Altering hands?

cako72 · 08-18-2008, 04:44 PM

So, after some 2 months of straight shaving comes the moment that I tries to alter hands and shave with my left.....Oh my, was that an awkward experience!!!!

In the end, it went fairly well, though I did skip my chin and upper lip, finished them of by my right.
But, is there any specific tips for altering hands, or is it just practice, practice, practice??

Best regards
Clas

Chimensch · 08-18-2008, 05:07 PM

One of the benefits of discussion forums like SRP is that they encourage you to try new things that you may never have thought of otherwise. For example, I shaved many years and with a str8 and it never occurred to me to try shaving with my left hand. I'm sure that there are benefits to learning to shave with ones left hand but after a couple of awkward sessions, in which I acheived results equal to, but not better than, shaving with one hand, I have determined that it does not improve the quality of the shave - and that's all I care about.

Ockham · 08-18-2008, 05:20 PM

I have shaved with two hands from the beginning, and I am usually strictly right handed. I took me some practice - especially for the jawline and the chin (I shaved my whole face since the beginning too) - but I am happy with the result: it is a nice, clean and smooth shave.
I have only one problem: when shaving with the grain, my right part of my face shaved with my right hand - remember that I am right handed - is LESS clean that my left side shaved with my left hand... I don't know why, but I suspect that I can better keep my skin tight with my right hand than with my left... but I keep on with the experiment and practice... practice is - like in almost everything - the key to success.

Utopian · 08-18-2008, 05:36 PM

The fact is that your brain needs to learn how to do this. It will get easier with practice as a few neurons do a bit of re-wiring. If you do a little alternate hand work every day, it will gradually get easier.

Lynn · 08-18-2008, 05:55 PM

Start out with just shaving from the sideburn to the jaw for a couple days. Then, mover over to the cheek. Then down the neck and then across grain on the side of the face and then up on the neck. If you take it in incriments, it will get easier quickly.

This same approach applies to new guys just starting off with a straight razor and using their dominant hand.

Have fun,

Lynn

xman · 08-18-2008, 09:16 PM

Alternating hands while straight shaving is a good idea. Altering hands with a razor is maybe not such a great idea.

Otherwise, practice.

X

Utopian · 08-18-2008, 10:09 PM

Yeah, I got that one too but since he's from Sweden I gave him a break!

cako72 · 08-19-2008, 04:34 PM

Hehe, from what I've read, "altering" can mean "change, modify" or "castate"!!! I suppose thats what you mean, Xman!!

Thanks for the lesson, though, it made me look it up anyhow!
And since my english is somehow rusty there will be lots of frogs hopping out of my mouth, so pay attention and maybe you'll have a good laugh!!

Best regards
Clas

Bruce · 08-19-2008, 09:37 PM

X,

I know what you mean. I tried altering my hand, actually one thumb with a tablesaw. It's no fun. But I am also not inclined to alternate as the other thumb is just fine without the adjustment done on the other, thank you.

poona · 08-19-2008, 10:02 PM

I just started from the off with both hands. I figured I wouldn't know how it should feel with my non-orthodox hand when I couldn't shave with my orthodox hand anyway.

lol.

Jimbo · 08-19-2008, 10:12 PM

Good point Graham - I was the same. It all feels weird when you start anyway, so why not just go for it?

James.

poona · 08-20-2008, 09:55 AM

Great minds Jim

blueprinciple · 08-20-2008, 08:19 PM

I'm a right-hander and have never even bothered trying to shave with my left because I like my ears where they are.

Also, I do not shave across or against the grain - I like a smooth shave but am not really too fussed about the 'BBS' - my beard isn't so heavy anyway. I read somwhere that quite a few razor makers advised against ATG as this caused burn'n'bumps, and indeed from reading books written in the C19th it seemed quite common for men to shave twice daily - in the AM and again after work - the origin of the phrase 'five o' clock shadow'. Seems that BBS shaving would have been a novelty to most Victorian guys!

ByronTodd · 08-20-2008, 10:01 PM

I shaved once or twice with just my right hand, but like a few who have already answered here, I decided that since my technique wasn't perfect with my right hand, there was no reason to not go ahead and start shaving with my left hand.

The bonus? I actually experience a slightly smoother, less irritation shave with my left hand shaved areas. To which, I can only surmise that I must be paying better attention to technique and the razor due to using my off-hand.

Good Luck!

poona · 08-21-2008, 11:00 AM

Hehe Byron, I was actually gonna post something similar to what you've written about non-orthodox handed side. Sometimes I find that I don't need to touch the area my non-dominant hand shaved and I also think it's due to the extra concentration whch helps give a nicer finish. Sometimes can get a little cavalier with my dominant hand especially when in a hurry.

sebell · 08-24-2008, 05:46 AM

I've shaved with two hands alternating from the beginning. I only have one grip, and
all of my strokes are reflected symmetrically on my face. I find it brings me a sense
of balance and well-being that only a minor OCD could enjoy

- Scott

cako72 · 08-24-2008, 08:20 AM

Ok, thanks everyone for the input, I'll stick to it, just because I'm so stubborn!!

Seems to me it can pay off one day.....

Clas

Ernie · 08-24-2008, 11:23 PM

When I first started I was very apprehensive using my non-dominant hand to wield such a sharp blade. Once I started, however, I got used to it very soon. I believe I was used to it within less than two weeks.

jnich67 · 08-24-2008, 11:44 PM

I used two hands from the beginning. I think it just gives you more options.

Jordan