Hey, I got my first straight razor for Christmas! Since I've been using a safety razor, I'm curious about how to actuallv use it. I've seen some videos where people use their left hand to shave the left side of their face and their right hand to stretch the skin, but here's the thing... I can't see the shaved part with this method, especially the part next to my ear. My razor-holding hand is right in my line of sight with the target part I'm about to shave. and I don't know how to solve that problem. My other hand feels super uncomfortable. and the result is even worse. Any tips for me?
Your proprioception will grow with time (knowing where the edge of the razor is) and practice. I have the same issue when shaving my sideburns on left side. In my opinion it's best to learn how to shave with both hands now and you'll find it much easier down the line. I'd say to start with, shave the flat areas and easy to reach/easy to stretch areas so you can start to learn the technique. Then finish the rest of your shave as normal with your DE razor. Over time you'll grow more confidence and technique and you can get a full first pass in with the straight. Watching YouTube videos can really help watch others' technique as well.. Good luck and have patience and learn to enjoy the process!
Thank you very much !
Here is a tip from a fellow newbie. In my 3rd week now. Yes I use both hands. It is still a bit awkward but feeling more natural. My main message is don't lose sight of the blade. My one accident was pulling with one hand on the neck and not seeing where it was and I cut the pulling finger. Not terrible but not pleasant. So it is day by day experimenting on the neck. Trying different grips to reach approach angles that are still a puzzle. Little by little areas get closer to smooth. But I still finish the neck with a safety razor and try for just a little progress each day.
Don't use a mirror. You know where your face is. You know where your hand is, and where the razor is. You know where your ear is. You can gently touch your face with the nose of your razor just to be sure. I lived on my boat for a few years after Katrina, and I had no mirror. Doesn't take long to get used to shaving without one.
Alternately you can make an "O" with the thumb and forefinger holding the razor's shank, and peer through that, at your mirror.
Bottom line, do it any way that works for you.
You could buy a brand new Gold Dollar or similar, unhoned, and practice shave with that, just going through the motions, scooping off lather. Or buy a vintage beater off fleabay, and deliberately breadknife the edge so you aren't afraid of cutting yourself.
I initially had the line-of-sight issue as well for shaving near the sideburns, but then figured out that there's a certain angle where my shaving hand only blocks the sight of the eye on that side, and I can still see the area being shaved with my other eye. For instance, if I'm shaving my right sideburns with my right hand, I'll see it out of my left eye, and vice versa. And yes, try using both hands early on. I started using both hands on my 3rd shave and was surprised at how natural it soon felt.
I'll also second the comments that mention being about to feel the blade with proprioception. With enough skill, one doesn't even need a mirror, though I still highly recommend you use a mirror for now. 😀
Experiment with your grip.
If I hold it with the handle pointing slightly down, with my forefinger just in front of the pivot, I can see that spot in the mirror.