I am considering shaving my head bald I am curious as what you experienced guys do what are your methods?
Several of us here shave our heads. I'd first suggest reading through the guide I wrote for TSD. Erik's Guide to the new Head Shaver I love having a shaved head, but it's not for everyone.
Depending on how long your hair is, you probably would do well to clipper it down before taking a razor to it. I'd recommend you start with a double edge. Less aggressive is better (a Gillette Slim Adjustable set to a low number or a Tech would work well.) I normally start from the back of my neck and work forward and do two passes back to front and on front to back. Afterwards, I just kind of feel around for stubbly areas and touch them up. All the standard technique tips apply (very little pressure, good sharp blade, etc.) for post shave I just use whatever I'm using on my face that day. Once you get the hang of it, you can transition to more aggressive razors. Some brave souls even use straights and shavettes. Although, I've not gotten that bold just yet. I can tell you though that a 1912 Gem or Lather Catcher is a damn fine dome shave,
If you have never shaved your head before. I would recommend a cartridge razor. I still use a Mach 3 for my noggin. I occasionally dabble with a Headblade w/ Atra II cartridges (still working on that one). I haven't mastered the art of DE's yet so I have not went there. But my recommendation would be to go new school before you consider old school. The newer razors (Mach 3, Fusion, Hydro) are just more forgiving to those unseen bumps on the back of your skull. Ask me how I know
probarber Heh just a quick note: I shave quite a few guys in my shop every week and i have tried everything i can think of to make the shave more comfortable for my customers. This is what I use every day.... And so far results in the best outcome. A pair of balding clippers(wahl) to get it down if there is significant growth,Noxema or a house brand of this type of product. A hot towel... wet a towel and put in Microwave 1.5 min. I then shave with a half of a merkur blade held in a devise that makes this into a straight type razor...I don't recommend this to you as a cut is very easy to do if you are not experienced with a straight type razor. I would just use a fusion if I were you. After the noxema I use a light coating of shave gel on the skin and finish with water and the fusion to get it all. Followed with pure coco butter and another hot towel and a masage of the scalp with a hand vibrating massager made by oster.I charge 15.00 and always get a 20 or better for this. And it is worrth every penny of it!!! Eliminate what does not apply and I think this will help!!!! RJ
I use a headblade works great. Occasionally I use a Braun electric which does a decent job, not as good as the Headblade though.
I used a fusion til I got my new Progress. I think the fusion works well with "kings of Shaves" oil. The pivoting head is especially helpful in the back just above the neck. Thats the hardest place for me to get clean. I have a mild burn going on now from the learning curve of a Merkur Progress and Merkur ss blades. I tried dollar store blades but took it out after 2 passes. Just not sharp enough for me. I have some feathers on order and am contemplating Kai's and Iridiums next. The Nivea Post Shave lotion adds moisture and helps sooth about the same as the green Aloe gel. I go against the grain for all areas and it stays babys bottom smooth for about 4 hours and feels like 80 grit sandpaper in any direction after 24 hours.
During the warm weather months I shave my head smooth using my Braun Syncro Shaver. I use a preshave powder stick before hand and I never feel any razor burn afterwards. And my melon is bbs. Clayton
I think it really depends on how thick your remaining hair cover is...I've got the classic male pattern baldness and have shaved my head for the best part of the last 15yrs...which is pretty sad as I'm only 36.....oh well. Anyway I always pend to just use hairclippers with no blade cover on them - so as short as they can go. A few times a year I'll forget how much of a hassle it was last time around to actually wetshave my head and do this but as my hair is still pretty thick at the back of my head its a real PITA. I mean it feels great when its done but its a really tough job to do and while the results are well worth the extra effort on the ole face I can't say I find it the same on the head...but for others I'm sure its a lot easier and so well worthwhile.
I stopped shaving the noggin about 2 months ago. I loved the Headblade and the Personna atra carts, but since there non existent in my area now I stopped. The Wallyworld Wilkinson version just isn't as sharp and I won't pay $10 for the same blade under another name
I've actually been using a tech with a lord or feather for my head. The first few runs at it were less then desireable but as of late I've honed in and really enjoy the combo. Works quick in the shower and leaves a nice smooth dome.
I grow hair during the Fall and Winter but stay shaved bald during the Spring and Summer. For the first shave of the Summer, I use clippers to knock all the hair down. Then I take a good hot shower. Then I lather my head using my brush, load a fresh blade into my Gillette old type, and shave, shave, shave! I've got one of those extend-able mirrors on the wall behind me and it's great for being able to see the back.
How I started First: I have a set of clippers, which I used to get the hair to a very short length. Second: I used my rotary razor to get even closer to prevent any snags from stray hair that would be too long. (This reduced the possibility of cutting my head the first time with the blade) Third: I used a Trac II to finish the job. From that point on I have used a Trac II (sometimes a DE) daily to keep it shaved (totally bald). I hope this helps.
Use a clipper , then alot of cream and a non agressive blade . Dont forget that the skin there is not "used" to blades so very easy& slow. GoodLuck
I shaved my head for a few weeks to try it out. I liked it, but it turns out it wasn't for me. OK, I started out with shaving the noggin for the first time with a GEM Featherweight and went through 4 blades, I thought they were getting dull, but the razor was clogging. Live and learn. From there I moved to an OCMM and loved that razor for the head, it did a fantastic job. On head shave day I used my largest brush, a Rooney 3/1 and lathered the head up with the lather of the day. I found that it all works fine, except for Head slick. I didn't care for that at all. Yeah, I know others love the stuff. YMMV. I was getting a few head shaves out of a SE blade. I did try a few DE razors and didn't like them as much as the OCMM.
I love my head being shaved! I use whatever I use for my face for the day. Rotate between Gillette Red Tip, Gillette Fatboy, Schick adjustable. And just about any blade will do a good job for me as well. I use my brush and my CO Bigilow to lather up with. Can't imagine having hair now.
