How to hold your razor and what hand to use?

So I have been shaving with a straight for almost three months now. I'm holding my razor like recommended and uses my right hand on my right side and vice versa.
It works somewhat ok for my right side just feeling a little awkward but my left side is a pain overall. I'm getting decent or good enough results on the left side and are quite happy with my right side but I do not feel comfortable holding the razor the way I do.

So after the shave I was trying a few different things. I came up with something that seemed like it could work. I hold the razor like I guess you would hold a Kamisori, the scales in line with the blade. I then only use my right hand on both sides of my face. Without actually shaving it seemed to give me much better control and stability, felt more comfortable and didn't obstruct my vision as much.

Is there any one else that shaves like this or is there a reason why you shouldn't?

In the long run you are probably better off to develop your off hand (non-dominant hand) shaving, but there is certainly nothing wrong with what you are describing. If you just can't get comfortable using your left hand don't worry about it. There are lots of experienced shavers that are in the same boat. Use whatever works for you.

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Originally Posted by Bill S

In the long run you are probably better off to develop your off hand (non-dominant hand) shaving... <snip>

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Why is that? :confused: Honest question.

I'm a one hand shaver, and although I tried to use the other hand with a modicum of success, I still prefer to use my strong hand. If there were something that couldn't be done except by doing ambidextrous shaving, I'd say that he - and anyone, me included - would be better off by spending the time to develop the coordination and skill.

But...

When one goes to a professional barber, (s)he does not switch hands to shave the "other" side of your face; rather (s)he uses a different technique to get the job accomplished. It follows that the same applies to the self shaver, doesn't it?

Somehow I find it counter-intuitive that one should put just about the sharpest thing in the house against the face with a spastic non-dominant hand.

The way I hold the razor is not like a kamisori, but rather flip it around and the blade instead of pointing towards my thumb points towards my (folded) pinky, and my middle and index finger will swap places on the tang and tail. Nothing wrong with your idea, and if it works for you... :) I'd give it a whirl and see what happens.

The key is what works for you. I personally shave with both hands with a traditional hold. Is my way right or wrong? Who cares...it works for me. Experiment and see what works for you. As long as the end result is a good shave, it doesn't matter.

I have always shaved with my right (dominate) hand and have had no issues, it really is what feels best for you. I hold my razor as you describe when I shave upward (chest to head on both my neck and cheeks), my chin and lips It works better if I hold the traditional way in this direction. If you are getting good results that you are happy with it does not matter if you are doing it the "normal" way. My cheeks I shave XTG, XTG, ATG because that gets me where I want to be, it does not matter if it is the normal three pass shave. Enjoy yourself thats why we do this.

I used to hold the same way as the OP, but I found that when I went to my non-dominant side with the dominant hand I got a blind spot when shaving the sideburn area. Also, and maybe because I was a fresh beginner, I felt like I had too much pressure when using dominant hand for non-dominant side. That could just be me imagining things though. That's the only reason why I decided to try the non-dominant hand on like side. Now, I still shave my neck exclusively with the dominant hand. For the neck I use the Kamisori grib that you discuss.

For me, what everyone else has said is true. Do what works for you. I have played guitar for many many years and felt very comfortable and confident with my non-dominant hand. Shaving with a straight got much easier when I gained confidence running the sharp steel across my face. So I would certainly not recommend using a grip that you didn't have confidence with.

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Originally Posted by Snake

I'm a one hand shaver, and although I tried to use the other hand with a modicum of success, I still prefer to use my strong hand. If there were something that couldn't be done except by doing ambidextrous shaving, I'd say that he - and anyone, me included - would be better off by spending the time to develop the coordination and skill.

But...

When one goes to a professional barber, (s)he does not switch hands to shave the "other" side of your face; rather (s)he uses a different technique to get the job accomplished. It follows that the same applies to the self shaver, doesn't it?

Somehow I find it counter-intuitive that one should put just about the sharpest thing in the house against the face with a spastic non-dominant hand.

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It's not that there is anything you can't do one handed as opposed to two handed. If you don't use both hands you can most certainly shave your whole face and do a fine job. What you can't do is use the same stroke (actually, they're mirror image strokes) on both sides of your face. I like having control of the razor. If you can shave with two hands you can shave with one hand, but the opposite doesn't hold. Not a huge deal, and certainly if you have considerably less control over the off hand then you might want to skip it.

Your barber analogy doesn't really apply. A barber can just walk from one side of the customer in his chair to the other to shave the opposite side. No need to change hands.

As an aside, one of the things I like about shaving with a Kamisori is using one hand with an asymmetrical blade. Kind of spices things up.

There is no "Straight Razor Police" - do what work for you. Many of us recommend having an open mind and try new approaches, that is part of the fun.

I try to use each hand in a different way during each shave. I don't know if I get better shaves that way, but it does offer me new techniques from time to time, and it makes each shave more fun. I'm not in it for the shaves but for the enjoyment.

+1 on the previous posts. Do whatever your comfortable with. Initially, you may feel more comfortable only using your dominant hand. Later, with experience, you may begin to use your non-dominant hand to shave with.

When I first began straight razor shaving, holding the razor in my left hand to shave the left side of my face (I'm right handed) felt terribly awkward. Now it is second nature. I'm equally comfortable now using both my right and left hands to shave with.

I decided to try it out yesterday and it turned out it didn't work at all.
First it just felt wrong holding it in the way I describe and when I tried using my dominant hand on my non dominant side it just felt awkward and I couldn't see what I was doing.
I think I will just stick with the "standard" procedure and get more proficient with my left hand.

Typically middle finger on the tang with the scale between it and my index finger resting on my thumb. I'm guessing that's pretty standard. I also use both hands but on the 50/50 areas I use my right. Occasionally I'll straighten the scale like a Japanese razor and hold it in my palm.

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

At the end of the day, you're looking for a great shave, so do what you need to achieve this!

Personally, I was told the "right" way is to develop the techniques with both hands from the start, which worked well for me. It becomes very systematic in the way you shave; first do one side, and then mirror image the other side. I think the stubble, if you cant get a complete BBS shave just yet, will be more symmetrical if you do it with both hands alternating on each side.

But again, what works works. So have fun and good luck!

PS: Also, you said you cant see your face properly in the mirror. Try angling your face down or up or create an angle where it is more visible. Down works good for me, especially near the side burn area if you like to thin them out. And I hold the razor in 3 configurations, that alleviates the "awkwardness" sometimes from some hard to get angles. Hope it helps

If you are thinking of trying to develop your weak-side shaving I suggest doing it gradually. Start with your cheek and don't move on until you feel comfortable holding the razor in the "wrong" hand.

I found using both hands to be pretty easy, but if you don't I wouldn't worry about it. If it just doesn't feel right to you don't push it, you can always try again at a later date.

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Originally Posted by Obie

Gentlemen:



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.

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Obie, I was intrigued by your comment about only using one finger on the shank, and tried it during last night's shave. I found it to help me have a little bit lighter grip on the blade, helped me to relax, and I was able to tackle some of the more difficult angles with ease. Thanks for that tip!

Peace,
Conor

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Originally Posted by con16721

Obie, I was intrigued by your comment about only using one finger on the shank, and tried it during last night's shave. I found it to help me have a little bit lighter grip on the blade, helped me to relax, and I was able to tackle some of the more difficult angles with ease. Thanks for that tip!

Peace,
Conor

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Hello, Conor:

Yes, yes, I discovered that using one finger on the shank helps lighten the pressure even more. I had started by placing two fingers on the shank, but then, after some experimenting, I realized that the one-finger technique not only helped lighted the pressure, but it also helped to make the razor more maneuverable. I'm glad it works for you, too.

Regards,

Obie

I went through this when I started using a straight last summer and, like you, tried holding the razor in my left hand with the scales in line with the blade. (I'm right-handed.) It worked--sort of. However, I forced myself to use both hands in the same manner, so that any change in technique learned on one side would apply to the other. Initially it made tending to the left side of my face more difficult, but at some point I stopped thinking about it and became a truly "bilatereral" shaver.

This really isn't a big deal. I'd recommend using both hands and holding the razor in a conventional manner, but whatever works is OK. Just keep in mind that you're still in your formative stage and whatever technique you develop now will likely remain with you for the rest of your life.

I was having issues, somewhat, with my hand blocking my view on my left side, using my right (dominant) hand. Then I tried something with my dulled Zeepk pakistani practice razor. I changed the hold on the razor in my hand so that the forefinger, and other 2 next are onthe front tang, and I squash the handle against my pinkie finger. It gave me control and unobstructed view using that hold. Forefinger and other Then I shave from the front of my face backwards a bit, rather than try to go straight down the sideburn area.

i have only been shaving with a straight razor for a few months now. i was always skeptical in using my left hand since a sharp razor with an uncoordinated grip on my face could lead to a devastation ending. however, this morning i decided to go for it and use my left hand. i did three passes, WTG XTG and ATG. WTG i used right hand, right side. XTG i used left hand, right side. ATG i used left hand, right side. this shave was the best and closest i've had with a straight razor. i was surprised how well i used my left hand, and it will just get better with practice.
to anyone who's nervous about using your left hand, try it once and see if you like it; you'll only improve after the first shave.

My first str8 shave, I used my dominant hand for both sides. It was an acrobatic feat to accomplish my one pass shave. The second shave I made myself use my left hand for the left side. It felt awkward at first, but I kept doing it form each shave after that. Now, I can't imagine doing it any other way.