Thread: Swapping hands when shaving

I think the biggest mistake folks make is to try the left hand right away and then become disappointed at the early results. The most important thing is to start off just holding the razor in the left hand and getting use to it being there. Practice the strokes and changing hands and all the movement you can before ever putting the razor to your face. When you do, then just try one little area until you get used to it and build from there just like when you learn with the dominant hand. If you take a little extra time, it can definitely be learned and it is unreal all the things that you can start doing with the opposite hand then.

Hey Bruce, come on down and help me. There is never a lack of razors to hone in this house.........

Have fun

Gentlemen,
The noble Lynn was my mentor and I followed his advice. I still switch hands — and will always thank Lynn for giving me the best start I could ask for.

I agree. I started with both hands, and I'm very glad. It was just about as easy to learn both hands equally, but I would expect it might be frustrating to learn how to use my left hand after really figuring out how to use my right.

I found holding it properly in my left hand to be a challenge. Then I held it correctly in my right hand and just used matching fingers in my left hand. Since I was forced to think more about using my left hand I was more careful using my left hand.

its just like having to switch hands when you find yourself cornered on a small stream and your HAVE to catch that rising brook trout

When I started shaving with a straight I used both hands. Now I'm probably the most right handed person on the planet. However, inexplicably I've always done two things left handed, shoot a rifle and shoot pool . Other than that, my left hand was just a decoration that the Almighty seems to have added for looks and symetry. I don't mind saying using my left hand to shave was more than a bit awkward at first but now it's just something that I do automatically without ever really thinking. On the North-South pass my right hand does the right side of my face and left hand does the left side of my face. For some reason however, when I go South-North I do cross body (left hand for right side and visa versa) but still change hands. Not sure why I do this I just always have.

I agree that it probably would have been much more difficult had I totally mastered the dominant hand only and then tried to pick up switching hands. I guess it's easier to learn good habits without muscle memory than break old ones with lots of muscle memory re-enforcement. Great analogy with the brook trout by the way.

My right hand is fully ambidextrous and can shave either side of my face.

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

My right hand is fully ambidextrous and can shave either side of my face.

It's a darn good thing I wasn't drinking something at the time or you would have owed me a new keyboard.

I started using both sides. Since I was only doing my cheeks it was a good opportunity to get used to using my left hand along with my right.

Quick update from me. I've now probably been straight shaving for about 3 months. As advised I shave with both hands, however, its not easy. When shaving with my left I find I cant always get the angles right and therefore end up shaving the upper cheek without be able to see in the mirror. Not yet been able to shave the neck area with my left either. This is not to say I will give up but can take a little getting used to. On the whole it is well worth shaving with both hands.