When I first started this madness several months ago, I read a post (I think by Kyle) suggesting holding the Merkur HD (the only razor I use) with two fingers at the very end of the handle. The rationale was that it would be easier to avoid applying excess pressure this way. But recently I read a post on Leisureguy's blog suggesting holding the Vision (or Futur, I can't remember) by the balance point. Lately I've been trying that with my HD. I basically hold it with two fingers, with a third wrapped loosely around it for control. I do feel that I have more control this way, since it means my fingers are much closer to the razor's head, but I can't say my shaves have been any better as a result. And it is a bit awkward, though not unmanageably so, going against the grain with this grip. Comments?
I used the Kyle grip just to get a feel for how light the pressure can be and still get a good shave---and I held a razor by the head to get a feel for the right blade angle. (It was a travel razor with no real handle, so you had to hold it by the head.) But generally, I find a comfortable grip... Once you have a feel for the right pressure and the right angle, I think you can hold the razor any way that feels good. The extreme grips are just illustrative, not (IMHO) for daily shaving. And using the Kyle grip with a Futur or Vision would be extremely difficult and tiring.
I was using that "Kyle" grip for a while, but I saw Mantic suggest like a "dart" in one of his videos, and I think that is sort of what I have migrated to. Two fingers and thumb, razor head above the index finger, about two-thirds the way down the razor's handle.
That's about what I've been doing the last couple shaves...seems comfortable and intuitive. I think Michael has it right...once you've learned the proper touch, hold it however you want.
I almost always hold my razor near the top of the handle, not necessarly just below the head, but definitely upper 1/2 to upper 1/3 of the handle. It also changes from day to day and slightly from razor to razor.
I use varying grips depending on which direction and area I'm cutting. The two finger method never worked well for me as I felt it was tiring on my hand. Most of all, I just make sure to keep my hand and the razor handle as dry as possible to avoid slipping. As for pressure, blood and irritation are usually a good sign you're apply too much :happy088
I started with the two finger grip, and I've recently switched to a two fingers on top, thumb under, around the middle of the handle. Sort of a dart grip, I guess.
I use a three finger grip as it is the most natural for me. I position my fingers below the balance point of the razor so it is head heavy.
I am no expert, but what works for me best is the balance point. It helps keep the touch light, and allows for east rotation of blade angle without a lot of extra effort.
What he said!! I tend to choke up on my razor handle quite a bit. It wasn't until I did this that I started to get descent shaves. I agree with michael that the kyle grip is great to get the feel for how much pressure is needed, but it just is not the grip for me.
I hold mine just below the head. I actually think the Gillette 195's oddly-located adjuster is a feature since I wind up holding my gillette or vision by the adjuster ring.
I hold'em where they will give the closest shave and cause the least amount of damage, that changes from razor to razor, as they all have different head weights etc, etc, ..................
I even didn't remember that how has i gripped in the beginning but currently i am using above mentioned grip and that is best for me . I am pretty comfortable with this but i am amazed that holding razor from lower end might make more difficulties and can be a cause of scratches . What you people think about it ?
I just wanted to see what the first post was in this section! I use three fingers (two fingers and a thumb) at or near the balance point, or about an inch below the head, and the optimum handle length range is two and three quarters to about three inches.