Thread: Thinking About Shaving My Head With a Straight for Movember, any tips?

I actually agree with Johnus, I've had better luck with my Feather Kamasori style razor. Although I have improved my finished edges on my straights with the recent purchase of a Yellow coticule and Chromium Oxide. Maybe I should try again with a straight, my edges have been smooth like butter. Carl you can always stop if you nick yourself, use the Alum block (bite down on your leather wallet) and try again or switch to your DE, no shame in that.

I DID check out the Feather razors, nice little implements they are, but a little expensive; I can get a nice vintage razor for that price! I'd never be able to use one; I sometimes feel like a traitor when using my DE!

I think I'll trim my hair down to a number 1, then use my Wade and Butcher Special. The edge is not SCARY sharp and it's a very smooth razor. I don't want to finish off with a DE or anything, but will take the advice and buy an Alum block (I've never used one as I'm such a phenomenally good straight razor shaver I've never needed one).

Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

I think I'll trim my hair down to a number 1, then use my Wade and Butcher Special.

Am I the only one thinking it would be incredibly satisfying to just give 'er and go right to the straight without taking it down to a no.1 first? I know that's extremely easy for me to say since it isn't my noggin we're talking about, but if shaving a bunch of hair off your head is half as satisfying as shaving off the mo post-movember, I'd be tempted to give it a go.

Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

(I've never used one as I'm such a phenomenally good straight razor shaver I've never needed one).

Born a natural were you? (:

I'm of the opinion that blood stops, cuts heal. Anything worth while involves a little risk. I believe that your results will largely depend on your mindset. cool head, steady hand, steel resolve. I have faith you can pull it off. Let us know how it goes. Happy shaving sir. P.S working out a map of how and order of operations for the attack should prove to be helpful. I believe it could be easy to get lost with out it

Agreed, feathers are a bit expensive and honestly mine doesn't get much use. I bought mine for travel. Just kidding about the Alum block (unless you like to feel the burn & the tightness that will follow), Witch Hazel might be a little more pleasant.
I agree with Cangonner, just mow down those hairs with the straight. It makes me want to grow my horse shoe back in and try it, Haha! You can always use the clippers if it proves to be to much.

I'm surprised others haven't chimed in, that actually shave their head with a straight...

Originally Posted by Cangooner

Am I the only one thinking it would be incredibly satisfying to just give 'er and go right to the straight without taking it down to a no.1 first? I know that's extremely easy for me to say since it isn't my noggin we're talking about, but if shaving a bunch of hair off your head is half as satisfying as shaving off the mo post-movember, I'd be tempted to give it a go.

So now you've gone and set me a challenge! Bastard!

Originally Posted by RoobtheLoob

Born a natural were you? (:

[cough] Yes.........

Originally Posted by huckelberryhound22

I'm of the opinion that blood stops, cuts heal. Anything worth while involves a little risk. I believe that your results will largely depend on your mindset. cool head, steady hand, steel resolve. I have faith you can pull it off. Let us know how it goes. Happy shaving sir. P.S working out a map of how and order of operations for the attack should prove to be helpful. I believe it could be easy to get lost with out it

The map's a good idea, at least a PLAN!

Go carefully and be systematic - you have enough experience with how a straight should feel on your skin to do it well on your head. Grind doesn't matter so much, though when people first start out they seem to prefer a wedge.

Stretching is as important on the head as it is on the face. Fortunately you can move your head (eg chin to chest) to get some stretches or to aid some stretches. Just don't move your head mid-stroke - set up your head position first, then shave that bit.

Things get a bit trickier at the back of the head where you cannot see the razor on the skin. Avoid the temptation to use two mirrors - I've never tried it, but from what I hear it gets confusing for most people. Rather, check the angle in the mirror at the crown of the head, then lock that in and shave carefully down toward the neck.

The top of and immediately behind the ears can also be slightly problematic for some people - stretching helps a lot. Reach over your head with the non-shaving hand and pull the skin up and away from your ears, then shave there. This does require you are OK with using left and right hands to shave. Doing your head with only your dominant hand is, I think, rather difficult so think about whether you are able to use both hands. It's not impossible to use only one hand, but I think it makes life more difficult.

I'd also suggest, at least initially, only doing a north-south pass (front to back). If you stretch well you can get a pretty close shave with just a single pass.

Finally, at the risk of appearing to flog my own work, I made a video of how I shave my head some years ago now. It's only about 6 minutes or so and it appears to be apropos to the discussion at hand, so forgive me for blatantly reposting it here for your delight and illumination

Straight Razor Head Shave - YouTube