Quick question, how many people use three fingers; index on spine left side of scales, second finger on tang right side of scales, thumb under spine opposite index finger, scales held upright between index and second finger?
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Quick question, how many people use three fingers; index on spine left side of scales, second finger on tang right side of scales, thumb under spine opposite index finger, scales held upright between index and second finger?
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I use 4: index and middle on spine left of scales, ring on tang right of scales, thumb opposite index and middle. Tried the grip you describe early on but didn't feel secure enough for me.
I use this grip:
http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/5480/...0826155740.jpg
By blix72 at 2011-08-26
Just the index on the top of the tang is too unstable for me.
I used to use both of those grips, but recently I've changed to keeping the razor handle straight instead of folding it perpendicular to the blade. Now I hold my razor like a pencil or paint brush. From what I've read elsewhere I think it's how you hold a Japanese razor. It gives me much better control with the angle and pressure. I get much better shaves now.
I primarily use two grips,
Top Pic, primarily for N-S, Left Hand for Left side, Right Hand for Right side.
Lower Pic, for S-N, Left Hand for Right side, Right Hand for Left side.
For my atg pass I hold the razor as a Japanese razor.
I use 5. Thumb under the tang, index/middle/ring on top of the tang, and my pinkie in the monkey tail curl. That's my over hand pass. My underhand pass of XTG on the neck looks exactly like the one Blix posted above.
Here's a couple ways I hold my razors.
I normally use a bit bigger blades, and that affects the way I hold them.
With a small 5/8 I might not have room for the pinky.
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I have no idea, although I know that I do change grips for ATG. Now I'll be thinking about it self-consciously tomorrow and slit my throat. Thanks guys!
I am all over the place but am starting to use the "Blix" hold more and more over the straight hold that used to be my primary.
[QUOTE=carlmaloschneider;839072]Quick question, how many people use three fingers; index on spine left side of scales, second finger on tang right side of scales, thumb under spine opposite index finger, scales held upright between index and second finger?
This is the same way I grip a straight razor. Lots of control & still a delicate touch.
I also hold my razors like in Blix' picture. I don't go ATG but there are a few hairs on my neck that grow upward, so for those I'll hold the razor like it was a Japanese blade.
There are at least 4 "grips". Don't let your learning curve interfere with your imagination. I use at least 6 grips for every shave. Check out the barbers manuals for more info on the primary grips.
Gentlemen: On passes with the grain and across the grain, my grip consists of index finger on the upper shank and thumb on the lower, the middle finger is on the upper tang and the fourth finger balancing it on the lower. I rarely do against the grain, but if I do, the razor is open at a 90-degree angle, the handle loosely tucked in the palm and thumb and index finger gripping the shank. Since I switch hands, the pattern is the same for both hands.
Yep -- heck, we have 10 variations listed in our wiki:
Different ways to hold a straight razor - Straight Razor Place Wiki
You guys all hold it in just one hand??!!
I apparently hold it in the best way possible to cut myself...
Yeah, OK, poorly worded question. I just wanted to know how common the grip I use was GENERALLY :-)
I do like Firefighter2's comments about reasoning. It would appear that maybe it's more common to use >2 fingers on the tang on the RH side of the scales I get that there are a lot of variations, and I do use two hands; the grip is essentially reversed. Of course i use a different grip for ATG, but some for WTG and XTG, as I just scythe on the area (lower cheek/jaw line) using the same grip as for WTG. I think it's interesting to see if one's grip, technique, etc is 'unique'; I do like to be 'unique', but I think maybe people have noticed that tendency...
I think the number of fingers on the inside of the shank is a very personal matter. I suspect, one, two, and maybe even three are all pretty common.