Thread: Mandatory to use left hand?

I've recently moved from the phase where you just use your right hand (my dominant hand) and shave the right side of your face. I'm now shaving the left side of my face and according to the video with Lynn Abrams you have to use your left hand (my non-dominant hand). The video says that it's important to use your left hand.

Well, I tried that and my left hand just sucks. I can't get my angle down and it feels so uncomfortable that I get nervous about how I might mess up (I shouldn't be nervous because it's not like I'm gonna slash my throat if I mess up but I'm still nervous). So today I used my right hand on the left side of my face and I had a great shave.

My question is: Is it mandatory for me to learn to use my left hand or can I get great shaves just using my right hand? Thanks.

I tried it too and went back to shaving with my dominant right hand. I use my left for skin stretching and I get along just fine. Now after a few years a member who used to be around here , dannywonderful, posted his way of learning to use his left hand.

While watching TV, or at the computer, take a dull razor, or one with the edge taped, and go through the motions of shaving. I used a 'shavette' with no blade. I found that within a week or so of practicing that ritual I was able to get around fine with either hand.

In my case I didn't find ambidextrous shaving an advantage worth pursuing. So if you want to try that method you may pick it up easily, but if not, we won't revoke your membership for shaving with the dominant hand. Our policy is ....... don't ask ........ don't tell ......

No!

It's your face, do it your way.
I've never used my non dominate hand. And, I don't care too.

You don't have to use your right hand, use whatever feels more natural to you. Eventually in time if you used your left you would get as good as your right. I am in your boat my left sucks and you know I never tried to learn with it. I am comfortable using only my dominant hand. This is a very YMMV thing. What works for you may not work for me etc. If you want to learn to use your left just practice.

Side note: Lynn is the man, there is no question about that. His advice never strays you the wrong way. It probably would be beneficial to use both hands for angle purposes, passes etc.. I do however doubt that Lynn said using both hands is a do or die thing. Just a helpful suggestion.


Hope this helps.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I tried it too and went back to shaving with my dominant right hand. I use my left for skin stretching and I get along just fine. Now after a few years a member who used to be around here , dannywonderful, posted his way of learning to use his left hand.

While watching TV, or at the computer, take a dull razor, or one with the edge taped, and go through the motions of shaving. I used a 'shavette' with no blade. I found that within a week or so of practicing that ritual I was able to get around fine with either hand.

In my case I didn't find ambidextrous shaving an advantage worth pursuing. So if you want to try that method you may pick it up easily, but if not, we won't revoke your membership for shaving with the dominant hand. Our policy is ....... don't ask ........ don't tell ......

Thank you so much for that post! I'll try dannywonderful's technique but it's nice to know that I don't have to use my left hand. Thanks again.

Originally Posted by Scareface

No!

It's your face, do it your way.
I've never used my non dominate hand. And, I don't care too.

Yessssss!!!! This makes me feel so good. I'll still try dannywonderful's technique (earlier post) but it's great to hear from more experienced people that shaving with the left is not mandatory.

Originally Posted by S0LITARYS0LDIER

You don't have to use your right hand, use whatever feels more natural to you. Eventually in time if you used your left you would get as good as your right. I am in your boat my left sucks and you know I never tried to learn with it. I am comfortable using only my dominant hand. This is a very YMMV thing. What works for you may not work for me etc. If you want to learn to use your left just practice.

Side note: Lynn is the man, there is no question about that. His advice never strays you the wrong way. It probably would be beneficial to use both hands for angle purposes, passes etc.. I do however doubt that Lynn said using both hands is a do or die thing. Just a helpful suggestion.


Hope this helps.

That definitely helps. Thank you. Lynn didn't say it's do or die but he strongly suggested learning with both hands. However, it's nice to hear from other users that they don't use their non-dominant hand.

I never thought that I would ever use my left hand I was so bad. I would do just a stroke or two once in a while if I felt like it. Eventually I progressed to more strokes to where I can now use my left hand with no problems whatsoever. Whatever works is the key. I mainly just wanted to see if I could do it. I could!


Mike

A good shave is getting the whiskers off without blood letting. Doesn't matter if you do it standing on your head with your right foot :<0)

I have found by using my non dominant hand when ever I can , it makes other things a little easier. It's just a matter of training yourself to do it and if it's worth the effort to you.

Originally Posted by mglindo

I never thought that I would ever use my left hand I was so bad. I would do just a stroke or two once in a while if I felt like it. Eventually I progressed to more strokes to where I can now use my left hand with no problems whatsoever. Whatever works is the key. I mainly just wanted to see if I could do it. I could!


Mike

I guess Lynn is such a boss that using his left hand is easy for him. Thanks for the reply. Nice to know I can use just my right hand and have great shaves.