Headshaving with straight razors

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10-23-2012, 05:05 PM
mumpig

Headshaving with straight razors

I've been shaving my head for a couple of decades but confess to continuing, at this point, to use my Oster 76 with a 000 blade a couple of times a week. Have yet to try it with one of my straights but I know others on this forum do so (A Headshavers first go with English steel). My questions to those of you who do so: How do you get to your neck and behind your ears? It all seems pretty risky without some kind of mirror set up so you can see the back of your head. How long does it take? Must be more of an event than shaving the face, which I do daily with a SR8. Looking for insights and info before I give it a try. Thanks
10-23-2012, 05:17 PM
pixelfixed

Headblade user here,But would never try with a straight:(
10-23-2012, 06:57 PM
mumpig

Thanks, Pixelfixed. Sounds like some incredibly good advice I should take. Do you use a DE then? With our without a way to visualize the back of your head?
10-23-2012, 07:02 PM
Birnando

It really is quite straight forward.
I tend to not use mirrors anymore, what I rely on is feel.

I simply bend my ears out, and shave slowly down towards it.
You will feel that the razors stops cutting well before hitting the actual earlobe back there, unless you have hair growth like a squirrel;)

So, in short, go slow and go shallow while relying on the feedback of your hands and skin on your head.
Good luck!
10-23-2012, 07:57 PM
Jimbo

I do as Birnando says. However, if you prefer a visual, here's a video of my headshave I did quite a few years ago now. It is not good quality, but it shows the process.

Straight Razor Head Shave - YouTube

Good luck!

James.
10-23-2012, 10:42 PM
robellison01

When I started head shaving with a straight I tried using a mirror. That lasted all of about 30 seconds. Everything is backwards, lol. Now I shave by feel. First time was nerve racking, btw.
12-22-2012, 10:51 AM
fcb2001

Headshaving with straight razors

The first time I shaved my head with a straight was nerve racking it took me about a month to get the hang of it when ever I'm not traveling I shave my head everyday with either a my teakwood or a feather III I've been shaving the head with a straight for 4 years it gives me a much better shave than the head blade or the cart ledge razors that are on the market. I'm 100 percent sold on shaving my head with a straight
12-22-2012, 02:23 PM
mainaman

Quote:

Originally Posted by mumpig

Thanks, Pixelfixed. Sounds like some incredibly good advice I should take. Do you use a DE then? With our without a way to visualize the back of your head?

there are many people here that shave heads with straight not a big deal just need to be careful and should get the hang of it pretty soon.
12-22-2012, 02:26 PM
mainaman

Quote:

Originally Posted by mumpig

Thanks, Pixelfixed. Sounds like some incredibly good advice I should take. Do you use a DE then? With our without a way to visualize the back of your head?

there are many people here that shave heads with straight not a big deal just need to be careful and should get the hang of it pretty soon.
12-22-2012, 02:38 PM
Trimmy72

I've been shaving my head for the past 15-20 yrs. first with a Mach3 then a fusion, now I use a DE every day. I have tried a straight on the sides and have decided I like the way my head looks :). Until I stop nicking my head with a DE (rarely happens) it's all good. I must admit it would be cool to shave my head with a straight, and would love to keep trying, but I still struggle around my neck/adams apple area with a straight getting BBS . I think what stops me is my honing technique on my straights, I hear of buttery smooth edges and hairs just jumping out of the way and I have yet to achieve that, so until then I'll stick to my DE. I am thinking about a Feather AC SS, that might get me a jump start on head shaving with a straight, at least the edges should be dependable.
01-15-2013, 02:01 PM
fcb2001

Headshaving with straight razors

I know it is hard I haven't cut myself in 2 years i go really slow I do about four passes two with the grain and two against the grain in all with relathering it takes me about 45 minutes to shave my head and I do it everyday I won't do DEs or shavettes orcartlidge but when I travel I go to a barbershop for one barbershop shave i will be gone for more than three days three days is the longest I will go without a shave
01-15-2013, 02:02 PM
fcb2001

Headshaving with straight razors

Quote:

Originally Posted by mainaman

there are many people here that shave heads with straight not a big deal just need to be careful and should get the hang of it pretty soon.

Agreed i go really slow and careful