Thread: Newbee with a unique question

i think a shavette will do you well and if it doesnt work out then your not out too much cash

I have seen a few guys shave with a SR missing fingers and arms. It is possible and the only obstacle you could possibly have will be in your own mind. The guy that actually got me started was a soldier I met at Ramstien Air Force Base, in Germany, at the hospital. He had lost his right arm and was bound and determined to keep life flowing as normal as possible. We used to tease him a bit that he had a death wish shaving with a SR. He usually would offer to give us a shave....

One thing I noticed was he was extremly mindful of keeping the blade wicked sharp. Personally the only time I really start stretching and pulling on my face is when the blade starts to dull up a bit and I refuse to accept the fact my 30 second strop job was not sufficient to get the job done.

So I say go for it man. Especially after you master the art of shaving one handed with a SR, you would be like a Jedi master- or something of that level of prestige and honor. A man among men!!!

Originally Posted by Nitro

Hello everyone. Newbee here.

Fow a while now I've been thinking about trying out a straight razor to shave. However, I have a unique situation. I am missing my left hand. So my question is; is it possible to safely shave your face entirely with one hand? That is, without stretching the skin with your free hand.

Thanks.

Just because you are missing a hand doesn't mean you cannot stretch your skin. People overcome obstacles all the time and I'm confident you can do this as well. Facial stretches, contortions, etc.

Originally Posted by Nitro

Thanks for the replies.

<snip>
Also, I'm not afraid to try to shave. You're talking to a guy who gives himself intermuscular injections. My only concern is if it will be practical. Meaning, will I continue to cut myself just as much (or more) even after I learn. Or will the shave be no better than it is now i.e. be closer, more comfortable shave etc. I don't wanna waste the time and money if there's no real advantage.

Nitro, I think this needs talking about. You're going to read a lot here about baby-butt-smooth shaves with a straight. And I suspect that about the eleventy-twelfth time you nick yourself you might start to have doubts about whether it's all worth it.

As someone who has been doing this for a few months now, I gotta tell you that the goal of BBS / nick-free shaves is, for me, still a fantasy. It has to be, I'm too busy learning how to handle a shave-- any quality of straight razor shave-- without peeing myself.

Yes, my double-edge razor still gives me a superior shave to anything I can accomplish with a straight. Hell, if I'm completely honest about it, I'd have to admit that I'm pretty sure the wife's Venus Cartridge Piece o' Crap<tm> would give me a closer shave than what I'm getting right now with a straight. But what I want you to understand is that the only effect my having two complete hands has on my ability right now is that I have twice as many ways to screw up as you do.

So, why do I do it-- as you asked: "What's the advantage?"

I would say to you this:

Learning to shave with a straight, by trying to put into practice what I read here, puts me in a fraternity of men, every one of whom has been exactly where I am right now. No one here was born with the ability they currently have. I can trust, based on the experience they share here, that the goal you and I have of shaving well will come, if only we, as newcomers, have the faith and the discipline to stick with it.

When that day comes we join those who, like the ancients before us, need nothing but a blade. I want that.

The people on this board are a phenomenal group. At no time have I been ill-advised by any one of them. They continually give to us newcomers without expecting anything in return.

Where I come from that's incredibly rare. And I tend to treasure things that are that rare. I suspect you will, too, if you keep coming here.

Who knows...?
I may get a damn fine shave from a straight one day. Hope springs eternal. But when that day comes, it will pale in comparison to what I've already found here. I hope that for you, too. Do stick around.

Not to hijack to badly here, but mbaglio- I think that may have been one of the most eloquent, well thought-out descriptions of how I (and I imagine many others) feel, not only about straight-razor shaving, but about this community as well.

OP, if that's not enough to motivate you, I don't know what will! As far as dealing with it one-handed, I'd have to concur with the rest that considering everything else you've had to learn and adapt around, this shouldn't be any more difficult. Of course, that just puts you at the same starting point as the rest of us newbies- which can be pretty frustrating for anyone.

As far as the disposable-blade route, that's where I started out and it's a mixed bag. It is a great way to try it out for next to no investment to be sure. BUT, it is a lot less forgiving, so it's easier for a beginner to just say, "This is impossible, to hell with it all". I had such a rougher time with that little bugger that starting out with a real straight was actually a huge relief. Anyway, if you do try that first, just understand that it's much less forgiving and don't let it get you too down on the whole thing.

Best of luck to you, you've definitely found a great resource and community here!

If I remember correctly we had another person here who had limited use of one hand and got along fine. One of the many sages here stated something about those who were missing hands in the 1800s had to shave as well.
We also have had members who have gotten hurt enough to temporarily lose use of one hand, maybe they will chime in with suggestions.
There are a lot of great paddle strops available (oh, shoot I forgot to cut Glen some corian, sorry), but don't discount hanging strops if I were in a similar situation I would tie a tether to the bottom of a strop, then weight the end. I would then drape the bottom of the strop over something. It could assist you in learning how little pressure to use while stropping as well. I may experiment with weights if I ever finish fixing my house.

BTW I would never suggest a knife honer to even attempt a razor without first forgetting everything he knows. I have sharpened many knives. I know many custom knife makers and chefs who hone razors and all agree that they are completely different. Even one of my very favorite razor honers admitted to me once that he cannot sharpen a knife. In contrast there are a large number of guys I have seen on this forum who can sharpen a knife to the keenest working edges possible who admit that they know squat about honing a razor.
Just some food for thought.

Glad to have you here, hope you enjoy our little community.

-G

Ok... I'll try it. What's the worst that can happen? Don't answer that!

Now comes the hard part... deciding which razor to get. Any suggestions, on brand, size, shape for a noob. I'm not looking for fancy, just functional under $100. I figure if it doesn't work out I can always sell it, right? Speaking of which, how's the resell value of SR's?

I know I need a brush and strop also. I'm thinking the Tweezerman Badger brush and Filly strop. However, any suggestions on a good soap, cream and aftershave. Again nothing fancy. Just something to get my feet wet... errr face rather. Later I'll try different ones to see which one I like the best.

I can't think of anything else I need, except maybe a soap cup. I'm thinking a coffee cup, unless of course that's sacrilegious. What do ya'll use? Oh... and I see all these fancy brush/blade holders. Are those handy, or just gimmicks? How do ya'll store your toys?

Geez... now I'm really sounding like a noob with all the questions. Thanks a much though... I really apprecicate all the help.

Welcome to the board, and congrats on your decision, I'm sure you'll do just fine and that your shaves will be great.

I started shaving with only my dominant hand, and still do most of the time. I also do not stretch, not sure why that is but I think it was because it was awkward when I started. Anyhow, I don't really have the need for it, I get comfortable BBS from this method.

YMMV, I'm guessing that especially the stretching is dependant upon your face. If I had loose skin or pronounced wrinkles I do not suppose I'd be shaving in this way.

Two words:
Angle might be more important if you do not stretch. Make sure you get this worked out.
Also, find some post by JimmyHAD and take note of his signature, and make sure you remember it. Sound advice for most people indeed, but there is a spot on my neck that I can't get smooth by face contortions - I have many times thought his advice is what saved me nicks or cuts in that area.

Best of luck

Nitro, I have only been str8 shaving for about 2 months, so I can't really add anything to what others have already said except for the shave mug. I don't use a mug, I use a cereal bowl, from Target. It has a "pebbly" finish, not a glossy one, and is about 4" in diameter, and about 2 inches deep. I think it works awesome. I had a mug years ago (I was on Submarines and you couldn't have aerosols), and it was just too darn small for my tastes. Would a bowl work for you? I'm thinking you're going to need to leave the mug/bowl on the counter anyhow, so no need for a handle, but maybe the bowl would be too light. You could always set it down in the sink on a wet towel/rag.
Just something to think about...

I shave my whole face with one hand. I'm left handed and I reckon my right hand suffers from a dexterity problem. I do minimal face stretch on my weekday shaves but if I've got a sharp straight, I can still get BBS with 3 passes.