Thread: Left Hand

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.

Everyone has to find his own way in this thing. You need to do what makes sense for you. Personally I use both hands for shaving but being left handed makes me and most southpaw's a little more ambidexterous. Right now I'm learning to use my Japanese razor which is a one sided razor so you have to use only your right hand and there are some maneuvers that I am finding almost impossible to do without cutting my throat.

It just takes practice and time. I think using both hands makes it easier in the long run buts it not necessary. Yoiu should decide early on whether you want to use both hands or one because to switch later means you will have to relearn everything. As for my japanese razor time will tell.

I had my technique well developed with right hand only before starting to learn the ambidextrous style. Sometimes I am still having angle issues when going southpaw but it seems to be getting better.

I agree with the others. First and foremost, it's about not slicing your face to smithereens! If using your left hand increases the chance of this, use your right.

Having said that, if you can develop the left hand it's pretty useful (dare I say "handy"...sorry .) I don't know about anyone else, but I find some manoeuvres impossible without the left hand - for instance, going against the grain on the right side of my neck would be pretty tricky and cumbersome if I didn't use my left hand (although a change in grip can ameliorate this to some degree).

James.

It's ok if you almost fully extend the blade, but going two handed makes you look more competent and it's an interesting learning experience for me. Just make sure you focus on your technique more so you don't mess up the angle and start skipping.

Good advice so far. I'd also add that it helps to approach this the same way many of us learned to shave: Start with safer areas, then add a little bit every day.

Right now, I'm still getting all the different grips down that'll let me cover all areas of my face. First, I learned all the grips for a with the grain pass. Next I learned against the grain, which is easier on my face than cross grain. Now I'm working on cross grain.

If I'd tried to do all three at once my face would have been too raw from the cross grain to do the against the grain.

So the moral is take it slow. Start with the downward strokes on your cheeks. Easy stuff. Then downward on your neck. Expand your shaving as your confidence develops.

Good luck,
Josh

It's very hard at first but it definately gets easier.

When I started learning I decided to try using both hands from day 1 onwards, it's surprising how fast you pick it up actually. I found I tended to cut myself less with my left hand in the early days, I think because I was using less pressure and was always being more careful with that hand.

Remember the shaving action is from the arm and wrist, not from the fingers. The fingers just hold the razor and don't really manipulate it as such. So it's nowhere near as hard as say learning to write left handed.

Just give it time and be gentle, you will start to get the hang of it.

When I started learning I decided to try using both hands from day 1 onwards, it's surprising how fast you pick it up actually. I found I tended to cut myself less with my left hand in the early days, I think because I was using less pressure and was always being more careful with that hand.

Ditto on the above!

I am very glad I did because it is easy enough now it doesn't require any thought.

I still prefer to use my right hand. Most days, that is all I use. On days when I have ample time, I use my left hand, but the time for shaving greatly increases when I do this. There is no "right" or "wrong" way. The main thing is that you do what you are comfortable with. And if you decide to experiment, do it on days when you have the time to focus on what you are doing.

RT

Use your left hand shortly after you start using a straight. It's easier to educate your left then as the right is not that far ahead in skill. It makes some areas of the face a lot easier to shave. It does take more time but speed is not the object in most cases.

Monte