Getting Ready For A Full Head Shave.

**Shoki** · 01-20-2011, 06:26 AM

Any advice?

I have 3 straight razors and 3 DE's. I also have a #1 and #0000 clippers. I want a close shave but I do not want razor burn.

I am unsure of the grain of my head. I think the crown goes back to front. The back grows north to south and the sides grow down and back from the top.

So using my face shaving knowledge I guess I will go WTG then XTG and see how my head holds up.

Again any advice?

Thank you,
--Shoki

**Catrentshaving** · 01-20-2011, 06:59 AM

Cant really offer any advice but hey

**mbaglio100** · 01-20-2011, 06:59 AM

Originally Posted by Shoki

Any advice [on head shaving]?

Shoki, I outlined exactly how I got started and the techniques I used to gain muscle memory and razor control here: http://straightrazorpalace.com/shavi...tml#post722540

Let us know how it goes.

**commiecat** · 01-20-2011, 11:53 AM

Your head hair probably grows in more consistent patterns than your facial hair. I shave the direction that I used to brush (when I could!), and second pass is across those directions.

The back of the head can be tricky in that a) you can't see it without mirrors and b) the area around the occipital bone creates weird peaks and valleys depending on if your head is raised or lowered. I do my first pass with a mirror, and then a second pass with my head lowered to stretch that area.

My hair is still thick aside from the crown and I found that my straights weren't lasting long, so I use a DE for the head shaves now.

**Muirtach** · 01-20-2011, 04:26 PM

I'll second Commiecat's comments about the back side. I had it even worse as I had an 8" mohawk that I had to keep even as well. As a whole the process is pretty easy to get used to and, at least for me, the skin on the scalp is more forgiving. I wouldn't worry about the bbs the first couple of times and just work on getting the motions down.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ohMmjGy58E

**Skippy** · 01-20-2011, 05:21 PM

I don't have any experience in head shaving, but if this is your first time, I would not recommend using a straight razor. If you're comfortable using your DE on your face, then you should be fine using it on your head. I would just do WTG the first few times while you get used to it.

**kalerolf** · 01-20-2011, 08:47 PM

I do it this way. I make my head wet, rub it with the brush, then I rub the shaving soap even more with my hands. Wait 2 minutes to soften the hair extra.
Then I make a nice Lather and rup it again with the brush. I shave the top first from the front to the back.
Then the sides and back of my head. (WTG)
Again soap brush, the back and side (ATG)
Again the top of my head. and then my head feels BBS.

good luck with shaving your head, believe in yourself and then it is very easy. You just try.

**Darwin17** · 01-20-2011, 10:30 PM

I am very new to DE and SR shaving. Here is where I can help in this one as I have been BBS shaving my head for 11 years now. I get no razor burn and the head is perfect when I am done.

Here are the steps and products I use with some explenation.

1. Shave your hair on a 0 guard, take as much off as possible to help your razor.

2. Take a shower, the first thing to do is the wash your head and exfoliate. I use Generic Tea Tree Oil shampoo from Sally's and one of those puffs my fiance uses for her body wash and give the head a good scrub.

3. Wash off the now dirty soap under maximum hot water.....it will burn a bit and sting a bit where your clippers have gotten too close but it is worth it.

4. Then I put a 50/50 mix of Generic Tea Tree Oil soap and Tea Tree Oil conditioner and rub it into the head. It will tingle and feel really cool but at this point you need to close your eyes as this stuff is evil if it gets in there.

5. Wash the rest of your dirty body off while the mix does it's magic on your head, some of this mix will have gotten on your face and tingle but whatever you will live.

6. Once you are done with washing the bod, feel how lubed up your head is, if it is not lubed up wash off and put a fresh coat of the 50/50 mix.

7. Finally the fun part...time to shave! This might sound strange on this site but in no way would I use a DE or SR on my head.....please do listen to me here as the angle is too hard to keep up and you will have some "problem" areas on your head. I use the Mach 3 or equivlent. Angle does not matter when using one.

8. Start at the top of you head against the grain...take the hand not holding the razor and just feel where the grain is, then go against it and shave off the hair. I don't think about passes or anything just take off the hair against the grain.

9. Then do the back....don't know if I would go against the grain here...head might not take to it too well at first but if you feel brave then go for it.

10. Sides of the head, go XTG here and it will get smooth, then if you feel you want more then go against the grain.

11. Ears...feel around them and take off the hair.

12. Now that you are done shaving the head you need to get it all off. I have found this to help with things like razor burn on the head.....get the shower to maximum heat and stick your head in it. It will again burn and sting a bit but you only need to do of for a couple of seconds really.

13. Feel for any missed spots and then get out of the shower and towel off.

14. Put on some type of "lube" on the head, for really shine I like to use baby oil and buff it with a tea towel....but I usually put on some Head blade head lube and then I'm done!

Lot's of steps but I wanted to give you good detail on how I get the BBS shave on the head. I will probably take a bit of time before your head can tollerate a BBS shave against the grain all the way but like you face it will get used to it.

Good Luck!!!

**nzFuzzy** · 01-21-2011, 12:57 AM

Originally Posted by Darwin17

7. Finally the fun part...time to shave! This might sound strange on this site but in no way would I use a DE or SR on my head.....please do listen to me here as the angle is too hard to keep up and you will have some "problem" areas on your head. I use the Mach 3 or equivlent. Angle does not matter when using one.

With all due respect. There are many here who head shave with DE & straight. May take a little longer to learn than the face but that is what this whole process is about. Slowing down, learning a new skill & getting rid of the multi-blades.

Check out this thread for some tips.
Have fun.

**Darwin17** · 01-21-2011, 01:53 AM

use whatever blade you want too....not my problem.....everything else though....I would probably give it a try as it comes from someone who has been doing this for a long time and my head is perfect....no scaring...because those don't go away.

I do realize that a DE is a way cooler way of doing it, SE even cooler......no offence taken.

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