Thread: 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!

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

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.