Gentlemen:

The first time I shaved with the straight razor I switched hands with relative ease. My mother was ambidextrous and I think I get some of that from her. At the same time, I began using my non-dominant hand more for the daily activities, such as brushing teeth, opening doors, and so on. That practice still continues to keep the non-dominant hand well oiled.

I still switch hands. My style of switching hands and holding the razor with the forefinger only on the shank developed from observing and emulating my shave guru, the noble Lynn Abrams.

Switching hands gives me flexibility, whereas using my dominant hand only limits me somewhat. That's my recommendation for newbies: switch hands, if you can, and if you can't, there is nothing wrong with using the dominant hand. With the double edge, I still switch hands, although I am not as strict about it as I am with the straight.

Either way, find your comfort zone using the straight razor and stay with it. Mine is to switch hands with the forefinger only on the shank. Of course, depending on what part of the face I am shaving, that hold varies to accommodate the shave.

Regards,

Obie