Any headshavers out there using a SR?

[theclaw1975]

As in my previous posts, I am still horribly new at wet shaving. Currently feeling very comfortable with a Gillette Black Tip I got from the BST forum, for face and head. I prefer to only shave my head AGT like once a week because it already takes me "a while" at the sink, which is fine by me but not so enjoyable for my wife who also has to get ready for work in the morning I'm about 20 shaves in on the Gillette and after reading a lot of posts on here I decided to pick up a straight razor off the BST. It's a Kropp and looks awesome - came reportedly shave ready from a heckuva nice guy on here. I've got the 2 strap Strop Kit from Whipped Dog in the mail and anxiously awaiting its arrival in a few days.

So, I have no problem shaving my head with the DE, but don't see a lot of info or commentary about head shaving w/ a straight. Anyone have any experience or thoughts? To be honest, I'm experiencing a plenty of "newbie anxiousness" about shaving my face with this straight and don't intend on just jumping into putting that blade on my head for a while so I can get some experience with the feel. But, I am curious if we have any folks out there that have or do shave their head with a straight?

Sorry if that's a dumb question - I know most folks don't shave their head, but I figured the risk of asking a dumb question would be worth the always valuable insights!!

Thanks in advance,
Richie

 

[daflorc]

I have no valuable insight to this thread, other than I know of a couple guys who do shave their heads with a straight. Be careful that you don't scalp yourself!

 

[Seraphim]

Scapling yourself is exactly what you're after.....


When I first was shaving the dome, I used my Feather straight, but it took waaay too long to do safely.

 

[theclaw1975]

I'm quite leery.... The DE is working fine, I'm trying a Wilkinson Sword blade in it now and have no problems at all. Maybe I should be content with the success I have now!! Thx gents!!

 

[Firewalker]

Claw, Ladykate shaves his dome with a str8 razor, I use a Super Adjustable with a feather or Personna blade. Send Ladykate a PM and I am sure he will give you all the assistance you need. I have been shaving my head for 17 years now and I suggest you shave every other day, your skin will behave a lot better if you do. I also shave my head in the shower, a drop of Kiss My Face shave lotion and the DE glides over my head. I won't use Swords on my body, they are for removing stickers from glass.

I shave the face at the sink and am just learning to use a str8, 4 shaves so far and only one weeper that was due to complete lack of attention.

Yes be content but be hungry nonetheless...

 

[Snuff-Belgium]

I shaved my head with a straight in the past, no longer as I have sold all my straights and use Feather/kai razors with replaceable blades almost exclusively. I found it easier to shave my head compared to the face in so far that you don't have to stretch the skin BUT the length of the straight blade is a disadvantage, be sure that you know where the tip of the blade is at all times or you'll get cut! It will take a few weeks to develop the best technique and angles to obtain a good result but just like when you learn to shave your face with a straight muscle memory will take over and time needed will diminish greatly.

Using a straight for head shaves might not be the easiest way to do it but it's fun and gives satisfaction. But it's way more fun and faster with a Feather DX ;-)

 

[honed]

All the time, & have been for a couple of years.
I also use various vintage DE's.
On my face I find that a straight is simply better then a DE.
On my head it's not better per se, just another way of doing it.

Or you can use a cleaver, whatever floats your boat

 

[ladykate]

Gosh - that cleaver film makes me shudder every time I see it.

Edit: I don't recommend you do head shaves until you get good at doing your face. Much of your head will be hidden from view and you need to have a deft touch. That will come with practice. Trying it as a newbie might be ugly.

I use straights to shave my head but I also use DEs and cartridges. I'm one of the types that really doesn't hold allegiance to any particular style. I touch up with a DE occasionally. I use Wecks, Feathers, nice straights, cheap straights that are nice, etc.

I've found it easy to do a single pass on my head with the straight if it is nice and sharp (the straight, not my head). Going atg is slightly lethal when doing it in the back because you tend to raise your head or **** it at the wrong angle and that will make the back wrinkle - which will get you a nick if you aren't careful. WTG seems to work well - a very sharp razor is much better for me. Just go slowly. Shave more often maybe.

If you want BBS then you will need to bring your shaving-fu to the game. DE or cart is easier to get BBS but a straight will do it just fine if you are patient. I often use a Feather AC and can get a very close single pass with minimal atg on the back. I use it when camping because my prep sometimes isn't very good (cold water - crappy lather) and a cart or DE won't cut it (literally). Here is a shot of me finishing up with an RG with a custom handle. I was in the middle of a field/swamp in South Florida (November no less) and was using the side window on the car for a mirror. I normally only use the AC when in the field - it just works better for everything.



Heh... I just looked at the above and it seems I'm squinting a bit. Maybe just one more quick swish and that damn ear will come off and I won't have to worry about it anymore. Or maybe it was the sun...

 

[daflorc]

that video where the guy is shaving with a cleaver is friggin' awesome. I'm now tempted to try and super-hone a sheathed hunting knife and go to town on my face...

 

[theclaw1975]

Holy Mackerel!!! - shaving with a cleaver?!?! Nice trim job around the ears with that chisel as well. Don't think I will try that!!! LOL

Thanks for everyone's insights!!!

 

[smalltank]

 

[sychodelix]

As long as the skin stays stretched enough to not hit any wrinkles (or if you don't have wrinkles) then it's not too tricky. Just takes practice. I prefer my ER 1912 SE for the most part though.

 

[Seraphim]

 

[wquiles]

I shave my head every day with a (gasp!) a Panasonic Wet shaver while in the shower - I get a BBS with zero razor burn every single time, and since I have to little hair left (and it is thin), the blades/screen last a LONG time.

I tried shaving my head with a DE, and just two days ago with a Feather SS, but it just takes way too long, and it is very awkward. The only other way I found that I liked (but still took too long) was using a HeadBlade.

 

[Seraphim]

I shave my head every day with a (gasp!) a Panasonic Wet shaver while in the shower - I get a BBS with zero razor burn every single time, and since I have to little hair left (and it is thin), the blades/screen last a LONG time.

I tried shaving my head with a DE, and just two days ago with a Feather SS, but it just takes way too long, and it is very awkward. The only other way I found that I liked (but still took too long) was using a HeadBlade.

Do you lather up?

I had a Panasonic wet/dry before going to DEs/straights. Shaving in the shower was a nice feature. Using lather with the Panasonic gave very nice results.

Finding the correct replacement foils was next to impossible though...

 

[wquiles]

Do you lather up?

Yes, I have to lather for the razor to glide smoothly - my water is pretty hard. Good thing is that for my noggin, about any/all shaving creams work great. Pretty much all shaving creams that I try that don't work as great for wet face shaving (first with DE's, now with a Feather str8, and I hope to try a traditional str8 soon) automatically become shaving creams for shaving the head

Finding the correct replacement foils was next to impossible though...

Agreed. I now buy/get them from Amazon, but for shaving the head they last me 6+ months, so it is not too inconvenient/expensive.

 

[Seraphim]

Yes, I have to lather for the razor to glide smoothly - my water is pretty hard. Good thing is that for my noggin, about any/all shaving creams work great. Pretty much all shaving creams that I try that don't work as great for wet face shaving (first with DE's, now with a Feather str8, and I hope to try a traditional str8 soon) automatically become shaving creams for shaving the head



Agreed. I now buy/get them from Amazon, but for shaving the head they last me 6+ months, so it is not too inconvenient/expensive.

Scouring the internet for replacement foils for my electric is what led me to B&B in the first place by chance.

 

[wquiles]

Scouring the internet for replacement foils for my electric is what led me to B&B in the first place by chance.

Cool - the important part is that we did find this place. For me, it was the in-grown hairs and skin irritation I got with both cartridge and electric razors - I was desperate to try something different, so I tried wet shaving with a DE 6+ months ago (I think an EJ89 was my first razor) - and the rest (as they say) is history