Question for headshavers

Just recently I started shaving my head with a straight razor. I decided to dedicate one razor for this task. I have noticed that the razor gets dull quicker than when I used the same razor to shave my face. The question is how often did you guys have to hone the razor you used for head shaving and if any particular size or blade type made it easier?

And I just wanted to say thank all of you that made this site possible. It was my sole teacher in the quest for straight razor shaving and honing. Without this site and this dedicated group of people shaving with a straight would have been a pipe dream for me. Thank you all again!

For me I use the same razor for my face to do my head. I'm working on my technique each time and tend to get the best results when I strop right before I do my ATG and to do a guillotine stroke. This tends to do really well against my nemesis, the crown of the head. I have two spots that run in a circle, one on each side. Almost like I wanted to grow horns. Haha. But my blade tends to want to bind there quite a bit of my edge and technique is lacking that day.

But yeah your blade will dull quicker since you are shaving about 3-4 times more hair when doing a full face and head shave compared to just a face shave.

Forgot to answer your question. I still like a full hollow 3" standard for my head, but that's all I have, so I can't say much there. But to honing so far about every 2 weeks I have to touch up using my 16k and crox. Some may take longer between touch ups since I'm still new to honing and working on my technique and better my edges

I'm not much help here because I just got started with straight razors however I have a few of them and prefer to use a different razor for my head. I have only shaved my head 3 times so far but will be doing so today. I'm almost completely bald to begin with and pretty much dulled my razors with improper stropping techniques but have gotten better recently. I hope some more head shavers will chime in with some good tips on head shaving.

One of the techniques that I am using and finding good results when going ATG is one (I mentioned this before, but I'm just reposting as part of the list) a guillotine stroke. This one seemed to do the best. Two, a scythe stroke not as good as guillotine but safer. And lastly using a buffing motion has worked with good results in the most troublesome spots.

I have notice that I have to pay more attention to detail on my angle of attack and pressure when doing my head than on my face. Not just for the fact risking a cut but I find that I dull my blades the most when I tend to use the wrong angle and pressure on my head. Probably because while on our faces we have fat and other soft tissues to cushion the blade but with the head we have hard bone pressing on the edge dulling it if we are not careful.

When I do the back (the back only) of my head I don't use a mirror. The awkward angles and images to just see back there is more of a problem than a help. I normally go by feel. I feel the back to see if I am missing any spots and imagine just combing what I use to have, or at least that is the feeling. But I have notice with a few of my first attempts that going without a mirror for the back of my head it is actually easier than what most people make it out to be and as your confidence gets better so will your results.

Good shaving

Anthony- I feel that The ptrmature dulling of the razor at this point is more a result of bad angles due to: 1 inexperience shaving head with straight razor. 2 not being able to see what you are doing.

rlmnshvstr8, I have gone tha same route for now, mo mirror while I shave the back of the head. Only for inspection reasons.

There are a couple head shavers here that use a straight. I shave my head daily but 99% of the time it's with a DE Slant. Rarely will I use a straight for a head shave, if I do it's a heavy grind or the Feather SS. I've never used a mirror always by feel too.
SRP really should make this a Thread or sub thread (whatever it's called). It is asked about a lot it seems. I would do a search...

In fact I think I'll make that suggestion

I watched a few videos on it after I had already shaved. I did pretty good today and even finished with my razor still sharp. I did strop it about 40 times post shave. Some good videos on youtube! Thanks!

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Originally Posted by Trimmy72

There are a couple head shavers here that use a straight. I shave my head daily but 99% of the time it's with a DE Slant. Rarely will I use a straight for a head shave, if I do it's a heavy grind or the Feather SS. I've never used a mirror always by feel too.
SRP really should make this a Thread or sub thread (whatever it's called). It is asked about a lot it seems. I would do a search...

In fact I think I'll make that suggestion

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I will raise the question with the staff about a new sub-forum on this subject.

I think we could benefit from a dedicated thread. I believe that with more support there would be more straight razor head shavers. It poses unique chalenges and questions. Still wondering what is typical number of head shaves typical user achieves between the honing is required. Also how often do you shave your head? I am keeping to a every third day schedule for now to give my scalp time to recover from nicks.

Hoglahoo has set me up so I'm able to do a "Shaving your head" wiki. The title was all ready there when I looked but no information. Probably will take me some time to get something together, as I'm no ace on the computer and I want to make sure it's useful information of course.I will most likely bug some other members that I know shave their heads with a straight for input. I'll do some searches on the subject here on SRP and see what I can pull from that also.

For now - The last time I shaved my head with a straight was this past week. I used a 1/4 hollow 1 1/8" Bruno blade http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...ml#post1326879 post#68
I usually start at the sides and around my ears, with ATG grain stroke. Why? I don't know, it's what works for me. I do the same with a DE.
Reduction would make the most sense, but I try to accomplish the most with the least amount of passes to avoid irritation. Next up is the back of the head, I start at the base of the neck and move north.
The top.... well there isn't much there anyway.....but I still do a front to back pass. A lot of times I'll ride the blade with my pointer finger (makes for a nice stubble finder and "might" help avoid a cut and my thumb will trail and act as an angle guide. I guess the important thing to remember here is to keep your head lathered/wet, employ skin stretching, low blade angle and go slow. Nothing worse than a nick on the head, it just doesn't look as sleek :)
Video's helped me a lot when I first started shaving with a straight (beard only) I have noticed a lot of video's on you tube of people shaving their heads with a straight, I may have to take a closer look...
If any of you seasoned straight razor head shavers can point out YouTube video's you have done that I could use in the Wiki that would be great.

As for a DE I do all the same techniques even the pointer finger and trailing thumb - BUT I happened to note the time the other day just before going into the shave den, didn't rush just the normal 3 pass routine for a sticky smooth head shave and it took all of 6 minutes until I looked at the clock again. That is main reason I typically use a DE but I aspire to be more efficient with my straight razors atop the chrome dome

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Originally Posted by Trimmy72

As for a DE I do all the same techniques even the pointer finger and trailing thumb - BUT I happened to note the time the other day just before going into the shave den, didn't rush just the normal 3 pass routine for a sticky smooth head shave and it took all of 6 minutes until I looked at the clock again that is main reason I typically use a DE but I aspire to be more efficient with my straight razors atop the chrome dome

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I can't wait for the wiki. But as a side note how long does it normally take you to do a BBS on your head with a straight. It maybe me being too detailed during my shave but it seems to take way too long for me to do a full 2 pass BBS head and face (face - WTG, ATG; head - XTG, ATG). I'm hitting around about 1 hr to 1.5 hrs if I'm feeling sluggish that day. I've been shaving my head for about 3 months now i think, at about 2-3 times a week.

For reference, I can shave my face in 2 passes in 10-15 minutes without rushing. The noggin on other hand takes me 30-40 min. I have been shaving with straight for about 2 years, my head I just completed fourth shave.

My hair on the back of the head is so dense that it does not allow any strokes in neck to top of the head direction. For now I have to do front to back strokes only.

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Originally Posted by rlmnshvstr8

I can't wait for the wiki. But as a side note how long does it normally take you to do a BBS on your head with a straight. It maybe me being too detailed during my shave but it seems to take way too long for me to do a full 2 pass BBS head and face (face - WTG, ATG; head - XTG, ATG). I'm hitting around about 1 hr to 1.5 hrs if I'm feeling sluggish that day. I've been shaving my head for about 3 months now i think, at about 2-3 times a week.

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I'd say avg. 30 - 45 min. with a straight, keep in mind I don't shave my head all the time with straight though.

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Originally Posted by Birnando

I will raise the question with the staff about a new sub-forum on this subject.

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The staff has discussed the matter, and a new sub-forum has been set up just for us head-shavers

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Originally Posted by Birnando

The staff has discussed the matter, and a new sub-forum has been set up just for us head-shavers

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Woo hoo :y

Let us know where the sub-forum will be located.

Thank you guys!

Thanks, Birnando!

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Originally Posted by Birnando

The staff has discussed the matter, and a new sub-forum has been set up just for us head-shavers

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Any sub-forum for "Bald heads that don't need shaving"? :gaah:

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Originally Posted by MT4

Any sub-forum for "Bald heads that don't need shaving"? :gaah:

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There's always ear hair and nose hair trimming with a straight - close enough to a head shave....:P

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Originally Posted by Trimmy72

There's always ear hair and nose hair trimming with a straight - close enough to a head shave....:P

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forget the nose. ouch. but the ears, I've done that. It's really not that bad until you have to try to get those pesky ones that grow close to the ear canal

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Originally Posted by rlmnshvstr8

forget the nose. ouch. but the ears, I've done that. It's really not that bad until you have to try to get those pesky ones that grow close to the ear canal

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Be brave and give it a whirl! Square point, proper angle, and a slow scoop (like on the mustache) and you have a BBS nostrils HA!

I second the square point for nose and ear hair. Works like a charm

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Originally Posted by Birnando

The staff has discussed the matter, and a new sub-forum has been set up just for us head-shavers

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Thanks for getting this going. I haven't started shaving my head with a straight, still working on the face and improving my stropping. I have been learning the process with a DE. I started with a Headblade Sport and have a hard time leaving it. I can get close to BBS most days with it and after denting and dinging my skull for the first year using it, well I haven't been too eager to start cutting my skull again. The DE use is coming along. I just don't do multiple passes yet.

Just a quick note.
The sub-forum, while agreed upon by the staff has not yet been added.
Sorry for the confusion.
Hopefully you'll be able to find it under shaving within a day or two:)

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Originally Posted by Birnando

Just a quick note.
The sub-forum, while agreed upon by the staff has not yet been added.
Sorry for the confusion.
Hopefully you'll be able to find it under shaving within a day or two:)

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great. Thanks for the update.

Yay, they got the sub-forum up

I all ready posted to the New Sub Forum Head shaving hope I didn't jump the gun.....

I saw that it had 47 views, but no other post. Pretty sure I'm not the only head shaver?

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Originally Posted by Ggoongreen

Thanks for getting this going. I haven't started shaving my head with a straight, still working on the face and improving my stropping. I have been learning the process with a DE. I started with a Headblade Sport and have a hard time leaving it. I can get close to BBS most days with it and after denting and dinging my skull for the first year using it, well I haven't been too eager to start cutting my skull again. The DE use is coming along. I just don't do multiple passes yet.

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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.

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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.

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Now if I read ur post right, I would have to say :dropjaw: 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. :rock:

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.