Shaving without two mirrors

Hi guys and gals

This morning, I read a thread mentioning shaving the back of the head by feel. It's not the first time I've read about this and I'm really wondering what keeps those who do it from using a second mirror to see what they're doing back there. I just think I'd end going over the same bits of head a lot trying not to miss anything. Do you feel the hair before every pass?

For the back of my head, I've always handheld a second mirror. I can't imagine any other way for me to do it, especially now that I'm using a straight edge to do the job. (I'll admit that having to put the mirror down to rince the razor is a bit of an annoyance.)

I look forward to your answers.

Cheers!

I've always shaved on feel for the back of my head. Even when I used cartridge style. For me the trick with a straight is to know the feel of the correct angle. Yes I tend to have more touch ups in the back but not much. You can't really feel the hair as it is covered in soap. But I've learned a method that works for me. Just takes practice. An yes my reasoning for doing it was because a second mirror that's handheld is a pain.

I see. I can understand that.

I actually find it pretty impressive that you go back there without seeing the blade.

Thanks for the reply!

I've been shaving by feel on one side of my face for over 20 years ,mi lost my left eye then , and I just do it by feel on that side , meant really see much of my face over there unless I'm staring straight at the mirror , but when you turn it goes away so I learned to do it by feel ,, you get used to it like Rollincoal said. Tc

Though it takes getting used to. For me in the beginning, I found it easier to shave the back of my head without looking than to use a mirror. It just felt like I was combing what used to be there. The old muscle memory thing and all. I rarely get any cuts. But I will say I do use a mirror because sometimes I can easily miss a spot if I am not careful, especially close to behind the ears.

Whatever works for you. I like to have both hands free: one for stretching, one holding the straight (obviously!). I suppose you could rig up a second mirror but it's a lot of what my grandmother used to call "farting around" when, with a little bit of training and practice, you can just do it by feel.

James.

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Originally Posted by Jimbo

Whatever works for you. I like to have both hands free: one for stretching, one holding the straight (obviously!). I suppose you could rig up a second mirror but it's a lot of what my grandmother used to call "farting around" when, with a little bit of training and practice, you can just do it by feel.

James.

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Sounds like you had a cool grandmother!

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Originally Posted by Jimbo

Whatever works for you. I like to have both hands free: one for stretching, one holding the straight (obviously!). I suppose you could rig up a second mirror but it's a lot of what my grandmother used to call "farting around" when, with a little bit of training and practice, you can just do it by feel.

James.

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Was your grandma Aunty Jack ? :)

If in a pinch I use my thumb and forefinger on my weaker hand stretched out over the back of my neck to create a barrier, use the same fingers to gauge where I need to go over again.

I found using a mirror confusing. Messes with your mind. Kinda like steering to the right and going left. I shave the back of my head by feel also. So I'm inpressed that you can use a second mirror!

I have not started using a Straight for my dome yet, but doing the back by feel is just second nature. You make your ass, and run your finger tips along the pass to determine where the edge of the previous pass is, and repeat. The advantage of "feel" shaving is that it allows for you to use your free hand to stretch the skin, to whatever degree possible, while making your passes.

Besides, a second mirror just seems like it would complicate things in terms of the perspective (left is right? or is left still left?).

Hats off to the gents that go without mirrors. I've shaved by feel before and it seemed as if I were indeed shaving over one part repeatedly with a tinge of razor burn to support that feeling. I always use a mirror in the opposite hand and it is a compliment rather than detriment... I start with XTG strokes from left to right but in the mirror looks inside to outside... Then finish with ATG which just looks like down to up.

G:ess it is all in what you are comfortable with... Whether by feel or using a mirror I still occassionally find spots I missed and have to take them down later. :)

Never even thought about stretching my scalp. Does it not wipe away the lather?

If you want to use two mirrors and still have your second hand free then buy a cabinet with mirrored doors inside and out. By opening the doors you can angle them to see the whole of your head.

I know this because I'm an extremely vain person and I like to check that my hair is not sticking up before I go to work.

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Originally Posted by Raiontzukai

Never even thought about stretching my scalp. Does it not wipe away the lather?

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No not really, or not any more than when you stretch your face. If you are interested I have a video on youtube showing how I shave my head. Just do a search in youtube for for JimboSRP. It's poor quality, but it shows the basics.

James.

I used to shave with 5 mirrors. 3 face and 2 domes. That was back in the day.
Bruce

I shave the back of my head by feel. Any missed spots? Well, thats what the Miss is for. Isnt it? Jeje.


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Every now and then i shave myself completely bald it feels amazing and cool...first time you do it it will feel strange having no hair but you get used to that after a couple of shaves...i do it by feel...i make a stroke on one strip...rub finger where i shaved then move over just a bit and repeat..when you mow down a chunk of it you can feel how much is gone...now i can just shave without doing that at all just move the razor over bit by bit do it in sections...if you have long hair clip it down first it will make the job easier...one thing i will add definately slap on some aftershave splash...lotion/balm..and later a mousturiser or body butter...your head will thank you as shaving strips alot of natural oils and can tend to at times make your head dryish....good luck :)

Just noticed this is a old thread sorry haha

I head shave every day. The best tip for it that i ever got was: think that you are just combing your hair, section by section. Then, buff off whatever your fingers tell you is still there.

also doing by feel without mirror... makes me wonder if we really need a mirror for the face too?