Anyone have pictures or suggestions on how you hold your SR? I'm pretty comfortable on my dominant side (left), but switching to the right gets a little confusing, as does shaving my chin and upper lip. Most of the videos I've watched just show the fellow shaving his dominant side, then a text box that says "Repeat on Other Side."
Honestly, I have heard stories of these daredevil types that use both hands to shave when using a SR My left hand is basically regulated to being a Paw that holds the bone while I gnaw on the meat I think there are some vids out there on You Tube showing the switch if I see one I will link it for ya ... Sorry I couldn't be more help
Sorry, I have no clue. But I hope you find the answer because I would love to know it. I have the same issue. From what I can gather, there seems a huge benefit from learning with both sides due to the control and direction of attack possibilities.
There is no way I'm going to try to shave with my right hand. I can play drums with it, juggle with it, and I even shoot a bow right-handed. But I'm not getting close to my face with a razor in my right hand.
I use both hands to DE and SR shave. It feels weird when you first start. But, whatever you do with your dominant hand you can do with your off hand with a little practice. I actually get a better result from my off side hand than I do from my dominant hand. It feels really weird to me to shave the left side of my face with my right hand. I hold the straight razor the same way in both of my hands. I use the straight razor with the pivot closest to my chin.
I use both hands but I'm pretty ambidexterous. I just can't explain how but it's natural for me. I hold the razor exactly the same in each hand just shave off the other side of the blade (mirror image). There was an old barbers manual available free online that showed one hand shaving. I wouldn't push it, just do what feels right.
There are probably very few people as 'lefty-dominant' as I am. My right-hand has, for most of my life, been a bystander in the overwhelming majority of activities or tasks that can be accomplished with a single hand. That being said, I do use my right hand for a portion of my straight razor shaves. A portion. Only the right side and only the downward or upward strokes. All other duties are handled by my left hand. This has not been an easy task for two reasons: 1. my right hand is waaaay behind the left in coordination; 2. I have carpal pain in my left. Slow and steady is the key. Soon enough your right hand will develop some muscle memory and adequate coordination, but the left can still perform the lion's share of the blade-handling duties.
I've only seen shave videos that show shaving both sides and sometimes switching hands. Never seen ones where they stopped midway. Here's the most well-known one that is on YouTube and also has it's own thread on straightrazorplace. After watching again, I realize he isn't changing hands. You aren't obligated to change hands. I change hands when shaving my left cheeck and left hand of the mustache area. I have seen changing hands in videos though. It actually makes me have a lighter touch with less nicks when I use my left hand. Chimensch's shaving video:
I'm pretty much ambidextrous and from day one I made myself complete half the shave with my less dominant left hand, I don't even think about it anymore. But If you feel comfortable with using just one hand then that's perfectly OK.
I don't switch hands when I use a DE, but I do when I use a straight. Like yourself I'm pretty new with a SR, so I'm still trying to learn the best way for me to hold the razor. Some areas just feel more comfortable using my non dominant hand. It is not exclusive to which side of my face/neck I am shaving
I was very left handed, until I lost the use of my left hand and some of the use of my left arm. I have not only had to learn to use my right hand, but to do it without the help of the other hand to help. I have learned to adapt, improvise, and with the Lord's help to overcome. forgive me, I'm rambling. I use one hand.
..But your avatar is holding the blade with the right hand!!! What's funny is, I'm somewhat ambidextrous too, but I have only trained my right hand to shave with a straight. I learned most of my technique from that old manual "Shaving Made Easy" from 1904, and it showed good pictures of shaving the left side with the right hand. Perhaps I'll attempt to try with my left sometime, but I haven't had any problems using my right only and getting a good shave, so it hasn't been high on my list. I usually advise people against holding a razor against their throught with a non-dominant hand when it has come up before.
Touche (actually I the thought did occur to me, but it was more fun to poke...) I actually tried out my left hand shaving today, and like those of you who have tried it, it did feel a little awkward, or at least weird, but it did alright, and I didn't draw any blood. I just got a new antique razor, which was advertised as having been honed in a naniwa progression, but I didn't find it to be especially keen, so I only got a passable shave from it, but the left handed part actually went fine. I'll keep practicing as the situation suits. Never hurts to try new things, except when it does hurt...
Excellent! I was quite apprehensive about entrusting my clumsy right-hand with a 3" razor-sharp blade, but I surprised myself with how capably I was able to shave with it. "Nothing ventured...."
+1 on all the above. I was reluctant to use my left hand at first because I can't even clap with my left hand. Once, I got the nerve up to try it, I was amazed at how easy it was and how much more maneuverability I had.
