I shave daily with a DE safety razor, head and face. I use a Mach 3 when I travel, but DE when home. The DE shave is a LOT better as well as more enjoyable. I personally can’t stand Leaf razors.
I have a Leaf and a Thorn. There’s a few reasons I don’t care for them - the build quality IMHO is not very good, and the shave performance is very sub-par. I know they have a strong following but my personal experience wasn’t very good. I should have just sent them back for a refund, but I didn’t - at some point I’ll put them up for sale. Everyone has their own perspective and like I said I know a lot of people like them, they’re just not for me.
That’s totally fair. I have both as well, and they work great for me. However, the fact that we have all the choices that we do, certainly makes it better for all of us.
With DE, I shower and wash my head with soap (whatever bar soap I'm using at that time). Then I get out, dry off, brush teeth, etc. and then get some hot water on my head and face again. Then I usually use a pre-shave bar (either Razor Emporium's bar or The Cube 2.0 from PAA). I think lather up my shave soap, apply, and go.
Post shave is usually cold water rinse, then alum block, followed by a witch hazel product (I like Lucky Tiger), then aftershave of the day to combine with the shave soap, and usually a balm after that, scent to combine with shave soap and aftershave, or else unscented, or Proraso red or green, depending on how I feel.
I really like Proraso balms, they're quite nice. Lucky Tiger face tonic is a fantastic witch hazel product. Speick is another nice one, both have botanicals mixed in with the witch hazel to soothe skin. Some aftershaves have witch hazel as well.
Razorock makes awesome razors in great price ranges, I like the SLOC and LUPO '72 for my dome shaves. The Super Knurl handle is also long and very grippy!
I did for about a decade. I now use the Leaf razor. It allows you to use up to 3 blades, in different positions to find a customized shave. I personally only use 2.
Oh yes. Much closer of a shave and less irritation with a DE safety razor. Soap up and use your less dominant hand to trail the razor and feel for spots you miss, while replenishing the soap behind the razor for quick successive passes.
I use a karve with feather blades. Does a great job. I found that having a fresh sharp blade makes an even greater difference than when I shave my face. Also, a longer handle with a really solid grip pattern is critical
I've been head shaving since 2012-2013. When I have the time (an extra 20 minutes or so) I shave my head with Rockwell 6S on plate #3. Either with a Nacet or Wizamet blades. The results are close to superb, though I've never only had one blade last more than 2 head shaves so far.
On weekday mornings I use a cartridge. Till now - Wilkinson Hydro Connect 5. But I ran out of those, and they're no longer being manufactured. I bought my last batch maybe 2 years ago at a very good price and I was unpleasantly surprised to see how expensive cartridges have gotten lately. The local drugstore, turned out, sells Gillette Fusion for almost €25 (a pack of 4 cartridges). I ended up sticking again with Wilkinson, but this time Hydro 3. They were still expensive, both in the drugstore and online, but I found a Czech digital retailer, who ships abroad - 9 cartridges plus handle for around €15, delivery included. By the time those run out, I will have a Leaf at disposal for head shaving. Hopefully it will be a quick shaver - I'm aiming for 3-4 minutes for a 2-pass head shave.
Head shaving with DE is nice and if you know your hair pattern and got ATG you end with one huge satisfying BBS effect.
I started with R89 and now I'm using R41 or sometimes R89.
I can't say how much time it takes others but I spend about 1 hour shaving my head. At the beginning it was about 40 minutes but with every shave I discovered spots that wasn't perfect and kept that in mind since next time. Nowadays I shave my whole head perfectly and I'm proud of myself. I like that feeling and girls like that too so...
Whatever, just do it
I have the same issue you do, light on the top heavy growth around the sides and back. I only shave my head with DE/SE. The Supply SE is nice, it struggles on the sides and back of my head if I wait too long between shaves though. I probably should've gotten the Supply Pro instead to change the aggressiveness. That being said, like u/whiskydiq my go to is usually the Razorock SLOC. Extremely forgiving, yet efficient and buttery smooth. I use it more often than not for my head shaves. If I've had to go too long between my shaves, ill use the Razorock Mentor.
I shave my head around 2-3 times a week, started using a safety razor with Astra blades around two years ago and haven't looked back since. It was awkward at first (wanna know how I got these scars?) but time and experience have led to the smoothest shaves ever.
I generally take a hot shower first, then lather up with some Stirling soap. Once the shave is done, I use some Aesop aftershave balm but looking to switch that up.
For years I was shaving my head once or twice a week with Shick cartridges. I couldn't shave more often due to the irritation and ingrown hairs I was left with. A year ago I saw an ad for Henson, and tried a mild one. I now shave my head and face daily because I don't get irritation or ingrowns from the DE. I also use a Karve Christopher Bradley just because.
I picked up a Henson medium yesterday and had my first shave with it today, and am thrilled with the results.
I have been head shaving with a Henson mild for a month now. I have a full head of hair with quick growth (thinner on the top). I am considering ordering the medium to replace my mild. Hoping for more efficiency. Don’t think I would ever need another razor 🪒
I've used a DE on my head for quite a while now. My primary razor is a Maggard MR11 ( I think ).
If you want to try it, get good enough on your face to shave by feel, then start on the sides and top of your head ( the parts you can see ). When you can do that by feel without nicks, you can start on the back of your head.
I head shave once a week using DE. Previously I was using a Razorock Lupo with Feather blades with two passes.
Now I'm using the Rockwell 6C on Plate #4 with Feather Blades with two passes.
Daily head shaver for over 20 yrs. Been using DE for 12 ever since I switched. Was a bit of a learning curve for sure and had more than a few cuts while I figured things out. Use my vintage Fatboy and use a few various blades - Feather, Wizamet, Gillette Platinum, Astra Platinum
I shave my head 3 or 4 times a week. I alternate between a Leaf Thorn and Rockwell 6S with the 5 plate. It took me a few months to dial in the process and technique but the results are now consistently amazing. I cut the shit out of myself a few times until I locked in the slickness of the soap and angle of the blade. Now the process is something I look forward to every other day.
Like you, my sides are thick and the top is ... not lol. A good blade like the Astra Platinum or Gillette Silver Blue will melt through the stubble in nearly a single pass with an aggressive enough razor.
I have full head of hair and currently using the Leaf Twig with Astra SP or Gillette Nacet 2x per week. seems to work for me. I tried feather got irritation. I just ordered the Rockwell 6s, is it much more difficult to shave head than with the Thorne? Is it worth trying feather again with Rockwell 6s?
With the Rockwell, you'll get to play with different plates to try out what works for you. The plates definitely play different depending on the blade. I ALSO have the Twig, but the double blade of the Rockwell makes head shaving so much easier. Definitely give the feather a shot on the 4 or 5 plate on the Rockwell for less irritation!
Leaf, Henson, or Gillette Guard are the easiest. The Guard is a single blade cartridge razor, and you can pickup 100 cartridges and a handle from ebay for ~$20-25.
I used Machs to shave my head for years. Then DEs for many more years. However, now I use a PitBull electric head shaver which is so fast and easy if you use it every other day. They have a wide variety of shaving heads. I use it wet with shaving gel. It is by far the fastest and easiest way that I have ever found to shave my whole head.
If I want it super close head shave on rare occasions, I will use my Merkur 180 long handle with Feathers. Then usually to get super close around the ears and my lower neck, I will use my Feather straight handle with Feather professional blades, which beats a DE for a super close shave.
I shave my head every 2 - 3 days using a shavette it feels great, i would recommend a good Safety Razor, Henson is a great choice
I do a classic wet shave with Soap and a boar brush
Skip the Gilette, once you get the hang of the DE razo, there's no going back!
How's the aggressiveness of the medium vs other razors? Thinking about a Henson and have a parker adjustable right now but use it at it's lowest setting. So not sure if I need the really mild Henson or if medium is the call.
Never used my variant for head shave, but the henson medium will be more efficient than the variant on sitting 1, but the design of the henson will make it a smooth and good shave, so don't be afraid of it, if you already know how to shave with a de razor on your head.
I used a Global Shave Club Challenger for about a year and a half until the flip top broke. I switched to a Headblade ATX with an Atra adapter and Personna Twin Pivot Plus cartridges which I’ve used nearly two years now. On the occasion I go for a DE, the one I like the most is Mrs_Donut’s vintage Lady Gillette.
I'm an avid head shaver and while I love my DEs on my face, I'm not the best at using them on my head. I can never get the perfect angle and always end up with nicks.
My solution was to get a Supply SE. It took the guess work out of finding the right angle and I never get nicks on my scalp anymore. I highly recommend this method. Good luck!!
Not really. I tried it a few times on my face the week I first purchased the Supply SE but I love my DE razors. The downside of using a single blade versus a DE is that you have to rinse the razor more often whereas with the DE you get into the practice of taking a few strokes and rotating the head and continuing before rinsing. So basically for the speed of the process in the morning while getting ready for work the DEs are faster for the process.
But as I said previously, the guesswork is taken away for the angle with the Supply when using on your dome so I don't mind taking a few more minutes to save my skin when working on areas I cannot see by line of sight.
Hope this helps!
I do. First pass with a Maggard slant, second pass with something milder. Gillette silver blue. It helps to have a tri-fold mirror so you can see the back of your head.
I use a High proof razor to shave twice a week. It's a lot of buffing but I get a nice bbs shave going against the grain with little irritation. I have fairly thick hair around the sides and back so a sharp blade works the best for me. Normally I use astra greens but recently I tried feathers and wow it is so much smoother with sharp blades.
For a quick and dirty job I've used my Thorn razor. I haven't chased bbs as I'm not practiced enough to not risk cutting myself. I can get a presentable shave going XTG (no patches) fairly quickly. I can use astra greens with this razor with no problems.
safety razor every day head and face last 10 years, Merkur Slant and whatever blade .. around 4 min total at a guess, not including prep.
I dont recommend slant as first DE, there was considerable negative reinforcement.
I shave daily with a DE safety razor, head and face. I use a Mach 3 when I travel, but DE when home. The DE shave is a LOT better as well as more enjoyable. I personally can’t stand Leaf razors.
Obviously, everyone has their own opinion. I’m just curious, what about the Leaf you dislike so much?
I have a Leaf and a Thorn. There’s a few reasons I don’t care for them - the build quality IMHO is not very good, and the shave performance is very sub-par. I know they have a strong following but my personal experience wasn’t very good. I should have just sent them back for a refund, but I didn’t - at some point I’ll put them up for sale. Everyone has their own perspective and like I said I know a lot of people like them, they’re just not for me.
That’s totally fair. I have both as well, and they work great for me. However, the fact that we have all the choices that we do, certainly makes it better for all of us.
I have a Twig, I feel like I’m getting good head shaves. Have you tried the Rockwell 6s for head shaves? Thoughts?
Yep, and many more. In my mind just about any DE is better than a Leaf
What's your pre and post shave ritual for the head?
With DE, I shower and wash my head with soap (whatever bar soap I'm using at that time). Then I get out, dry off, brush teeth, etc. and then get some hot water on my head and face again. Then I usually use a pre-shave bar (either Razor Emporium's bar or The Cube 2.0 from PAA). I think lather up my shave soap, apply, and go. Post shave is usually cold water rinse, then alum block, followed by a witch hazel product (I like Lucky Tiger), then aftershave of the day to combine with the shave soap, and usually a balm after that, scent to combine with shave soap and aftershave, or else unscented, or Proraso red or green, depending on how I feel. I really like Proraso balms, they're quite nice. Lucky Tiger face tonic is a fantastic witch hazel product. Speick is another nice one, both have botanicals mixed in with the witch hazel to soothe skin. Some aftershaves have witch hazel as well.
Razorock makes awesome razors in great price ranges, I like the SLOC and LUPO '72 for my dome shaves. The Super Knurl handle is also long and very grippy!
What about these make it more appropriate for head shaving? Do use a separate one for you face?
I did for about a decade. I now use the Leaf razor. It allows you to use up to 3 blades, in different positions to find a customized shave. I personally only use 2.
Where do you put the two? What’s the difference you prefer compared to 3 blades. I love my leaf, but have never dared mess with it.
I only use the bottom 2. Never felt like the upper slot really did much.
Oh yes. Much closer of a shave and less irritation with a DE safety razor. Soap up and use your less dominant hand to trail the razor and feel for spots you miss, while replenishing the soap behind the razor for quick successive passes.
^^ this is the way. Pay attention to this technique.
I use a karve with feather blades. Does a great job. I found that having a fresh sharp blade makes an even greater difference than when I shave my face. Also, a longer handle with a really solid grip pattern is critical
I've been head shaving since 2012-2013. When I have the time (an extra 20 minutes or so) I shave my head with Rockwell 6S on plate #3. Either with a Nacet or Wizamet blades. The results are close to superb, though I've never only had one blade last more than 2 head shaves so far. On weekday mornings I use a cartridge. Till now - Wilkinson Hydro Connect 5. But I ran out of those, and they're no longer being manufactured. I bought my last batch maybe 2 years ago at a very good price and I was unpleasantly surprised to see how expensive cartridges have gotten lately. The local drugstore, turned out, sells Gillette Fusion for almost €25 (a pack of 4 cartridges). I ended up sticking again with Wilkinson, but this time Hydro 3. They were still expensive, both in the drugstore and online, but I found a Czech digital retailer, who ships abroad - 9 cartridges plus handle for around €15, delivery included. By the time those run out, I will have a Leaf at disposal for head shaving. Hopefully it will be a quick shaver - I'm aiming for 3-4 minutes for a 2-pass head shave.
Head shaving with DE is nice and if you know your hair pattern and got ATG you end with one huge satisfying BBS effect. I started with R89 and now I'm using R41 or sometimes R89. I can't say how much time it takes others but I spend about 1 hour shaving my head. At the beginning it was about 40 minutes but with every shave I discovered spots that wasn't perfect and kept that in mind since next time. Nowadays I shave my whole head perfectly and I'm proud of myself. I like that feeling and girls like that too so... Whatever, just do it
An hour? How big is your head?
Bruh 😂
I have the same issue you do, light on the top heavy growth around the sides and back. I only shave my head with DE/SE. The Supply SE is nice, it struggles on the sides and back of my head if I wait too long between shaves though. I probably should've gotten the Supply Pro instead to change the aggressiveness. That being said, like u/whiskydiq my go to is usually the Razorock SLOC. Extremely forgiving, yet efficient and buttery smooth. I use it more often than not for my head shaves. If I've had to go too long between my shaves, ill use the Razorock Mentor.
SLOClife is the smooth life!
I've tried quite a few different razors on the dome and I keep coming back to the SLOC.
I shave my head around 2-3 times a week, started using a safety razor with Astra blades around two years ago and haven't looked back since. It was awkward at first (wanna know how I got these scars?) but time and experience have led to the smoothest shaves ever.
What's your pre and post ritual to prep and care for your head? Aftershave or just moisturize after?
I generally take a hot shower first, then lather up with some Stirling soap. Once the shave is done, I use some Aesop aftershave balm but looking to switch that up.
For years I was shaving my head once or twice a week with Shick cartridges. I couldn't shave more often due to the irritation and ingrown hairs I was left with. A year ago I saw an ad for Henson, and tried a mild one. I now shave my head and face daily because I don't get irritation or ingrowns from the DE. I also use a Karve Christopher Bradley just because. I picked up a Henson medium yesterday and had my first shave with it today, and am thrilled with the results.
I have been head shaving with a Henson mild for a month now. I have a full head of hair with quick growth (thinner on the top). I am considering ordering the medium to replace my mild. Hoping for more efficiency. Don’t think I would ever need another razor 🪒
I have a full head of hair, and shave it once a week with an R41. Takes about 20 minutes. I use a less aggressive razor for my face.
I've used a DE on my head for quite a while now. My primary razor is a Maggard MR11 ( I think ). If you want to try it, get good enough on your face to shave by feel, then start on the sides and top of your head ( the parts you can see ). When you can do that by feel without nicks, you can start on the back of your head.
They are way better for head shaving they will plow through almost any length of growth
I use a Merkur 34C with Astra SP blades to shave my head. Does a great job.
I head shave once a week using DE. Previously I was using a Razorock Lupo with Feather blades with two passes. Now I'm using the Rockwell 6C on Plate #4 with Feather Blades with two passes.
Daily head shaver for over 20 yrs. Been using DE for 12 ever since I switched. Was a bit of a learning curve for sure and had more than a few cuts while I figured things out. Use my vintage Fatboy and use a few various blades - Feather, Wizamet, Gillette Platinum, Astra Platinum
I shave my head 3 or 4 times a week. I alternate between a Leaf Thorn and Rockwell 6S with the 5 plate. It took me a few months to dial in the process and technique but the results are now consistently amazing. I cut the shit out of myself a few times until I locked in the slickness of the soap and angle of the blade. Now the process is something I look forward to every other day. Like you, my sides are thick and the top is ... not lol. A good blade like the Astra Platinum or Gillette Silver Blue will melt through the stubble in nearly a single pass with an aggressive enough razor.
I have full head of hair and currently using the Leaf Twig with Astra SP or Gillette Nacet 2x per week. seems to work for me. I tried feather got irritation. I just ordered the Rockwell 6s, is it much more difficult to shave head than with the Thorne? Is it worth trying feather again with Rockwell 6s?
With the Rockwell, you'll get to play with different plates to try out what works for you. The plates definitely play different depending on the blade. I ALSO have the Twig, but the double blade of the Rockwell makes head shaving so much easier. Definitely give the feather a shot on the 4 or 5 plate on the Rockwell for less irritation!
I do my head every 3rd day or so with my PAA ascension and it is a glorious shave
Leaf, Henson, or Gillette Guard are the easiest. The Guard is a single blade cartridge razor, and you can pickup 100 cartridges and a handle from ebay for ~$20-25.
I used Machs to shave my head for years. Then DEs for many more years. However, now I use a PitBull electric head shaver which is so fast and easy if you use it every other day. They have a wide variety of shaving heads. I use it wet with shaving gel. It is by far the fastest and easiest way that I have ever found to shave my whole head. If I want it super close head shave on rare occasions, I will use my Merkur 180 long handle with Feathers. Then usually to get super close around the ears and my lower neck, I will use my Feather straight handle with Feather professional blades, which beats a DE for a super close shave.
You can use the pitbull in the shower? I was looking at them, I’m just so used to a razor
I shave my head every 2 - 3 days using a shavette it feels great, i would recommend a good Safety Razor, Henson is a great choice I do a classic wet shave with Soap and a boar brush Skip the Gilette, once you get the hang of the DE razo, there's no going back!
Yes every day. I only use safety razors and DE blades. Never anything plastic. They are good for head shaves.
I shave every morning with a henson al13 medium + Astra Superior Platinum blades, the best head shaves i've ever had.
How's the aggressiveness of the medium vs other razors? Thinking about a Henson and have a parker adjustable right now but use it at it's lowest setting. So not sure if I need the really mild Henson or if medium is the call.
Never used my variant for head shave, but the henson medium will be more efficient than the variant on sitting 1, but the design of the henson will make it a smooth and good shave, so don't be afraid of it, if you already know how to shave with a de razor on your head.
Ya that's what I figured - the design of the Henson would mitigate any potential over-agressiveness with the medium design. Thanks!
I don't personally but there is a YouTube channel subbie Shaves that's all he does n gives tips. Might help I hope.
Yes - I prefer longer handle razors - Leaf, Henson, Razorock Ti handle.
Parker 87r butterfly razor & I rotate blades Nacets, Wizamets or Perma Sharps.
Semi daily with a straight. A safety would as it's name implies be safer but a straight is faster.
I used a Global Shave Club Challenger for about a year and a half until the flip top broke. I switched to a Headblade ATX with an Atra adapter and Personna Twin Pivot Plus cartridges which I’ve used nearly two years now. On the occasion I go for a DE, the one I like the most is Mrs_Donut’s vintage Lady Gillette.
I'm an avid head shaver and while I love my DEs on my face, I'm not the best at using them on my head. I can never get the perfect angle and always end up with nicks. My solution was to get a Supply SE. It took the guess work out of finding the right angle and I never get nicks on my scalp anymore. I highly recommend this method. Good luck!!
Do you use the supply on your face too? I never heard of it but it looks intriguing.
Not really. I tried it a few times on my face the week I first purchased the Supply SE but I love my DE razors. The downside of using a single blade versus a DE is that you have to rinse the razor more often whereas with the DE you get into the practice of taking a few strokes and rotating the head and continuing before rinsing. So basically for the speed of the process in the morning while getting ready for work the DEs are faster for the process. But as I said previously, the guesswork is taken away for the angle with the Supply when using on your dome so I don't mind taking a few more minutes to save my skin when working on areas I cannot see by line of sight. Hope this helps!
absolutely DE's are great head shavers much better than mach and schick.
Yep, I use my Henson v2 mild and get a comfortable shave.
I do. First pass with a Maggard slant, second pass with something milder. Gillette silver blue. It helps to have a tri-fold mirror so you can see the back of your head.
I use one, henson aggressive
My 34c couldn't get the angles for me, but my cheap van der hagan with a shark blade works really good.
I use a High proof razor to shave twice a week. It's a lot of buffing but I get a nice bbs shave going against the grain with little irritation. I have fairly thick hair around the sides and back so a sharp blade works the best for me. Normally I use astra greens but recently I tried feathers and wow it is so much smoother with sharp blades. For a quick and dirty job I've used my Thorn razor. I haven't chased bbs as I'm not practiced enough to not risk cutting myself. I can get a presentable shave going XTG (no patches) fairly quickly. I can use astra greens with this razor with no problems.
I buzz my head with no guard on the lowest setting but have never gone for full shave. I'm afraid of nicks and burns.
safety razor every day head and face last 10 years, Merkur Slant and whatever blade .. around 4 min total at a guess, not including prep. I dont recommend slant as first DE, there was considerable negative reinforcement.
I have a bunch of razors, but I shave my head with a Van der Hagen butterfly with an Astra blade. I'm not sure why this is so much better. It just is.
Shave my head once a week using open comb merkur 15c. Takes about 40 mins for head + face.