Head Shavers: Long handle or short?

[craig94yj]

Good Gentlemen and Ladies of B&B,

I have a two part question I am seeking opinions on.

First: I am a head shaver and I notice when I get around to the back of my head and neck I inadvertently "choke up" on the handle of my Gillette slim. My question to you is; does anyone use a travel DE like the Merkur as a regular daily shaver?


Second: I love my shave soap but I notice that I have to wet my fingers with water to reconstitute the soap that was applied when I do my head. I already 3-pass my face separately to avoid it drying up on my head. Now it doesn't turn to crust, but it definitely needs a little water to bring back the "slick". So my second question is; are oils or shave cream any better for head shaving or is it just a matter of preference?

Thank you all in advance for your contributions.

 

[mftoms59]

I use a Schick Injector, J1, with the long white handle and don't need to choke up for the back of my head since I find it easy to maintain the angle with the Injector when shaving "blind".

Creams will work as well as Soaps, a wetter lather adds slickness and that's what I like for my Face & Head shaves, no need for oils when your lather is hydrated correctly. If it's difficult to rinse the lather and whiskers from your razor, your lather may be too dry, I'm able to clean my Razor by agitating it in standing water.

 

[craig94yj]

If it's difficult to rinse the lather and whiskers from your razor, your lather may be too dry, I'm able to clean my Razor by agitating it in standing water.

I think when I apply the lather it is of good consistency. I seem to take a little extra time and use very short strokes for the back of my head and by the time I go from bottom to top is where it starts to "dehydrate" a tad.. I don't have any issue with rinsing the razor either. I will have to see if I can work it a little more wet without losing the desired thickness I seem to like. That's why I was wondering if creams are generally thicker than soaps and do they have a better "viscosity"?

 

[BigBull]

I like to use the same razor for my head and face. They tend to be open comb's like the LC New or the FaTip. If I use my '11 R41 on the face, I opt for my DE89. That's my stable of razors. Either way, I much prefer a handle with some heft, ie Tradere, R41 Grand or the EJ actually has some decent weight - but the Tradere is my favorite. Long answer short, I don't think I'd like a travel size razor for shaving the noggin'.

I use both creams and soaps...and get essentially the same results with both. I usually have to "rework" the lather a bit when I'm done with my face...which has led me to actually doing the headshave first. I'll apply the preshave on the face and let it sit while doing the head...haven't done it long, but seems to be working out. Good Luck!

 

[Alucard73]

I use a British Gillette #15 (sometimes a 1934 Aristocrat). I like the open comb TTO and the length of the handle is perfect. The soap I use is Mama Bears Awakenings. Love the cool mentholated feel on my head. When properly lathered it works great.

 

[craig94yj]

I Love the cool mentholated feel on my head.

I was thinking about trying a menthol.

 

[craig94yj]

I'll apply the preshave on the face and let it sit while doing the head...

Seeing I only have one razor at the moment....I use the same razor too for both...lol...seriously that might be an option to try. Also, what preshave do you use? I have not purchased anything like that as of yet and all opinions are welcome.

 

[warhawk]

My favorite handle for head shaving is the Weber Bulldog Handle. That handle has the perfect weight and the deep knurling is very grippy.

WARHAWK