Thread: Can't seem to shave one side

Ok,I'm sure y'all get tired of the same questions over and over from new guys,but I can't seem to find my question already posted in the forums, so here goes. I seem to.have no trouble shaving the neck on my left side,but absolutely nothing is shaved off when I try to shave the right side of my neck,which seems weird to me because I'm right handed. I've tried stretching the skin tighter,and I try to pay very close attention to my angle. Could it be because I'm shaving the right side with my right hand? I tried left handed today,and it was too awkward, but if that is something I need to master I can learn to use my left hand. Any tips or suggestions as to what I may be doing wrong. I'm just scraping lather off my neck on the right side. I don't know what I'm doing wrong.

I had a similar problem when starting. Left handed, but the left side of my neck would be not as good WTG. Assuming your razor is well honed and shave ready, practice makes perfect. It takes 100 or so shaves to really get all the angles right. Watch a few vids on youtube to see others doing the same pass. Hope this helps.

Quite possibly, you are changing the angle of the blade from one side to the other. I would not worry about it too much as eventually you will get the "feel" of it with more shaves under your belt. It will come. Touch up with a safety razor in the mean time.


Mike

2 things to pay attention to in the beginning as far a shaving goes. Angle and pressure. Pay attention and go slow. Especially when you start getting comfortable using your straight. That's when you get some memorable cuts. To much confidence not enough paying attention. You'll get it, it just takes time :<0)

Practice and getting the angle right is critical. Another component is the need to map you face. That is, without the razor in hand, figure out the direction of hair growth everywhere on your face and neck. Most of my whiskers grow down, so a downward stroke is a with the grain (WTG) pass, but almost the entire right side of my neck grows upwards so a downward stroke there is ATG for me. Mapping your face may help you but in this case I doubt it's the entire problem. Just be patient and practice more and watch the shaving angle--specifically watch the distance of the spine from your skin.

This might not be a valid question, but would it be possible that one side of the razor bevel is different from the other, causing one side of the blade to not shave as well?

When I started I could only do right handed WTG on my right side. I couldn't do XTG or ATG on my right side with my right hand at all. I switched to doing the right hand side with my left hand and the hair just popped right off. It is about angle and pressure and after about a year of shaving I was able to shave with either hand or both and get my whole face smooth.
Keep at it, it will come.

Maybe, this is a dovo I bought of SRD, it is supposed to be professionally honed,but everyone does make mistakes. I have a cheaper gold dollar I started with,I will get it out and see how it does.

Originally Posted by Firefighter2

This might not be a valid question, but would it be possible that one side of the razor bevel is different from the other, causing one side of the blade to not shave as well?

That's what I've been doing, I keep my old safety razor handy for that very thing. I try and watch the angle very closely,but about 2 months in,it very well could be that I'm tending to change angles, even though I tell myself I'm watching closely.

I will have to try and get used to some left handed shaving,and see. That seems weird to me,but that is what I was thinking,I'm not sure why I can't do the right side right handed,but I was wondering if that could be the problem! Thanks!