Thread: Suggestions on shaving your head

I've seen and read on here that folks are shaving their heads with a st8 razor. I'm just looking for details that will make the process go a little easier.

It's been at least 15 years since I actually put a razor to my head. My sister helped me back then with a BIC razor. It didn't matter what direction WTG, XTG, and worse ATG it just flat out hurt. Why even do it? The answer to that is a coworker is going through chemotherapy and I told her while she is getting treatment I will also be without hair.
My beard is thick, but my head is impenatrable in comparison. I remember trying to dry my head with a towel way back when and couldn't even move it with all the stuble grip. I'm comfortable with shaving my face at this point, but not so sure about not being able to see everything on my head.

Thanks in advance to all, Morgan.

I've been shaving my head for 20 yrs. but only the last 3 with a DE, I've tried with the straight razor but am not so confident with it. When I stop nicking my face with the straight maybe I'll try again. Personally I would stick with a DE. I usually run a finger just in front of the DE blade as a guide when shaving my head. After some time you just get to know your head. I can usually shave my face and head with a DE in 10 - 15 min. Great post, it'll be interesting to see the responses and techniques used. Who knows I might give it a go again, very very carefully. Good Luck!

Honestly, if you have thick head hair, I'd say to use a Mach3. I may get kicked off the forum for that, but I've watched a couple head shaving with a SR video's on youtube, and I don't have that sort of time, or interest. Another option would just be to get some electric clippers. It's quite nice of you to go to the efforts for your coworker btw. God bless.

If you headshave every day as I do,Headblade with cheap atra blades works great.

I also have this feeling that when I try to do it with a st8 that the back of my head will look like a weedeater went at it, not only missed spots, but slice and dice.

As far as the back of the head goes, you might be surprised at just how straightforward it is with a straight, particularly if you just go north to south. However, if your hair is very thick a single pass may not leave it as smooth as you would like it to be - perhaps a clean up with some sort of protected blade, at least in the early stages of learning to use the straight on your head, would be appropriate.

As for having thick hair, I cannot vouch for this from personal experience (being essentially bald on top) but I would think that is where the straight razor would really shine, particularly on the clogging issue that would surely plague the protected-blade razors. A properly honed straight, with proper shaving technique, will get through any hair no matter how thick IMO.

You mention you have seen some videos of head shaves on the web, so you may have already seen mine. But if you do a search on youtube for "Jimbosrp head shave" you'll find a video of me doing my headshave. It may give you some confidence, or at least some ideas on strategies to tackle the shave.

Good luck!

James.

Just watched your video, Nicely done. I will likely use a mixture of straight and modern razor to start with. Hopefully with time I can master it as well as your able to.

I'll agree that the sr8 razor works better on thicker hair than the BIC razor I used way back when. That's why I'm hopeing the sr8 will not hurt. Guess it comes down to that pressure thing, huh?

Thanks for all the input, I'll post pics when the time comes around .

Good for you to support your coworker! Until you are comfortable with a str8, I would suggest using a good DE for the head shaves.... Just a thought

I used straights for head shaves but they tend to loose there sharpness rather fast and therefore switched to Feather DX (straight with replaceable blades). The blade is much smaller and easier to maneuver around the head. You can't use any pressure with this razor at all but no matter how thick your hair is you will get a very good shave. Or you could use a Merkur Futur (adjustable DE).

I would start out with a cart and then move to DE. I personally used a cart for about 3 years before I switched to a Feather Personal. The cart provideds a much more trouble free faster shave then the DE and since you are getting back into it, I would go the easiest route first. Then proceed to the DE. I found the Feather personal to be the best headshaving razor I have ever used along with some fresh Feather blades.