Thread: Dominate vs. Recessive Hand

I love the shave I am getting and I am working on those tough spotsthat you just can’t always get BBS. But has anyone noticed that they get abetter shave on one side as opposed to the other of their face? I do use myleft hand for the left side and right for the right. But it seems every time I finishShaving the left side seems to be a better shave. I am right handed justwondering if anyone had suggestion out there on what I could be doing to getthis difference?

Ryan.

It's not necessarily because you switch hands that one side is better shaven. My left side is always smooth with one less pass then the right side because my beard grows completely different on that side. After a WTG all I need on the left side is a XTG but on the right side I need to do a ATG to achieve a great shave.

you might check this out: http://www.pbjsite.com/shave/whiskarmap/

It'll even out with time and practice.


Mick

My development is kind of like yours. I'm a lefty and sometimes get a better shave on the right side because of the difficulties learning to use the right hand. I think I had to make more strokes with the right hand to get the job done and therefore got more practice.

You're doing all the right things as far as I'm concerned.

I had a theory about this once before. I figure that when you are learning, some people may be overconfident with their dominant hand and use more pressure or not pay as much attention to blade angle. When they switch to their recessive hand, they tend to focus a bit more to blade angle and stroke and they naturally don't hold the razor as tight as they do with their dominant hand, thus a lighter touch with the blade. Like I said, just a theory but it sounds good to me.

No mystery here. One side is stronger and more able to respond they way your want. The other is more awkward and doesn't respond so well you you don't get as good a shave. With practice it will improve however (speaking personally) even though you can compensate pretty darn good the two sides will never be truly equal using the same strokes and angle so you will naturally adjust you attack. In the end though you should get equal results once you figure it out.

Do most people use both hands to shave? I don't. My left hand is so awkward that I just reach around with my right hand and shave that way. Is that abnormal? I've been doing it this way the whole time, and I've never noticed that one side is worse or better than the other.

Originally Posted by U2Bono269

Do most people use both hands to shave? I don't. My left hand is so awkward that I just reach around with my right hand and shave that way. Is that abnormal? I've been doing it this way the whole time, and I've never noticed that one side is worse or better than the other.

Nothing wrong with using only one hand. I use both because in the beginning I found it easier to use my left hand than to block my view by crossing over. This is definitely one of those YMMV situations.

As you continue you'll find that you technique will not only improve but it will change as well. You'll also change your approach to each part of the shave and refine your technique until you're getting the shave you want.

I use both hands interchangeably for various parts of the shave. Seems to work better for me.

Charlie

Originally Posted by RPF

But it seems every time I finishShaving the left side seems to be a better shave. I am right handed justwondering if anyone had suggestion out there on what I could be doing to getthis difference?

I'm right handed.
I shave right side with right hand and left side with left hand.
Tthe right side of my face is (almost) always smoother, more BBS, than the left side.
Don't know why, but it is really systematic.