Thread: Shaving with both hands - is it required?

Haha I got a good laugh at that shaving naked comment. I personally use one hand, although I've never tried two. I find my vision is obstructed enough by my glasses, I can't imagine what it would be like with another arm shoved in there too

using the left is called "the stranger"

No, not required but it might be a useful evolution in your future. I found, in the long run, that it was easier to train my left hand than to continue contorting to get the backhand route for the ATG pass I need under my jawline, just a bit back from my chin. To get to the right side it's just way easier to use the left hand. I didn't add this refinement until I'd been exclusively straight-shaving for about a year, though. As others have said, no need to rush. If you wanted to rush, you'd still be a Bic man.

Originally Posted by aramirez626

For the best shave, is it necessary, or required that one shaves with both hands? Is it bad technique?

It is required that one shaves with both hands. Many are not aware of this fact,
and some will deny it, but the Shaving Gods know. They are watching our every
move. They know when we use Astro Glide as a pre-shave oil. They've watched
us nick strops, fail to get our razors dried off properly, and whip up crappy
lather time after time. They watched as we tore up our ear lobes with a square
point, dinged our blade's edge on the faucet, or just flat dropped the razor on the
floor and busted it.

The Shaving Gods know what you've done, and if you don't use both hands
to shave they will exact their revenge. If you don't use both hands to shave, your
bilateral manual dexterity will decrease day after day until that dreaded
day when you can't tie your own shoes. Beware!

I use my right hand only. My results are always good and it isn't uncomfortable or contorted feeling.

Jim

Originally Posted by ace

It is required that one shaves with both hands. Many are not aware of this fact,
and some will deny it, but the Shaving Gods know. They are watching our every
move. They know when we use Astro Glide as a pre-shave oil. They've watched
us nick strops, fail to get our razors dried off properly, and whip up crappy
lather time after time. They watched as we tore up our ear lobes with a square
point, dinged our blade's edge on the faucet, or just flat dropped the razor on the
floor and busted it.

The Shaving Gods know what you've done, and if you don't use both hands
to shave they will exact their revenge. If you don't use both hands to shave, your
bilateral manual dexterity will decrease day after day until that dreaded
day when you can't tie your own shoes. Beware!

Yes indeed. You know when you take your drivers test they make you do all these silly things that you will never do in real life and no different with shaving. When you are ready to take you master shavers test before we send the examiners over to your house for the practical test you must show competency in many areas. Also, since this place is ruled by shavia law if you do not use both hands they will cut the other one off. Just ask lefty about that.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Yes indeed. You know when you take your drivers test they make you do all these silly things that you will never do in real life and no different with shaving. When you are ready to take you master shavers test before we send the examiners over to your house for the practical test you must show competency in many areas. Also, since this place is ruled by shavia law if you do not use both hands they will cut the other one off. Just ask lefty about that.

I failed twice so now I have to shave with my feet. But on the bright side I am now foot ambidextrous!

For me, shaving with both hands was a non-issue. Due to the direction of my beard growth shaving with the non-dominant (left) hand was more important than with the dominant hand, for a close shave. Now, with over a year of experience, I shave the more difficult parts of my face almost exclusively with the non-dominant hand, because it's safer that way. I have an easier time shaving the right side of my neck, cleaning up under the chin (I don't have loose skin and can't stretch it to satisfaction) with the left hand. Now it feels more unfamiliar to shave under the chin with my right hand on the left jawbone! When the heck did that happen? The Razor Gods probably laugh with respect over my plight. Ever since I've been shaving this way I've felt the urge to turn bi... dextrous!

We can grow new neurons. It's like physical exercise.. we can adapt to the new skill. Neural development is a nice bonus to shaving with an open razor. Why not devote a few neurons to your straight razor shave? The Razor Gods demand it!

A year ago I dislocated a finger on my dominant hand and all of a sudden I had to use my non-dominant hand for a lot of things. So I think the main advantage to shaving with both hands is that you're not totally dependent on the dominant hand, should that, for whatever reason, be unavailable to you. I'm still not totally comfortable or skilled shaving with my non-dominant hand, but I'm deliberately practicing with it to become more "resiliant" in case of need.

Doc Lars

When started shaving with a straight about 5yrs ago, I was getting really discouraged with my right hand because I just couldn't hold it like I could with my left. I finally decided that I needed a little help and I've been shaving with "two hands" since.

Now I'm actually good with both left and right hands but I still like the control I get with using two hands especially on my upper lip and my jawline.