Thread: Is ambidextrous straight shaving worth it?

If I may throw in my 2 cents, when I learned to use a straight razor I took the time to be very careful when using my left hand while my over confident right went to town. The result was that I had better, closer, more comfortable shaves on my left side and typically more cuts on the right. Food for thought.

I don't understand how you could do it otherwise. I order to be able to shave in different directions, I have to be able to use left hand for right side, right hand for right side, etc.

Originally Posted by bmilesmiles

If I may throw in my 2 cents, when I learned to use a straight razor I took the time to be very careful when using my left hand while my over confident right went to town. The result was that I had better, closer, more comfortable shaves on my left side and typically more cuts on the right. Food for thought.

I've been having the exact experience. I'm sporting a nice little battle scar from my last over-zealous attempt at a 'buffing' technique.

I use both, but my right one handles the razor in the "tougher" areas like around the Adam's apple. The left cheek is shaved by my left hand.

Originally Posted by 32t

I am not trying to pick on Grizzley but this is an example of what I feel is the problem here. Have some confidence in yourself! If you think you are going to cut yourself, you are.

I am right handed and would probably only use that hand but for a long ago injury that makes it hard to go against the grain on the right side of my neck. My wrist doesn't want to bend that way. So most of the time I switch to the left hand for that area. Until a discussion like this comes along I wouldn't even think about it.

I am not saying to be reckless and or careless about your technique, but I believe you can do it and if you believe it also, YOU CAN.

Tim

I think you misunderstood me, I have never had a problem using just my left hand, it's that now I feel inclined to try it with my right, I'm sure I can do it .....But why??

Well I shaved with both hands today for the first time.
First pass wtg
Second pass xtg
Third pass atg I switched back to my dominant left hand.
The shave was nice, about the same as using my dominant hand, but it was a lot slower. No nicks or cuts
Now that I know I can do it I am happy, but I am most likely going to keep shaving with my dominant left hand. It's just more comfortable.

Originally Posted by Grizzley1

I think you misunderstood me, I have never had a problem using just my left hand, it's that now I feel inclined to try it with my right, I'm sure I can do it .....But why??

It was this part of the original post of yours that lead to mine. "it just feels so unnatural,I'm gonna get cut but now I'll have to give it a try......"

I think that the skill set needed to shave with a straight razor is way overblown. The average Joe can learn without bleeding to death or at best be scarred for life. It is this belief that shaving is a dangerous life threatening task that makes people hesitate or not even trying to do it.

I believe that the mind is a very powerful thing. If you think you are going to cut yourself you will, guaranteed.

So I am saying have a positive attitude. Believe in yourself and your ability. If you do, you can do it.

I never meant to say that you had to use both hands. If you are comfortable with using one there is no reason to change. I am left eye dominate and right handed. Two out of three of my children are left handed. I have no bias towards which hand you use.

Tim

P.S. I am only going to use my left hand in the morning. And it is going to be BBS and I am not going to cut myself!

This is actually very interesting. Years ago when he was about 6 my youngest son, when playing football (REAL football, without padding or groping; Aussie Rules) forced himself to kick with both his left and right foot. I told him it would screw his brain up. Now he's 14 it's certainly debatable if I was correct in THAT regard, but what IS certain is that he's pretty much ambidextrous now. I think using two hands has real merit. I'm VERY much right handed. If you ever want to see something really funny, come 'round my place and ask me to throw a ball with my left had. I throw like a GIRL with my left!
Like I said before, I actually feel shaving down the cheek to my jaw has the benefit that I can see my goatee...

PS, I was a qualified small arms coach in the army (typical case of those who can't do teach; I can't shoot for shit; but I'm a great coach; just ask me) and while one should certainly hammer home the principles of good marksmanship, you do need to be mindful to not completely scrap natural holds just to force a 'by the book' method, I think.. :-)

It's quite helpful. I am left-handed and I switch to my right hand for the right side passes.

Somewhere in this forum is a video of a gentleman shaving, he would have the razor in his right hand to shave his left side, then switch the razor to his left hand to shave the right side. I affirm he's really good and with the way he shaves, he can angle the razor to cut the sideways grain flow of his beard.

Originally Posted by Crshbrn84

I really only shave with my left hand. I have heard some people talk about how it is best to shave with both hands. Left hand for left cheek and right hand for right cheek. Is it worth it to teach myself to be ambidextrous with a straight? Is the shave that much better?

This morning I did my first 100 percent left handed shave. Even my strops survived without a nick or a scratch. That was the scary part!

I am not going to try honing left handed in the near future. LOL

Tim