For the best shave, is it necessary, or required that one shaves with both hands? Is it bad technique?
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For the best shave, is it necessary, or required that one shaves with both hands? Is it bad technique?
Absolutely not. There are many that shave with one hand, just as there are many that shave with two. Whatever floats your boat, man....
My credo is to shave however is most comfortable to you and gives you the best shave. If that's one handed than so be it. There is no steadfast law against it.
Using both hands sure is nice ( no blind spots or awkward positions with arms) just do it!!! It took me some time to have a sharp object in my left hand on my throat, but with some practice you'll get it,and be glad that you did it!! Shave On brother!!!!!
Use one or two, it doesn't matter much.
Personally I find the two hand approach better for me.
Others definitely gets the job done with one hand.
Hello, aramirez2626:
Switching hands in straight razor shaving is not a requirement. I switch hands and that works quite well for me. What's important here is what works for you, whether using your dominant hand or switching hands. It's up to you. Either way, spend time to hone your skill.
Regards,
Obie
as everyone's said, either way works.
i use both hands because it is too difficult to maneuver my right hand on the left side of my face. it feels awkward at first, but after a few shaves you start to get the feeling. after a while it will just become second nature.
try both ways, see what you like. in the end, do what you prefer.
I use both hands and can not shave as well with just one hand. But that is very individual, try what is most suitable for yourself.
It can be helpful to involve your non-dominant hand in your shaves. Just start doing it like you did with your dominant hand. Do just the cheek, setting the angle and pulling down with your elbow, keeping the hand and wrist stable and steady. It feels weird at first, but your technique with it will improve.
I've tried to shave with both hands but one handed is what works best for me.
You quickly learn angles and hand positions so there are no awkward moments.
Actually now that I think of it there are some times I might have a blind spot but I know my face and the straight so well now that I could do it even if I can't see properly.
When I shave I tend to mostly go by feel than using the mirror so the blind spot issue is not an issue for me.
I do not think that's bad technique. I am both hands shaver with western razors but just one hand shaver with Kamisori and I can say that finally results are the same.Quote:
Originally Posted by aramirez626
Ive been shaving with one hand mostly for years. I do however use my left hand for the upwared stroke on the right side of my neck. I guess i started doing that a year or so ago and it makes things easier for me. I get great shaves this way. I am not however a mythotical shaver where i spend a half hour shaving. I shower and shave before work at 7 am so i dont really have time for the hot towel stuff except on the weekends sometimes when i feel like spoiling myself. otherwise its a five minute deal. This weekend when i have time i think im going to try switching hands when i have time to spend doing so because shaving is not a good excuse to be late for work. lol
I've developed a highly convoluted and symmetrical 2 hand approach involving multiple grips and contortions. i swear there's a spot on my neck where the hair growth looks like someone set a bomb off in a forest.. i think there's a benefit in using 2 hands in terms of getting your non dominant (submissive?) hand a bit more agile, but that takes second place to doing what works for you.
Anyone manage to slice their thumb while changing hands? i'm suprised all parts of my body are still attached sometimes..
I only use my right hand and always shave with the grain, never against it, though I do sometimes go across. Like others say, it's what works for you.
From what I have learned so far its not necessary to learn to shave with both hands. I can tell you though, that I am glad I did learn to use both hands and wasn't as hard as I thought it would be either.
if there is ONE thing i've learned from this forum, its to never shave naked!Quote:
Originally Posted by tekbow
Now you have to spill.. you can't build it up like that and not tellQuote:
Originally Posted by hcintineo
haha i'm not speaking from experience, thankfully. i'm just saying occasionally my shavette has been bobbled in my hands from slippery lather. no incidents as of yet.Quote:
Originally Posted by tekbow
It's common man-sense!Quote:
Originally Posted by tekbow
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.
It is required that one shaves with both hands. Many are not aware of this fact,Quote:
Originally Posted by aramirez626
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
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by ace
I failed twice so now I have to shave with my feet. But on the bright side I am now foot ambidextrous!Quote:
Originally Posted by thebigspendur
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.
That's an interesting question. I am left handed and I asked Lynn if straight razors are made for either hand. You know how golf clubs, guitars, firearms are set up for right handed folks. Lynn said a straight razor can be used by either hand. Also he told me that some SE users switch hands. As a matter of fact, I switched my SE to my right hand this morning, no nicks or weepers, but I did have some misses/skips. I'm still quite new to the SE shaving, I just switched from Mach 3's and canned gels to SE, brush, and shaving soap last week; so I am trying very carefully to figure out which technique works for me. Good luck in finding your best technique!
I am left handed too and am comfortable using my left hand. The only advantage I see with using both hands is the blocking of one's view of the missor. When I use my left hand for both sides I have to shift the way I hold the razor when I shave my right side so that I can see in the mirror.Quote:
Originally Posted by pmburk
Being new to shaving with a straight razor, I am still learning and in discovery mode. I am left-handed and I have done a little bit of shaving on my right side using the right hand. It's going to take me some time to figure out what really works. The key thing for me is to carefully experiment with techniques to see what works for me.
Learning to shave with the 'off' hand is made easier if instead of using the hand to shave you just hold the razor with the 'off' hand and initiate the shaving movements with the arm, pulling down with the elbow. Start slowly on the cheek and expand your efforts only as your skills and comfort with it increase.
Ace,
That sounds like a good tip there. I'll give it a go during tomorrow morning's shave and get back with you and everyone on the results.
Thanks!
If you don't shave with both hands you cant have any pudding! How can you have any pudding if you dont shave with both hands?
Here is the thought I had when deciding whether to use one or two hand method. What would I do if my dominant hand was injured and I couldn't use it for awhile? I decided to get my left (non-dominant) hand "educated". It definitely felt awkward at first, but I just took it slow and easy and kept at it. It really doesn't take too long and the extra dexterity I have gained with my left hand has served me well. Just my thought, take it for what it cost you!