I started using dominant hand only thinking, what the heck it wont hurt anything it will be fine, untill I started developing some bad habbits with different ways I had to try to shave. For example and people will think I'm crazy, I can't remember where but one place while going XTG to get it right I had to take the razor back to where the spine was at the back of the scales and using thumb and fore finger hold the tip of the blade and shave XTG, deffinatly not good, although it worked I knew it was a bad habbit to start and I'm happy now that I stopped.

What I do and I don't know if other people do it to, but with my right hand going with the grain I'll go WTG on the right side of my face, then the same with my left hand going on the left side of my face, then after I re-lather to go XTG I use my right hand to shave the left side of my face and then my left hand to shave the right side, going up (XTG) its easier for me. To hold the razor with my right hand and shave the right side of my face XTG feels so darn weird the way I have my arm its much easier for me to do opposing side. Now if other people do this I'm not completely sure, makes more sence to me.

I say the first time you shave, take your time and don't get discouraged if you nick yourself. But use both hands so you don't develope habbits. You will get the hang of it, the more you do the technique the better you will get, as the same for everything in life practice makes perfect.

Funny thing, the very first time I shaved with a striaght razor I didn't nick or cut myself at all! Sence then there have been very few bloodless shaves. Although most are from bumps on my face but some are from accidently mishandling the razor.

As I was about to quote untill I relized he posted here, look at JimmyHAD's quote.

"An old barber told me to hold the razor securely but lightly enough so that is if it pulls the razor will flex in your fingers and be less likely to nick. He also told me to never force it if it does pull. Following that advice I have rarely gotten a nick"

Practice this while you shave with your non dominant hand ecspecially, as you probably know if you lurk around here, your razor should never pull.

Hope this helped in anyway!

-Zach