One Handed Shaving Technique

**xman** · 10-17-2008, 11:46 PM

Here, gentlemen and ladies, are a couple of quick videos I made of my one handed shaving technique. I do not recommend using only one hand to shave. I think for most people, angles will be easier to achieve with two hands. Personally, I shaved with two hands for many months before getting exasperated with the never ending stream of micro nicks along my left jaw line. I realised that there's not much to worry about there and gave up on two handed shaving at that point so this is how I've been doing it for over two years now. The slight advantage I have over other one handed shavers that I have seen is that I employ some pretty distinct grips which are easier and safer. Another shaving vid is nothing new, but perhaps some of the grips and angles I use will help somebody out who is trying to navigate similarly.

The vid is in two parts because the first blade I was using, my W&B wasn't quite up to the task so I shut off the camera, stropped up my Wolstenholm wedge and switched off for the ATG pass. Notice the difference in shaving acoustics between the two blades.

The final ATG pass on my upper lip using what I call "The Fool's Pass" should not be recommended and used only by those confident/foolish enough to venture there. The last, water only, pass under my right jaw line is the closest angle I can achieve to ATG in that area. Both techniques, along with the inward turned scales at the 1min. 20sec. mark of the first video were invented out of necessity to reach the sublime BBS result.

YouTube - One Handed Straight Razor Shave, pt. 1.

**sidneykidney** · 10-18-2008, 12:10 AM

What excellent videos xman! Really enjoyed them. I made a few observations too.

1. DUDE! ATG on the first pass???

My skin would SCREAM if I tried that! I have sensitive skin problems so I have to go WTG then XTG. Sometimes if i'm careful ATG on the neck but very carefully.

2. You can really tell the difference in the razors. The W+B sounds like it was tugging the hairs. Man that musta hurt...

3. You say 'One handed shaving technique'. I thought 'Hmmm... something new? This could be interesting'. And it was, dont get me wrong. But this is the way I shave (albeit I go WTG from the start). Is there something else I could be doing? Or am I not understanding your point?

4. Under the chin with the second razor demands respect. Even now I have been unable to make that angle.

Thanks again- wonderful work

**gssixgun** · 10-18-2008, 12:12 AM

Also a great demo of some perfect scything techniques there too "X"
Great job, although I found myself making stupid shaving faces while I was watching it.....

**xman** · 10-18-2008, 12:33 AM

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Also a great demo of some perfect scything techniques there too "X"
Great job, although I found myself making stupid shaving faces while I was watching it.....

Yeah, I especially find that the eyebrow raise really helps during the coupe de maitre.

Originally Posted by sidneykidney

1. DUDE! ATG on the first pass???

I can pull it off on the cheeks, sideburns and lower neck because my growth is so sparse in those areas. If I tried that on my chin it wouldn't turn out nearly as well.

Originally Posted by sidneykidney

2. You can really tell the difference in the razors. The W+B sounds like it was tugging the hairs. Man that musta hurt...

The sound is more a product of the difference in the grind. The W&B was actually only pulling slightly, no pain at all.

Originally Posted by sidneykidney

3. You say 'One handed shaving technique'. I thought 'Hmmm... something new? This could be interesting'. And it was, dont get me wrong. But this is the way I shave (albeit I go WTG from the start). Is there something else I could be doing? Or am I not understanding your point?

I just mean that I don't switch hands like you're 'supposed to'. Like I say, I tried that and it didn't work for me. I still recommend that new shavers use the razor in both hands from the start.

Originally Posted by sidneykidney

4. Under the chin with the second razor demands respect. Even now I have been unable to make that angle.

*blush* What I'm doing these days is setting the angle for where the whiskers are, but starting before that so it looks like I'm using a 60º angle, but once I hit the hairs I'm down to 30º.

X

**netsurfr** · 10-18-2008, 12:38 AM

Outstanding videos!
Must admit after two years of shaving with a str8, I cannot shave like that. I seldom use an ATG pass due to the discomfort.

**bpave777** · 10-18-2008, 12:51 AM

Here Here! Fantastic videos Xman. I'm very impressed by your technique.

I have to admit I was holding my breath for you with those "Fools Pass[es]".

What great stuff. Thank you for posting those.

**wescap34** · 10-18-2008, 01:35 AM

Very well done X- Thanks!

**bj64** · 10-19-2008, 01:53 PM

Only 25 minutes quiker than I can do it!!! great vid most appreciated.

Brian

**sachin** · 10-19-2008, 02:58 PM

Thanks for the awesome video X. I wish I could shave like that. An ATG pass for me is a No-No as it screws up my face. So respect to those who can do it. And with the "Fool's Passes" for the upper lip, I can see myself slicing off my nose.

I need to try your kind of grip on the razor. I think it will give me better control over the razor. Thanks once again.

Sachin

**riooso** · 10-19-2008, 03:35 PM

That is a great vid! I have always wondered how to do it with one hand. I will remark though that you look way to good for shaving. I usually look like crap before the shave. Good going.

Take care,
R

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