Using one hand to shave. Wait! Make it two!

[Luc]

It seems that the experience that I have with a straight razor might become useful with the SE... I never used both hands with a safety razor. I always use my right hand and would use my left to stretch the skin ATG on the neck on a few spots and that's it.

For some mysterious reasons, I'm right handed and the right side of my neck (where it grows in a circle), is always very difficult to get, even if I stretch the skin. I do not get any irritation but it's not always close.

I decided to do an experiment a few days ago. I decided to use my SE (then Injector) like I would them with a straight razor minus the skin stretching (well, not to the same extend as when I use a straight razor). So, what it means, I would use both hands to shave.

WTG - Left hand on the left side, Right hand on the right side
XTG - Left hand on the left side, Right hand on the right side
ATG - Left hand on the right side, Right hand on the left side (that's how I do it with a straight razor).

To my surprise, I must maintain the blade angle way better that way, the shave was super close.

I remember my first few shaves with a straight razor using both hands. It felt very un-natural to switch hands but, it took around 5-10 shaves and I was all right. Now it feels natural to use both hands.

I will continue to do so and see if I can keep a better result when doing that. Is there anyone who has a similar experience? If so, please share.

 

[mblakele]

Good idea, Luc. Normally I move the razor from my shoulder and my elbow: using my right hand on the right side restricts that range of motion quite a bit. For years now I have been meaning to try my left hand instead, but it never seems to happen.

 

[Luc]

Good idea, Luc. Normally I move the razor from my shoulder and my elbow: using my right hand on the right side restricts that range of motion quite a bit. For years now I have been meaning to try my left hand instead, but it never seems to happen.

This is how I normally shave also. I might not be able to create the exact same angle (obviously) if I only use my right hand. I keep getting flashbacks of when I did that with a straight razor. It feels weird but slowly, it's getting better!

 

[Luc]

I'm on shave #5 with both hands and I must say, it's starting to pay off as the shaves are more consistent. I'm also gaining speed with my left hand. It won't take long that I will complete a full shave in the same time frame than if I would using my right hand only. It probably takes me 1-2 minutes more at the moment which is really quick considering. The straight razor experience is valuable right now. It's more "natural" right now and I expect this to be a no brainer by shave 10!

 

[alex2363]

I may just try that for my problem neck area too. I have swirls type of growth, and it is hard to shave off. I do a X type of stroke, and i may just incorporate the other hand procedure too.

 

[mswofford]

For some reason I've always been able to use either hand on both sides of my face. I never thought that there was anything remarkable about it, it just seemed like a good way to avoid tiredness.

 

[JHP]

+1 Luc. I started using both hands after I decided to try a straight but before my full kit arrived. I have continued to do so. I also find that my stretching/flattening techniques from straight shaving have improved my SE/DE shaves.