So I have watched a lot of videos online, and most of them show a grip with the first two fingers and the thumb on the tang before the scales, and the ring finger on the tail. They always show this before doing a WTG pass down thier face. They don't show how the grip changes doing an ATG or XTG pass. I am having a hard time balancing the blade while shaving up my face and neck with this grip. I straigtened out the scales today, and held it like I have been with my Feather AC, and that seemed to help, but I don't want to teach myself bad technique. Second question, most of the videos I see show right hand right side, and left hand left side of face. Is this the normal way to do it? Coming from my Feather Kamasori style, I had been doing the left side of my face with my right hand, and the right side with my left. I would change hands to do the close work next to facial hair, but am more comfortable the other way.
I AM NO AUTHORITY still learning also. but my ring finger seems to stay on the tang, up down sideways. occasionally, the knife is opened completely, then only thumb is on back side of knife. I can only use right hand, for everything, even skin stretching must be done with head movement. left is of little use.
Hold it how you're comfortable and still get the job done. As for changing hands, "Normal" is what you make it. I hold my str8 in my right hand for my entire 3-pass shave.
Personal preference. Generally, I use both hands in the process (left hand/left side of face; right hand/right side of face). I am incredibly lefty-dominant, but a year's worth of carpal-tunnel pain & surgery allowed me (or more accurately, compelled me) to develop my right hand for SR shaving. I feel pretty confident now with both hands in holding the razor. I hold the razor similar to this first shot below for strokes from ear to nose direction; or upward strokes at the jawline (toward chin) My grip for downward and upward stroke
Thanks for starting this conversation because I'm having a terrible time with this. Today I made some awkward grips just trying to get through the shave especially trying to go S-N
On my S/N up stroke I use my opposite hand. Right hand left side/ left hand right side.I also open the handle straight to the blade and use thumb and index finger to grip the tang (balance point).
Let's be honest: when one is starting out using a straight razor, practically every movement as you maneuver the 3" blade across your face feels a bit unsure or awkward. With regular use, however, the real but healthy fear of removing portions of the cheek, chin or adam's apple diminishes, and one's hand movements begin to feel more natural, confident and efficient.
You have have to use what feels comfortable. Do you want razor sharp steel against your neck without comfort? I use left hand. Left side with the grain left hand right side against and across the grain and reverse for the other hand/side. My grip is pretty normal index and middle finger on top of the tang ring finger on tail for the with the grain passes. For against the grain (up) passes I hold the tang pinched between my thumb and forefinger. Kind of holding the sides of the razor rather than top an bottom.
Dominant hand only myself My grip shifts as I shave, but thinking about it I am always at the balance point of the razor and my Pinky aids in control and angle
The second picture is how I hold my straights. I'm right handed, but I can use my left hand to shave the left side of my face. Strangely, I can't do that with a DE.
So today I snapped some pictures of how I was holding the razor. Honestly, when I just quit thinking about it, it worked best. Please note that there were no mirrors in those pictures. You are welcome.
No blood? Meh...... Actually I like what you said about how it worked best when you stopped thinking about it. Good advice and something that I think comes with a few shaves and that comfort level from still standing with no major arterial damage.
