to go "across" since the blade doesn't really allow for that, so I use both hands for different spots, going up/down/diagonal. Whatever it takes, really. Surprisingly, it's my throat (the most vulnerable area) where I'm the least picky about what hand I'm using. I'm right-handed, but the left can tackle the job just as well, if not better.

I did my first morning straight razor shave today. Pretty good, pretty good.

Assuming the cross pass is from ear to nose, I would have no problem, as a righty, with the left side, but how do you do the right? Do you go in reverse (nose to ear), in which case it's not the same pass?

Originally Posted by Blade Wielder

For the cross grain I do the same thing and use only my right hand. It's pretty easy for me, actually. For the neck it's difficult to go "across" since the blade doesn't really allow for that, so I use both hands for different spots, going up/down/diagonal. Whatever it takes, really. Surprisingly, it's my throat (the most vulnerable area) where I'm the least picky about what hand I'm using. I'm right-handed, but the left can tackle the job just as well, if not better.

I did my first morning straight razor shave today. Pretty good, pretty good.

If going from the nose to the ear is considered "reverse," I do that for both sides of my face - both with the right hand.

I always start with the left side, and my "cross-grain" is more of a upwards angle, heading briefly over the cheeck and then kind of up the jaw line. At the top of the sideburn I carefully go completely horizontal, getting as many of the hairs as I can, before I flip the blade over and go completely upward (again with the right hand). So for most of that I guess I'm using more of a "push."

For the right side it's the opposite, since instead of pushing forward I stretch the skin (basically by using my facial muscles to pull my lips to the left) and then work "backwards" with the blade just as I do with the other cheek.

As long as the whiskers flow down the basin drain, whatever works is kewl!

Originally Posted by Blade Wielder

If going from the nose to the ear is considered "reverse," I do that for both sides of my face - both with the right hand.

I always start with the left side, and my "cross-grain" is more of a upwards angle, heading briefly over the cheeck and then kind of up the jaw line. At the top of the sideburn I carefully go completely horizontal, getting as many of the hairs as I can, before I flip the blade over and go completely upward (again with the right hand). So for most of that I guess I'm using more of a "push."

For the right side it's the opposite, since instead of pushing forward I stretch the skin (basically by using my facial muscles to pull my lips to the left) and then work "backwards" with the blade just as I do with the other cheek.

I'm trying to understand this because I have some of those awkward positions. I guess your right hand is coming over and across your head with the razor down? I can't think of another way to do that.

Originally Posted by Blade Wielder

If going from the nose to the ear is considered "reverse," I do that for both sides of my face - both with the right hand.

I always start with the left side, and my "cross-grain" is more of a upwards angle, heading briefly over the cheeck and then kind of up the jaw line.

No, actually the toe of the blade is pointed upward in both instances.

So if I'm doing the right side, I pull the skin with my left hand on the chin/jaw, and vice versa for the other side.

I hope that's clear.

Ahhhh... For my cross grain pass I start at the left ear, heel of blade stays downward for the whole pass. I go from left ear to all the way across my chin. Then another stroke from slightly above the first stroke acroos my upper cheek to the top lip. Third stroke I start slightly below the ear pulling the skin of my jaw upward, this gets a nice close cut right under the jaw line, I continue the stroke under the angle of the chin finishing just on the right side of my face. Kind of like a chinstrap. I stroke acrros my upper lip then lower lip.
Straight down th cleft under my nose.

For the right side I make pretty much the same pattern as the left only I am starting from the nose and mout area and pulling towards my right ear. It feels a little awkward and you really have to pay attention to the angle of your blade. I just found it easier for some reason than switching hands.

I don't cross cut my neck but do a nice light second pass with the grain.

Wish I was a bit more ambidexterous, but find this way works for me.

I also agree with Uthed. As long as it's whiskers and not chunks of meat going down the drain.

PS- If that is actually a picture of you Blade Weilder, It looks as if you only need to shave once a year with that baby face!

Actually, Dr. Phong, my face demands a shave every day - though it doesn't always get it.