Thread: Is ambidextrous straight shaving worth it?

Reading this, it would appear most of us use both hands. However, I remember a poll done here maybe a year ago, and it turned out clear majority of respondents (maybe 80%, IIRC) reported using only their dominant hand. I use one hand and have never noticed a difference in closeness/irritation/etc., comparing one side to the other. It appears most of us have found the same.

I am right handed and use my left hand on the left side of my face straight shaving. If I am shaving with a DE I only use my right hand.

I am a lefty newby and shave with both hands, otherwise I can't see what I'm doing when shaving on the right side of my face. If I cut myself, invariably, it is with my dominant hand. The first few times, I looked liked I had tried to give a ferrel cat a bath:-)

My first pass is WTG right hand, right side; left hand, left side.

My second pass is XTG right hand, left side; left hand, right side.

My final pass is ATG right hand, left side; left hand, right side.

I don't understand how you guys that shave with only one hand can do it. While it is true that you can somehow get the blade into all areas of the face with only one hand, I find that I have less control shaving the opposite side of my face as the arm I am using to the degree that it was always more dangerous shaving with one hand then two - even while learning to be ambi. Not to mention that with one hand, I no longer have control over what direction I attack the grain of my beard from. One hand severely limits the direction the blade must come from.

It is really not as hard as you think it is to learn to shave with the weak hand. The first time is always terrifying to try to use an arm that feels like it belongs to someone else as was pointed out earlier, but that fear fades quickly and is replaced by a newfound confidence and sense of accomplishment. I highly recommend taking the time to learn to shave with both hands - just train yourself to go VERY SLOWLY when you are starting out and concentrate on the blade ONLY moving at right angles to the spine, NEVER IN PARALLEL and with a light touch and you should never cut yourself. Well worth the effort and you would be surprised how quickly you pick it up with a little patience and perseverance.

I haven't really had any issues in reaching all parts of my face with just my left hand. The only minor issue I can think of is I can exactly see my right sideburn with my left hand in the way, on the first pass wtg. Then when I take my second pass xtg I clean up that sideburn.
It might also help that I hold my razor right a Japanese straight.

I switch hands when I shave
WTG: right hand, right side, left hand left side
ATG: right hand left side, left hand right side.

Once you get some experience, it is just so much easier.
Additionally, learning to use both hands for the same task is apparently good for your brain, because it has to grow new pathways for supporting existing tasks.

I was taught to use right hand only, by a barber, go figure, because that's how he shaved OTHER people's faces. Once I became more confident, I found that switching hands, and changing the grip, came quite naturally and was more efficient.

The only blade with which using one hand only still makes sense to me is the Kamisori...

I started off with a really weird grip, it looked ridiculous now that I think of it, there's a photo of it somewhere here...
I then learnt to use a 'proper' grip and use two hands. HOWEVER, the other week I thought about this. When I use my left hand to shave along the jawline of the left side of my face, trying to go ATG; which is essentially along the jaw from the ear to the chin, my hand obscures the chin. That's not a MAJOR problem, but it does mean it's difficult to see where to stop before I run into my goatee. I experimented with using my right hand and it seemed quite acceptable and logical in a way. I'd recommend teaching yourself to sue both hands, but then, after a few months (I've been SR shaving for about 8 months) experimenting with other methods. I think after a few months using both hands will be 'ingrained' and natural. Then you'll be able to do whatever you want when you want. Some days both hands will be what's required, maybe other days one hand will be what's needed, depending on the direction of your hair growth and how close etc you want to go.

I hope that's helpful and makes sense...

Am I the only one who switched to the ambi-shave because he was sick of smearing lather from his neck onto his shoulder during the cross-over?!


Mick