Newb Question - Ambidextrous Straight Shaving?

[NoBLe]

Hi guys, I've been wet shaving for a year or so now and was hoping to one day make the leap to straight shaving. I figure I would get my face ready for straight shaving by using an adjustable DE and slowly increase the settings...

And then I watched a youtube video on straight shaving and noticed the guy uses his left hand for the left side of his face, and his right hand for his right side of his face. I'm assuming it's to keep the skin taut and not creating a blind spot for yourself? But this video is making me realize that MAYBE I should be practicing using my DE razor with both hands before I start changing the settings on my adjustable?

Does anyone else straight shave with both hands? Or should I just shave with my dominant hand?

Sorry I know it's a weird question and I know it's preferential, but I was just wondering what most of you guys did.

[dknox]

Never been a DE shaver, but I would guess you don't gain much from DE technique. I use both hands, easier to get some areas once you get used to it. But lots of people use single hand too I believe.

[Captain Pre-Capsize]

Nearly all switch hands although not everyone. I went to straights six months ago and will never go back. You are in for a treat - allow yourself a month and you are good to go. The muscle memory kicks in and it is easy. Really it is. But, shhhhhhhh!! Don’t tell everyone else - when you tell them you will love the look on their faces. Every time it is priceless. Watch the you tubes, Geofatboy worked well for me. Shave. Go back and watch the same youtube again. You will pick up small tips every time. Pull the skin up over the jaw as you go with the grain. Lift your chin ever so slightly to tighten. It is a blast!

[hig789]

I use both hands. If you are going to start straight shaving, start using both hands from the beginning. It will be easier in the long run since you won't have to go back and learn something new once you get used to shaving with a straight.

[Legion]

It's not a weird question. Most of use use two hands, and although it is tough to learn in the beginning, being able to freely switch hands during the shave really helps to attack the hairs from all angles. It is really worth practising, as it will make the shave easier in the long run.

[thatsilverguy]

I use both hands. If you are going to start straight shaving, start using both hands from the beginning. It will be easier in the long run since you won't have to go back and learn something new once you get used to shaving with a straight.

+1

When I learned my facial hair's growth pattern it became easier for me to go ATG shaving with my "off" hand. If you are already comfortable shaving off-handed it will make further refinements easier.

BTW, I am bouncing between straight shaving and DE shaving (sometimes I feel too tired or too time-constrained to straight-shave correctly). I'm not sure why but I have more difficulty shaving off-handed with the DE than the straight. My guess is because I cart-shaved "dominant-handed only" for several years.

[Doc226]

I use 2 hands, and actually do better with my non dominant hand. That being said you can certainly use only 1 hand and do a fine job.

Here is a video by one of the members here only using 1 hand. DO NOT TRY THIS at home-he is good. Plus he is also using the wrong hand.
[/QUOTE]

[grump]

I use both as it helps me with growth pattern. I am sure it is not necessary but I used both from the beginning. Just a bit easier for me.

[kelton]

I use both, but I am left-handed, so I have had to learn to do a lot with my right hand over the years (scissors, jar lids, nut & bolt etc. etc.)

[peterrdean]

I use a straight and sometimes a DE, and use both hands, though I do use my right hand most.

Peter.

[eastrun]

Yesterday was my 72nd straight razor shave. On shave one it became very apparent that 2 hands was the way to go. Practice makes better. When you think you are finished....STOP! Have fun, take your time and you will be rewarded.

[hig789]

Plus he is also using the wrong hand.

From all the lefties out here, maybe you are using the wrong hand Doc.

[kwigibocity]

To me the potential upside to trying to learn to use your non-dominant hand is highest when everything feels awkward. But if you don't give it a go now, you'll be left with a higher degree of difficulty for the dominant one in some spots where the shoulder's location or visual obstructions hinder ease of use, and at that point it is only more cumbersome to learn the tasks with the less coordinated limb.

This doesn't mean you can't master it w/ one hand-I'm sure if I lost my beloved right arm I could eventually shave with a straight razor using only my left for my remaining days.

But I'll tell you one thing; I sure wish I'd taken up ambidextrous stropping and honing from the start!

[EvilZeg]

To me the potential upside to trying to learn to use your non-dominant hand is highest when everything feels awkward. But if you don't give it a go now, you'll be left with a higher degree of difficulty for the dominant one in some spots where the shoulder's location or visual obstructions hinder ease of use, and at that point it is only more cumbersome to learn the tasks with the less coordinated limb.

This doesn't mean you can't master it w/ one hand-I'm sure if I lost my beloved right arm I could eventually shave with a straight razor using only my left for my remaining days.

But I'll tell you one thing; I sure wish I'd taken up ambidextrous stropping and honing from the start!

+1

Even though it felt very awkward I toughed it out and used both hands from the beginning. I have been using a straight for about 4 months and it definitely pays off to become comfortable using both hands. It allows you to try many diffents angles and approaches to comfortably shave the different areas of your face.

Jim

[NoBLe]

Thanks everyone! Looks like I'll train my right hand to get used to shaving then.

[Pkrankow]

I still can't use my off hand for shaving with a straight...been doing this for a year now. I get good shaves all the same.

Phil

[Brownbear]

It is worth learning and the time to learn is at the start.

[Doc226]

From all the lefties out here, maybe you are using the wrong hand Doc.

Right and Left--you tell me which is Right, the Right, right, so you see I'm right.

[Proinsias]

It's certainly worth giving both hands a shot, it gives you far more options with both the blade and skin stretching.

I don't think increasing the numbers on the adjustable will make the jump from straights to de much easier, if you can get a good shave with a de you're good to go. I found working on full de shaves with my non-dominant hand useful when starting out with the straights.

[jkh]

... DO NOT TRY THIS at home-he is good ...

That is terrible advice. Try everything at home! Use one hand, use two hands, try a foot ...