Thread: Advice for The Bald and The Beautiful

I am a bald man, by choice (I'm sure I'm not the only one)! I currently shave with the mach 3. I've used the disposable straight razor with some success, but wanted to go with a real straight razor. I am a newbie and just sent a PM to Kenrup about purchasing the Double Arrow starter kit. Any suggestions on head shaving?

Thanks!

Hey, I'm bald by choice too. My genetics chose me

Anyway, advice. Do it! There's a few of us here who shave our heads with straights.

However, I'd recommend being fairly comfortable with using straights in general before tackling your head. There are bits where you can't see the blade on your skin, and you really do need to know what that feels like under normal operating conditions before doing it blind, IMO. Grip, angle, stroke, and technique need to be fairly spot on and second-nature-ish to avoid cuts, nicks, and abrasions on the head.

You've got a couple of options. One is to to do North to South and South to North passes (roughly). For me that corresponds to with the grain (WTG) and against the grain (ATG), roughly. The other is to just do N to S passes.

Initially, it may be better to just work on N to S passes. And it's possible to get close to, if not entirely, a BBS shave just doing that. However, I'm very thin on top, so my experiences probably will not match yours or others with a full head of hair. You may find you need to go S to N as well. It's tricky and, in my experience fairly time-consuming, but do-able. I've just ended up doing a N to S pass every day, and avoided S to N because of the time issue (for me - others may have that issue down pat - practice makes perfect, after all).

So, in summary, my advice would be: (1) Get experience using a straight on your face first; (2) Move onto your head when that's all good; (3) Start on your head with N-S passes; (4) Move onto S-N passes if you need to.

James.

Just wanted to say: I am in awe.

I feel brave using a straight where I can see what I'm doing; using one on parts of my head I can't see just sounds impossible and a recipe for disaster.

Kudos!!

Thanks Jimbo! I just ordered my first str8 from Kenrup (hope to get it this week). I like your advise and hope to come out of both learning curves whole

Cheers!

I too shave my head, to the chagrin of many of my male friends that are balding, seeing as I have a full head of thick hair. and its red to boot. but...a dare plus the ease of maintenance...

I am new to the straight but think that once I get really comfortable with it so I can hold it properly and at the right angle without looking all the time and I'll be able to take a chance on the noggin.

Red

How many head shaves do you get Jimbo before it needs the hone?

Originally Posted by Bluesman

Thanks Jimbo! I just ordered my first str8 from Kenrup (hope to get it this week). I like your advise and hope to come out of both learning curves whole

Cheers!

Good choice

You'll not be disappointed.

I am a straight razor head shaver. I agree with the points Jimbo put down. I shave the first pass like you would comb you hair second ATG. I shave every other day unless I am going out and need to look a little fresher. My advice is learn to hone. I find a razor needs freshend up after three to five shaves to do my head. Not fully honed just drug across the coutiacle about ten rounds.
I feel and streach the scalp to get a clean shave. Shut your eyes and go by feel. learn to use the razor where you can see before moving to the back. Use good soap or cream. Try different grinds of razors. I personaly don't care for hollows or wide blades. Others love the big ole W&B's.

Keep us posted
Don

Originally Posted by poona

How many head shaves do you get Jimbo before it needs the hone?

Graham,

It depends on what blade I use and what edge I've put on it. Also, I have quite a few razors in my rotation and tend to cycle through them individually rather than stick to one or two. So it's a bit hard to say, I must admit. But at a guess, somewhere around 10 shaves, maybe more
I think, if you end up doing against the grain passes, you'd probably need to hone more often.

James.

Jimbo speaks much truth in his first post. It does work but find out what you're doing with the blade on your face first. The last time I managed to finish my head without a cartridge but that's four months in. Might be a bit abstract but, for me, it's like using a (very sharp) comb.