Thread: Left Hand

Safety is a big part of why I think switching hands is a good idea. I transfer the razor between hands in front of my body, down away from my face. If I was trying to shave the opposite side of my face with my right hand all the time, I think I'd frequently be crossing my left hand and arm over the blade, increasing the potential for a cut. Especially when I'm bleary eyed in the morning...

Josh

I have only been straight razor shaving for about 7 months. I started using both hands immediately. It was awkward at first, but I got used to it fairly quick. One other benifit that I have found with using both hands, that I have not seen mentioned yet in this thread. Since I am right handed, I was very mindful when using my left as not to cut myself. The result was I used a much lighter touch when using my left hand. I actually shave the left side of my face closer than my right (dominant) side. I still can not get the right side of my face as well as my left to this day. Weird huh? I also agree that using both hands gives you a lot more different angles to get those difficult spots. Keep at it, take your time, and enjoy the shave.

Originally Posted by willist

I watched Lynn's DVD and I know he says to switch to your left hand to shave the left side of your face. I find that extremely difficult, its like I can't even find my face as I look in the mirror. Do you think that will improve or can I shave my whole face with my right hand. I did my second shave today [my entire face not like my first shave] but I switched back and forth to shave my left side. I know thats not a good idea but I really wanted to finish the job. I got though it with only 1 very small nick. The shave wasn't all that close but it went better than my 1st attempt.

Check out this guys idea in the newbies corner under the thred (Finally a good shave..... and an idea for Zeepk).

Eddie

I find that I can get a clean shave with a single hand. But it is easier once I learned how to use both hands. It is like learning how to curve the ball in golf--intentionally. At first it feels strange. But with enough practice, it becomes a swing that you can use whenever you need it.

At first I tried switching hands and found I could shave the left side of my face just as well using a single hand rather than switching to my left hand. After reading this yesterday I tried switching to my left had again and found it doesn’t help I still have a blind spot when starting the stroke regardless of which hand I use.

I am now also using my left hand.
A great way to improve left hand coordination is to brush your teeth with your left hand as well (twice per day).

After 1 - 2 weeks you will notice a significant improvement of motion control in your left hand when you shave.

Originally Posted by Bruno

I am now also using my left hand.
A great way to improve left hand coordination is to brush your teeth with your left hand as well (twice per day).

After 1 - 2 weeks you will notice a significant improvement of motion control in your left hand when you shave.

Thats one of the best ideas I have heard for getting used to using the left hand

I've only been using a straight razor for about two weeks but I do have problems with the left hand on left side of face -- not the cheek but the neck and jaw line. Those angles can be a little tricky- especially with the mirror weirdness.

Originally Posted by jaegerhund

I've only been using a straight razor for about two weeks but I do have problems with the left hand on left side of face -- not the cheek but the neck and jaw line. Those angles can be a little tricky- especially with the mirror weirdness.

Yu, that was always my challenge. It seemed like there wasn't a shave went by that I didn' leave a new red zebra stripe at the left side of my jaw line. After months of that I wondered why I was troubling myself so much when there were only a dozen or so whiskers there. That's when I gave up on the left hand. For most guys it just seems a better option to struggle through developing the dexterity and learning the technique necessary to cover that part of the face with their off hand. I congratulate all you guys who can accomplish it.

X

Again I'm fairly new to this stuff, but I try to get as much of my neck with my right hand --the center and a little to the left is about the limit ---the rest with left hand. I think sometimes we get wrapped up in proper technique and the etiquette of the thing and forget uniqueness and that doing what works ---well works. Also try to get a few years of playing the guitar under your belt (I've been playing nearly twenty years) --it does wonders for left hand dexterity.