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Help from any Karve shavemasters who shave both head and face...

Derby Extra is a nice blade, one of my top 3. I've not had any issue with face shaves and from what I gather you havent either. They're very smooth and quite mild, therein may lie your problem.

For heavier, more dense growth, such as head shaving from what I gather from a few members, the blade just may not be up to the task. I routinely shave my face and neck directly ATG buffing first pass. I can easily do that with a few blades, but Derby Extra, even being in my top 3, isnt one of them.

You might try stepping up your blade choice, but I'm not sure I'd reach for a Feather just yet. A Polsilver or Astra SP would be a good blade to try.
Thanks! I used a Derby for my first two shaves. I’ll try a GSB and see what happens.
 

Esox

I didnt know
Staff member
Thanks! I used a Derby for my first two shaves. I’ll try a GSB and see what happens.

You're welcome.

I'll be curious to hear how a different blade does. Derby Extra is my go to blade in all new to me razors and its only let me down once. Its not the blade for me in an R41. Feather need only apply in that razor.
 
Do not over-analyze. If the right side was as good as you expected then it's not the blade, and it's not the plate, it is most likely technique. I also shave my head. I am right-handed and would not even consider my left hand. My right side head shave is a breeze however when I move to the left side I need to come at each section from different angles and with a lot of care. Go super slow and try different angles you will be good.
 

Esox

I didnt know
Staff member
If the right side was as good as you expected then it's not the blade, and it's not the plate, it is most likely technique.

I must have misread the below, somehow.

The right side of my head was fine, but the left had three or four nicks requiring my styptic along with a swathe of razor burn on the back left of my head.

My mistake.
 
Do not over-analyze. If the right side was as good as you expected then it's not the blade, and it's not the plate, it is most likely technique. I also shave my head. I am right-handed and would not even consider my left hand. My right side head shave is a breeze however when I move to the left side I need to come at each section from different angles and with a lot of care. Go super slow and try different angles you will be good.
Thanks, NoScrubs! I used the same technique i’ve been using with the Krona since the cows came home. I switch hands there when I do my head and have never had a problem. I really think it’s the E plate.
 
I am not a wet shaver specialist - but I do have the karve A and B plate - I only shave my head and neck (I keep a beard)

I have only used my karve B plate once and that was on my head - it was a smooth and irritation, nick free shave, but I didn’t find it as efficient as my other razors - I donmt care, I prefer smoothness and irritation free over efficiency any day when it comes to my head

I really wanted to carry on using the karve, but within the next few days, my paradigm SE came in and I haven’t looked back

I will go back to my karve soon just to mix it up, but man, i’m Loving my paradigm SE

I also don’t use my left hand, only my right hand, but I would like to learn, I just get a little scared because the head is a very sensitive area without as much cushion as my face (I shave my face once a year)

Hope the karve B plate works out for you when it comes
 
I have the Karve OC E plate and it's fine for regular face shaving - nice and close shaves and no irritation.

I'm wondering if a GEM razor would be nice for head shaving? Maybe search on that. Like a Micromatic Clog-Pruf for instance.
 
I am not a wet shaver specialist - but I do have the karve A and B plate - I only shave my head and neck (I keep a beard)

I have only used my karve B plate once and that was on my head - it was a smooth and irritation, nick free shave, but I didn’t find it as efficient as my other razors - I donmt care, I prefer smoothness and irritation free over efficiency any day when it comes to my head

I really wanted to carry on using the karve, but within the next few days, my paradigm SE came in and I haven’t looked back

I will go back to my karve soon just to mix it up, but man, i’m Loving my paradigm SE

I also don’t use my left hand, only my right hand, but I would like to learn, I just get a little scared because the head is a very sensitive area without as much cushion as my face (I shave my face once a year)

Hope the karve B plate works out for you when it comes
Thanks, but my son introduced me to the Omnishaver. I used it for the first time yesterday morning. I was able to shave my entire head in 45 seconds. The shave was an amazing BBS. At this point, I don’t think i’ll Be using the Karve on my face.
 
While I do not have a Karve nor know their blade gaps I shave my head with a Timeless Titanium .95OC for the best shaves. I've been playing with the Timeless Aluminum as well and get great head shaves. I revisited my Merkur Futur on setting 3 and had a great shave. I feel technique is key. I take my time and listen for the audible feedback with shorter strokes to know my angle is correct. I do take 5 extra minutes on my head because I hate head nicks, they bleed forever! Take your time and listen for the feedback and shaving time does decrease.
 
While I do not have a Karve nor know their blade gaps I shave my head with a Timeless Titanium .95OC for the best shaves. I've been playing with the Timeless Aluminum as well and get great head shaves. I revisited my Merkur Futur on setting 3 and had a great shave. I feel technique is key. I take my time and listen for the audible feedback with shorter strokes to know my angle is correct. I do take 5 extra minutes on my head because I hate head nicks, they bleed forever! Take your time and listen for the feedback and shaving time does decrease.
I’ve been shaving my head for over a decade using my Krona. As they say here YMMV, in my case I rarely had problems with my Krona. I’ve never enjoyed shaving my head, and having discovered a remarkable new shaving device that allows me to achieve a rapid effortless BBS head shave every time is a real kudo! I use the same prep that I do for my face. I just get it out of the way so I can enjoy shaving my face.
 
Over 20 years shaving with DE/SE’s but only 5 years head shaving. Carts only on the head now.

The Omnishaver is great as is the Headblade Moto but I find the steel used for their blades is subpar. I primarily use the Gillette Proglide or Schick Hydro 3. Perfect BBS every time. DE’s are absolutely no match compared with high quality carts for the head in my use.
 
Over 20 years shaving with DE/SE’s but only 5 years head shaving. Carts only on the head now.

The Omnishaver is great as is the Headblade Moto but I find the steel used for their blades is subpar. I primarily use the Gillette Proglide or Schick Hydro 3. Perfect BBS every time. DE’s are absolutely no match compared with high quality carts for the head in my use.
I borrowed my younger son’s hydro 3 for my head a few year ago when visiting his family, but ended up with ingrown hairs on the back of my neck. Investors been shaving my face with my faithful Krona since the late 60s, and only my head for about the last decade. That was my only experience with cartridge razors.
 
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