Are You A Switch Hitter?

[DE Shaver]

Hi All,

When I use a straight razor, I find that I use the same hand to hold the razor when shaving both sides of my face. However, I know of a number of individuals that can switch hands and shave with equal ease. So, who among you are "switch hitters" or am I the only uncoordinated guy in this site?

[holli4pirating]

I think it's more a matter of practice than coordination.

[Capaldo]

I think it's more a matter of practice than coordination.

Agreed. It's a lot easier than it seems at first. It's more about confidence and practice than anything else.

[perogee]

So far at least, I am a single handed shaver as well, just do not trust myself enough yet for the off hand.

[dpmtherrien]

I started just using one hand, my right, but as time has progressed I'm now starting to use my left hand as well.

I think its just improving your technique and gaining confidence using the straight. :thumbup1:

[brianw]

Learned to use a str8 when I was 14. Only used my right back then and it is still the way I shave today

[stoutreader]

I use both hands, based on advice on the forums. It was certainly weird at first but seems much more natural now. I am actually better with with my non-dominate hand than with my dominate hand.

[kwigibocity]

Somewhere along the line I became ambidextrous with the straight, and today I'd never think of not doing it. Sure keeps your vision less unobstructed.

[Mr. Scruffy]

I go both ways.

[FiveOhNine]

use both hands - still use just one when I use the DE though.

My left hand is next to useless, but it is definitely a matter of training yourself to use it.

Though nature has a big say, nurture can make up a LOT of ground.

[richmondesi]

ambidextrous shaver here :001_smile

[SliceOfLife]

I occasionally use my offhand. Trouble is the only spot it's beneficial to use my offhand happens to be the spot it's also suicidal to use my offhand. That's the right side of my neck passing directly in towards my throat... IE right over a mess of supply line veins to my brain. Some day I'll bother to actually do lefty passes on my cheeks and jaw and try to build up some skill with it, but not today. Probably not tomorrow, either.

[riooso]

It was hard to learn at first but I am glad that I did it.


Richard

[JPM]

I do switch hands , but there are a couple of the difficult parts of the left side of my face that I still use my dominant (right) hand to shave. Probably about 60/40 overall.

[davecmu]

Ambi-Shaver, based on advice I received here when I started. Works like a charm.

[Luc]

Both hands. It's more an habit than anything else. You need to force yourself and it will become natural. At first, it's strange!

[Kees]

I never felt the need to be ambidextrous shaver.

[Leche]

Both.

[Antique Hoosier]

Both hands. Comes natural with practice, but there are many one handed straight shavers. I'd recommend learning to use both but an even greater habit to develop in my mind is NOT allowing yourself to complete the straight shave experience with a DE. Some may agree and some may disagree.

[holiday]

Both hands here. I found it quite easy after a couple times. Generally get my mustache area and chin with my dominant hand. I found it impossible shave under my jaw line with the same hand.

[Blondie]

Ambi Shaver here.

[dannywonderful]

Two handed since week three.

[Magruder]

Both hands. I started out that way, based on the advice I got here... and also on the logistics. When I first used a straight razor there were parts of my face that were awkward with one hand, and impossible with the other.

When I was seriously considering buying a straight I started brushing my teeth ambidextrously, also based on advice here. Boy was that weird!

[Shaman]

Ambi-shaver too. Tried dominant hand shaving a couple of times just to see the differance and there are some spots I just can't do with one hand. You'd be surprised just how fast you can develop the skills for two hand shaving.

[cim_can]

I've only been straight-shaving a week, but started out using both hands. I still find using my left-hand to be almost an out-of-body experience, but each day it's getting easier and easier.

[Bruce]

I am... er... a... ahh... hmmm... switch hitter. Being not quite sure of what I may have admitted to, let me clarify my coming out by saying that I use my right hand (dominant) to shave the right side of my face and my left hand to shave the left side, with the rightly gripped razor to clean up spots of lather here and there. I've always done it that way as it just worked out comfortably for me. :wink2:

[closer]

I started out using my dominant hand only, but started using my non-dominant hand after the first few shaves. I found I had more control with the non-dominant hand than I expected, so persisted with it. There are limitations, though - I can only go ATG with my dominant hand. Does anybody here go ATG with the non-dominant hand?

[TheRedlines]

I'm still in my begining stages of learning the straight. I use both with my non-dominant hand doing most the work. I do find many times I wish I had a third and maybe even a fourth hand.

Hmm.....this has got me thinking. I had a great time getting a straight shave at the barbershop. I wonder if I just sit on my hand long enough for it to go to sleep........ :ihih:

[bluefoxicy]

No, but I will be some day.

[lax1mxr]

both hands with a straight. Lefty only with a DE.

[joshmpdx]

I use both hands. while i was hesitant to start shaving with my left hand, im now afraid to shave with only my right hand!

[DE Shaver]

Ambi-shaver too. Tried dominant hand shaving a couple of times just to see the differance and there are some spots I just can't do with one hand. You'd be surprised just how fast you can develop the skills for two hand shaving.
Yes, based on people's opinion that you can use two hands, I have attempted to use two hands as well. Although I seem to be successful, it doesn't seem right and I end up reverting to my dominant hand. I guess it's a matter of time and practice.

[domino]

Two handed since day one.

[akw]

For me it depends on how big it is...the razor that is.

Can't switch on a 7/8" it's just not comfortable for me. I can on my smaller razors.

[Scissors]

There are days I can shave ambidextrously with ease, and then there are days my non-dominant (right) hand is useless, and I shave only with my left. It took a bit of practice to get my right hand up to speed, but I don't think I'll ever use both hands every shave. No clue why my right hand often becomes the useless lump it does, but it does. :sad:

[Geo Dude]

I am... er... a... ahh... hmmm... switch hitter. Being not quite sure of what I may have admitted to, let me clarify my coming out by saying that I use my right hand (dominant) to shave the right side of my face and my left hand to shave the left side, with the rightly gripped razor to clean up spots of lather here and there. I've always done it that way as it just worked out comfortably for me. :wink2:


I'm pretty much the same, except that I'm left-handed and thus the roles are reversed.