Thread: Greetings from Alabama!

Greetings from Alabama! Due to drawing the short straw in genetics and developing hair loss at the age of 25 I decided to shave my head off and leave the beard. After shaving my head with a Gillette fusion for a while I decided that I wanted to start using a straight razor for my neck and scalp. What's more manly than using a straight razor to shave your head? Anyhow, I ended up purchasing a beginners kit with a dovo blade from royal shave. RoyalShave Beginner 6 Piece Straight Razor Shaving Set | RoyalShave Does anyone know if the blade needs to be honed before use or not? I have used it twice and it goes grab, but that is probably due more to me being a beginner. Any tips are appreciated.

That blade is definitely not shave ready. "Factory Certified" from Dovo means that it has a bevel at best. At worst, it's an expensive pocket knife. If you're shaving your noggin, I'd send it off to get it honed immediately. I learned the hard way after shaving on a "factory edge" for 5 or 6 shaves and cutting the **** out of myself. Don't follow me.

Also, I'm a fellow Alabamian. I'm a gulf coast kid, myself, though obviously displaced. Welcome, and Roll Tide. From wherabouts are you hailing?

Originally Posted by DapperO

What's more manly than using a straight razor to shave your head?

Having a head to shave?
Seriously, I'd say start with your face. I won the SRP giveaway for October and shaved head and face with my very first SR (thanks again, donors!). My face got cut a bit, but the worst was my head. Oddly, the worst cuts were the parts I can see clearly...
I am not saying don't do it; I'm saying that you should get your practice in on something easier (your face) before tackling the dome. I plan to take the straight back to my dome (using a DE for now) once I can do my chin ATG with a straight with no nicks.
Sooo...before I get to wordy:
Definitely shave your head with a straight, but wait until you know how to use a straight at all first.
[/soapbox]

Thank you for the advice. I have already gave myself some nice nicks. I hail from Tuscaloosa. Born, raised, and educated at the University. Who might you recommend for professional honing?

Welcome to SRP

The customer review about the razor is very telling.

Andrew (Great Falls, MT)

The razor came sharp almost shaving sharp. I threw it on my stones and did only some quick honing and stropped it up and it works very well. I have had no problems with it...

Try looking through the Member Services section of the classifieds.

Jonathan

Hi and welcome. Get that razor sharpened and make a start but take it slow taking baby steps. Rushing equals blood loss and frustration.