How do you hold your razor?

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03-19-2010, 03:48 PM
ShavedZombie

How do you hold your razor?

A question that came to me after seeing this picture: Market Heights Home

Notice how he holds the razor... Three fingers on the spine ahead of the scales, and his pinkie on the tail... I've always held my razor with two on the spine, ring finger on the tail, and then my pinkie just hanging off...

So, I looked up some razors with thumb notches... The, for the most part, all seem to be moved forwards enough to accomodate three fingers on the spine, making two fingers a little awkward...

What do you guys do? What's your razor grip like?

Cheers,
Jeremy
03-19-2010, 03:59 PM
BingoBango

I put two fingers on the tang, sometimes... :hmmm: Sometimes I have my thumb on top, if I'm doing ATG. I've also held the tang from the sides for ATG or touch ups. It'll let the razor "give" a little more, which is good if you ever read Jimmy's signature.
03-19-2010, 04:00 PM
Bruce

First two fingers on the shank with thumb under and ring finger on the tail with the pinkie pointing in typical high fashion.

:beer2:
03-19-2010, 04:02 PM
JimmyHAD

My index and middle finger on the spine ahead of the scales and my ring and little finger on the monkey tail. I tried that grip in the book and maybe could get used to it but what I've been doing is working so I'm not going to fix it. :)
03-19-2010, 04:05 PM
Infotech

Maybe it's a barber thing. The barber teaching in this video holds it the same way - as the barber in the picture you posted. I hold mine with two fingers on the spine and ring finger on the monkey tail. I tried it the other way but it didn't feel right. Maybe it gives you more control when you're shaving some one else...

Barber straight razor demonstration / tutorial shave

http://2.gvt0.com/ThumbnailServer2?a...GaavuCwXo6Q9M=

http://3.gvt0.com/ThumbnailServer2?a...bXt3azDRyMxXE=
03-19-2010, 05:01 PM
ShavedZombie

Well, At least I'm not the minority :)

And, Paul, I also mix it up like that.. I do my entire shave right handed, so, at times, I hold the razor like a Kamisori.. make it fully straight (scales straight with the tang, more or less) and hold it sorta like a pencil... I can't describe it any better
03-19-2010, 05:06 PM
JimmyHAD

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShavedZombie

Well, At least I'm not the minority :)

And, Paul, I also mix it up like that.. I do my entire shave right handed, so, at times, I hold the razor like a Kamisori.. make it fully straight (scales straight with the tang, more or less) and hold it sorta like a pencil... I can't describe it any better

+1, I do the same thing. Whatever works.
03-19-2010, 05:07 PM
ShavedZombie

I could just never get it with my left hand... I even tried the whole "only brush your teeth/hair with your left hand" thing... I just don't trust that guy .... :p

And my rightie method works quite wel for me.
03-19-2010, 05:27 PM
Infotech

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShavedZombie

I could just never get it with my left hand... I even tried the whole "only brush your teeth/hair with your left hand" thing... I just don't trust that guy .... :p

And my rightie method works quite wel for me.

I'm left handed for everything, but oddly enough I think I can shave better using a straight with my right hand (for now). I can barely use my right hand to tie my shoes so this was a big surprise. I don't even like shaving with a DE right handed, but for some reason it feels natural with a straight razor.
03-19-2010, 05:29 PM
fccexpert

I'm a two finger on top guy myself. That's what seems natural so that's how I do it. The three finger grip is the classic way to hold a straight razor, but it seems ackward to me.
03-19-2010, 05:31 PM
Slartibartfast

Whatever works for you.

check out this wiki page for the various grips used.

Different ways to hold a straight razor - Straight Razor Place Wiki
03-19-2010, 05:41 PM
Bruce

Quote:

Originally Posted by Infotech

I'm left handed for everything, but oddly enough I think I can shave better using a straight with my right hand (for now). I can barely use my right hand to tie my shoes so this was a big surprise. I don't even like shaving with a DE right handed, but for some reason it feels natural with a straight razor.

Info,

I'm right hand dominant and somewhat ambidexterous, but for the life of me cannot, absolutely cannot deal cards with my right hand. Gotta do it leftly. Shaving I do with both hands. Interesting how this stuff works, ain't it? :confused:

:beer2:
03-19-2010, 06:38 PM
Obie

How do you hold your razor?

Hello, everyone:

My style is index and middle finger on the shank, ring and little finger on the tang. Going against the grain on the neck and the cheeks calls for improvisation.

Regards,
Obie
03-19-2010, 08:38 PM
The_Pastor

3 Attachment(s)

I have three basic grips:

My thumb is the controlling factor.

Attachment 39643

Attachment 39644

Attachment 39645
03-19-2010, 08:58 PM
gssixgun

In my right hand, never in my left hand, :)
03-19-2010, 09:35 PM
Disburden

I have been trying to teach myself how to use this grip the past few days or so and I actually think I like it better than the common three finger grip I have learned from these sites. I feel like I can control the edge of the razor easier, especially on my right side.
03-19-2010, 09:45 PM
LarryP

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShavedZombie

I could just never get it with my left hand... I even tried the whole "only brush your teeth/hair with your left hand" thing... I just don't trust that guy .... :p

And my rightie method works quite wel for me.

I'm with ShavedZombie... I'm a rightie, and I just don't trust the guy operating my left hand to properly operate something that sharp! :)
03-20-2010, 05:45 AM
wuff

I sometimes use two fingers on the tang with ring finger on the tail, for the most part just hold it straight like kamisori.
03-20-2010, 12:21 PM
RoadKingMoe

I'm right-handed, with barely functional coordination in my left, but I'm forcing myself to mirror everything I do with the right hand using the left. It's improving. Main grips are 1, 3, and 10, including little finger opposite ring finger on monkey tail, as shown.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/srpwi...0px-Grip_1.jpg http://straightrazorpalace.com/srpwi...0px-Grip_3.jpg http://straightrazorpalace.com/srpwi...px-Grip_10.JPG
03-20-2010, 03:22 PM
paco

Quote:

Originally Posted by Infotech

Maybe it's a barber thing.

It is a barber thing. Back in 1970 when I was in barber school here in New Orleans, when all that is taught for 12 months was Haircutting and shaving, we were taught 3 fingers on spine and pinkey on tang with thumb underneath as the basic grip. From there adjust to move around face.
However like most are saying do what ever lifts your skirt or floats your boat.
03-20-2010, 03:35 PM
Del1r1um

I grip a few ways, but usually I use a modified version of the index/middle finger on the tang grip that lots have already described. The difference is that I grip a bit closer to the pivot, and only my index finger on the blade side of the pivot... I use my middle finger like most use their ring :shrug:

I did try the "mirrored" grip the other day because it looked crazy, and it worked fine for me
03-21-2010, 10:01 PM
ShawnWmDavis

index and thumb hold the tang like some hippie smoking a lefty, middle finger in the tail curve. dunno why but its comfy for me

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