Hello everyone! After 15+ years of shaving my head with an electric razor,I have decided that the time has come for a change. I am currently looking at a Karve Bison for my first razor and was curious if anyone here has any experience with this or the Overlander for shaving their head. If anyone has any other suggestions your advice would be greatly appreciated.
First Headshaving Razor?
- Thread starter Bmac71
- Start date
I'm sorry I can't help you with your razor selection but welcome to B&B.
There are a bunch of good choices out there but remember it is more about focusing on your process and technique. Those to you mentioned are good starter choices. Also Karve's daily driver is another one, the nice thing about that setup is you change the plates to fine tune your shaving process, plus it is a great foundation to build on has you improve. Now you just have to buy maybe an base plate then a totally different razor. The set comes with 3 plates, so that really should hold you for some time. Other choices are Rockwell (6c / 6s) , popular but I find the head chucky ( that is just me). Henson is a quick transition to DE's , but really not much chance to hone in and grow your DE skills because it is an auto pilot razor.
BFX
BFX
Wish I could help, but I am not a head shaver!!
There are a number of head shaving members, and you should hear from some.
If not, try reposting, asking for help with head shaving.
If not, try reposting, asking for help with head shaving.
I am not a head shaver, but I seem to recall that several folks are happy with the Leaf for head shaving.
I love my Henson AL13+ for headshaves. Easy to use although some buffing in troublesome areas is required. Never caused the slightest irritation though. For me the light weight of this razor is a bonus when working the back of my head.
As a headshaver for 18 months, I'm recommending the Leaf.
It takes up to 3 half-DE blades, and you can choose how many and where to position them depending on how close you want your shave. Some find two blades enough, but I prefer three.
It has a pivoting head, which means finding and maintaining the right angle is easier than with a traditional DE. The spacing between the blades means the razor won't get clogged.
It has a long handle that makes it easy to reach the back of the head and nape of the neck.
It's easy and comfortable to use. Like all razors, there's a learning curve, but once you have the hang of it, there's honestly nothing better for head shaving.
It takes up to 3 half-DE blades, and you can choose how many and where to position them depending on how close you want your shave. Some find two blades enough, but I prefer three.
It has a pivoting head, which means finding and maintaining the right angle is easier than with a traditional DE. The spacing between the blades means the razor won't get clogged.
It has a long handle that makes it easy to reach the back of the head and nape of the neck.
It's easy and comfortable to use. Like all razors, there's a learning curve, but once you have the hang of it, there's honestly nothing better for head shaving.
After 30+ years of shaving my head I firmly believe that the best razor for head shaving is probably whatever you're holding. 
I find my aging hair is getting both sparser in spots and also harder. I don't use any razor that is hyped as "mild" because the ones I've tried turned out to be too mild to shave well for me. I usually say "mid-aggressive razor with a mid-sharp blade" which usually means a slant from the more slanty side of the lineup and an Astra SP blade.
I've also used shavettes, devettes and sevettes all of which due to being a naked edge probably qualify as "aggressive." I've got two razors at the moment that give me very smooth head shaves: the RazoRock Superslant L3++OC and the SlimGem Mantis SE (a Gem-format sevette). Either one requires good technique and care in use, but both bring in the goods without a lot of farting around on cleanup.
O.H.
I find my aging hair is getting both sparser in spots and also harder. I don't use any razor that is hyped as "mild" because the ones I've tried turned out to be too mild to shave well for me. I usually say "mid-aggressive razor with a mid-sharp blade" which usually means a slant from the more slanty side of the lineup and an Astra SP blade.
I've also used shavettes, devettes and sevettes all of which due to being a naked edge probably qualify as "aggressive." I've got two razors at the moment that give me very smooth head shaves: the RazoRock Superslant L3++OC and the SlimGem Mantis SE (a Gem-format sevette). Either one requires good technique and care in use, but both bring in the goods without a lot of farting around on cleanup.
O.H.
Yes. Truly yes. There is no one razor inherently better for head shaving.After 30+ years of shaving my head I firmly believe that the best razor for head shaving is probably whatever you're holding.
If you are purchasing your first, the Overlander is a specacularly wonderful DE razor for price, comfort, and efficiency. The Bison is said to be very very similar to the Overlander. The weight difference would be the primary factor. I like aluminum when shaving the dome as your arms are held upright, so there it is less strain. But a heavy stainless razor is not too great a burden to bear for someone in general good health.
The Henson was recommended above. The Henson was the first razor to get the back fringe smooth after years of shaving with cartridges. Henson is a great choice. The medium worked better for my head. The medium got the job done in two passes, the mild in 3.
My personal preference is for more "aggressive" razors on the head. The Blackland Blackbird is my favorite head shaving razor.
I have a Leaf, but do not use it much any more. The pivoting head is great, and it is far more efficient than cartridges. It is a very good choice as the pivoting head does not require you to maintain a certain angle. I am just lazy, and find DE razors much easier to load the one blade instead of the Leaf 3 halves. Plus, the DE razors give me a better, smoother result.
Don't overlook vintage Schick injector razors. The older E, G, and J are more aggressive/efficient than the later models. The blades are more rigid and last longer than DE blades. The Schicks are quite inexpensive, and are an excellent head shaving tool. Now that I think about it, if you only want to purchase one, go for a Schick G or J. They are super cool looking, easy to use, and work very well.
I have used most if not all my razors for headshaves (I will guess +- 80).
The easiest are the Schick branded injectors (NOT the repeater); and the Leaf Thorn
My 5cent advice: start with a cart....that will get you used to the movements needed to cover all your scalp....otherwise you will keep missing spots and get frustrated.....get a cart w one or two blades or even better the Gillette Guard from India.... Just go in two directions that have a 90 degree angle to cover most areas....first up to down and then front to back....
Good luck
The easiest are the Schick branded injectors (NOT the repeater); and the Leaf Thorn
My 5cent advice: start with a cart....that will get you used to the movements needed to cover all your scalp....otherwise you will keep missing spots and get frustrated.....get a cart w one or two blades or even better the Gillette Guard from India.... Just go in two directions that have a 90 degree angle to cover most areas....first up to down and then front to back....
Good luck
The leaf is a great razor for head shaving
The Bison is phenomenal for head shaves. You can’t really go wrong with either — the Overlander well earns its stellar reputation — but strictly for head shaves I would pick the Bison.
I have been a head shaver for 15+ years.
I only have a few Vintage TTO Gillette's and use these for daily head shaving.
The key is technique not equipment. Rich wet lather and no pressure on the razor.
I only have a few Vintage TTO Gillette's and use these for daily head shaving.
The key is technique not equipment. Rich wet lather and no pressure on the razor.
Slightly echoing others, but a twofold answer: any of my razors does a great job head shaving with preferences of course, but all are great basically. I do like it somewhat more aggressive perhaps.
That said I really enjoy single edge razors for the head like GEM razors or injector razors. There is something about the sturdiness of the blade that just seems to work with my head and skin. Less so on my face in comparison.
I have been using a Schick G1 mostly and it’s phenomenal. Fresh blades tends to deliver one pass BBS or close to it. My wife gave me a Supply razor for our anniversary earlier this week and so far two shaves in it is amazingly comfortable while also being effective. Like it very much. The Supply is also an injector razor. Depending on where you live there is one potential downside and that’s availability of blades (at least within the EU).
Welcome to B&B!!
Guido
That said I really enjoy single edge razors for the head like GEM razors or injector razors. There is something about the sturdiness of the blade that just seems to work with my head and skin. Less so on my face in comparison.
I have been using a Schick G1 mostly and it’s phenomenal. Fresh blades tends to deliver one pass BBS or close to it. My wife gave me a Supply razor for our anniversary earlier this week and so far two shaves in it is amazingly comfortable while also being effective. Like it very much. The Supply is also an injector razor. Depending on where you live there is one potential downside and that’s availability of blades (at least within the EU).
Welcome to B&B!!
Guido
I'm a head shaver too, and I use both the Overlander and the Bison regularly. I find milder razors to give me a more care-free experience, since head shaving involves a lot of weird angles, limited visibility and potential to nick yourself. The other razors I have and love: Yates Merica, Blackbird Lite, Atelier Durdan La Faulx, Alpha Spirit.
I haven't liked any of the Hensons I have tried at all. I tend to prefer razors with a little heft, although the Bison and the Spirit are both quite light and fun to use.
I too have a Leaf Razor that has been collecting dust for quite a while. It was my first non-cartridge razor and I quickly caught a bad case of RAD... Maybe I should give it a spin to see how I like it now!
I haven't liked any of the Hensons I have tried at all. I tend to prefer razors with a little heft, although the Bison and the Spirit are both quite light and fun to use.
I too have a Leaf Razor that has been collecting dust for quite a while. It was my first non-cartridge razor and I quickly caught a bad case of RAD... Maybe I should give it a spin to see how I like it now!
I'm a headshaver too and my preferred weapon of choice is a Blackbird Ti. So my recommendation is to get a light and nimble razor that has a 4" handle. Also either get a razor where the weight is distributed more towards the handle to aid in the nimbleness. Pair it with a smooth blade like the Astras.
