Thread: Day 2 - Smoother passes on the left side?

So yesterday, I started as the beginner article recommended and shaved the right side of my face (I am shaving with my right hand). Today I continued the beginner's guide and did both left and right side of my face and finished the rest of the shave with a DE. I noticed that shaving the left side of my face (with right hand) was easier, anyone else find this? I was able to get the angle correct and made longer smoother passes down the side of my jaw and cheek.

Shave # 2 a success!

All the angles of hold, direction of travel, speed of travel, using less pressure, etc. make for quite a challenge when training yourself to use the straight.
Some learn to shave with either hand and others use just one.
You will find a method that works for you, and if you are like me, you will make a lot of changes as time goes on.
Shaving used to be just a necessary morning chore but now I enjoy the challenge and appreciate the nice shave!

Originally Posted by Galaxy51

All the angles of hold, direction of travel, speed of travel, using less pressure, etc. make for quite a challenge when training yourself to use the straight.
Some learn to shave with either hand and others use just one.
You will find a method that works for you, and if you are like me, you will make a lot of changes as time goes on.
Shaving used to be just a necessary morning chore but now I enjoy the challenge and appreciate the nice shave!

I agree. I can see how peoples preferences and styles evolve as they get better. And yes shaving is something I enjoy doing...might have been a barber in a past life.

I switch hands while shaving. Even after a year of fairly exclusive straight shaving, I still find that I have better results with my non-dominant hand on that side of my face. I also, so far, have never cut myself with my weak hand but I can't say the same for my dominant hand.

Originally Posted by jc50

I switch hands while shaving. Even after a year of fairly exclusive straight shaving, I still find that I have better results with my non-dominant hand on that side of my face. I also, so far, have never cut myself with my weak hand but I can't say the same for my dominant hand.

Interesting! I wonder if with your non-dominant hand you have a lighter touch and are more careful because of it being your non-dominant. I don't think I will be shaving with both left and right hands, even when I use a DE I only shaved with my right hand so the habit is already formed.

You know, if someone had asked me an hour ago if I use one or both hands with a safety razor, I would have said both. After 50+ years of doing it you just don't think about it, it's imprinted and just happens. However, after sitting here thinking, I use only my right hand with a safety.

With the straight I made myself use both hands, right/right, left/left from the beginning. The left was awkward, but I was surprised at how quickly it became natural. My left is now the more proficient in handling the straight. I guess my left didn't have any of those imprinted bad habits. I think it's easier to use both hands, but that's just me.

Howard

i use both hands and still find one side harder than the other... i figure time will cure it..

Funny you mention this. I am right handed. My right side of my face does get the better shave but not my neck. For some wacky reason I'm still trying to find out, I hit that hollow of my neck and without fail I nick myself on the right side. On the non-dominant side I can somehow shave right over it without crazy stretching and contortions. It must be the angle or how I make the pass differently. It's frustrating to actually see a difference between my right and left sides and not know why so I can actually apply the best of both worlds.

Stupid straight shaving...

I switch hands with a straight, but go all dominant on my DE. Having the tang to hold on to really helps me feel more secure with the off-hand.

Originally Posted by Katan2212

i use both hands and still find one side harder than the other... i figure time will cure it..

Yea the beginner articles on this recommend shaving with two hands to develop good habits off the jump. I might give it a shot for the third shave this morning.