Thread: Question for headshavers

Originally Posted by Orville

I am going to be the exact opposite. When mine comes in, I will start by shaving my head first, and continuing with the DE razor on my face. My scalp has always been the easiest part of my shave, so I figure I will do my learning there first.

Now if I read ur post right, I would have to say Wow, that is a pretty big jump to start str8 shaving with ur head even if it is just scalp only at first. I know that if it was me after my learning curve I would have done cheeks first to get at least some of the techniques down first. Not to mention nicks on the cheeks hurt less than on my head. But if ur comfortable with starting on ur scalp first go ahead just watch ur pressure and angle.

Thanks for the heads up (sorry). It is not something I had considered, to be honest. I have just always had an easier time dealing with shaving my scalp than my face and neck. And I do so with so much more ease, that I thought it would be a more natural way to go. Obviously, I have concerns with the delicate bits round the ears, but I do not plan to leap right in as soon as the razor arrives. I have a bit of study to do first.

I'm at least as bold as most men (and bolder than a few) when it comes to straight razors. I routinely shave my spud with a straight each and every Sunday but relative to ear and nose hair I think I'll stick with my battery operated gizmo.

Regarding the OP, I've figured out (like many of you) that running a straight razor through a week's worth of head stubble will indeed take its toll on an edge. To mitigate this problem I normally run clippers first, take a hot shower then shave my head smooth with a couple passes of the straight. This seems to minimze the abuse on the edge and the honing requirement is pretty consistent with the standard for every day face shavers. Of course I'm stropping before and after as well. My current rotation features a safety razor, a shavette of some sort and two traditional straights per week. The Sunday haircut is typically done with one of the traditional straights (i.e. I don't have a dedicated spud razor). Every once in a while I'll use a safety razor or shavette just for variety sake but this is the exception rather than the rule. Most of my haircuts use traditional straight razors.

I wondered about edges and honing for my Straight. My original idea was to leave the Straight for weekends, when I will have more time to dedicate to a relaxed shave. But, eventually, I will be doing everything from the neck up with a Straight. Luckily for me, I am not an every day shaver.