Getting the hang of HeadBlade

[PigPen]

I decided to try with the grain, then against the grain using the HB. I have to retrain myself, but I enjoy the results quite a bit more.

[Paul]

What seems to be the benefit of the with then against the grain thing?  I would think there would be more irritation. 

[PigPen]

Not sure, but I love it

[Paul]

Worth giving it a try tomorrow.  Anything to get rid of the bumps.

[Sgt. Pate]

What seems to be the benefit of the with then against the grain thing?  I would think there would be more irritation. 

Against the grain stands the hair up for a closer shave.  It pulls a little as well and for some is irratating.   

[Beer Barron]

What seems to be the benefit of the with then against the grain thing?  I would think there would be more irritation. 

For me, one pass with the grain gets the hair close and the second pass against the grain gives me that final slickness.  Since the hair is already cut down, there is less pull and less irritation.

[KALBO]

What seems to be the benefit of the with then against the grain thing?  I would think there would be more irritation. 

For me, one pass with the grain gets the hair close and the second pass against the grain gives me that final slickness.  Since the hair is already cut down, there is less pull and less irritation.

Pretty much the same routine for me, first time I've gotten the benefit from my thin hair(well, stubble now)...very easy to shave with no irritation.

[Deadbob]

I always had problems with the HB.. While yes it did get close, I could never get as close of a shave as my sensor (to cheep to buy the Mach 3).

Well, a few weeks ago I found a HB adapter for the sensor blades... I have not looked back since.

for the most part, I shave with the grain & call it a day. If I'm going out, or need to "dress up" I shave against the grain.

For the sides of my head, I too have to shave up[ from the ear. So, I flip the blade around and use the HB as a normal razor.

[jusbnme]

What seems to be the benefit of the with then against the grain thing?  I would think there would be more irritation. 

Yeah, for me there is more irritation against the grain but not too much that is noticeable.  When I first started using the HB I would only go with the grain and I never had irritation.  Plus I'm done in a lot less time then trying to go against the grain.  But I just love that smooth dome feeling, you know.  I actually have went back to shaving with the grain because it does keep irritation down especially on the back of the neck.  Plus I asked my wife's opinion about how it looked vs. with the grain.  She said she couldn't even tell a difference because the HB cuts so smooth even with the grain.  The only way I can tell a difference is if I run my hand across the dome. 

[Stu]

Lance, I agree with your wife.  A casual observer would never know that your melon isn't completely smooth, but I have to be in an extreme hurry in the mornings for me to not go both ways and be completely smooth.  I just like the feel.

[schro]

Although I may use the Schick Extreme 3 for some minor touch up around the ears, the HeadBlade is my weapon of choice for shaving the dome. And when I say touch up, it's usually just above the ears. I get most everything around the ears with the HB by just flipping it around and going back to front. When I do that, I'll use the other hand and bend my ear down so I don't nick it (ears seem to bleed forever).

[mikesj]

HB definitely has a bit of learning curve, but now that I have the hang of it I wouldn't go back to the Mach 3 (except for some touchups around the ears).Doing shower shaves only now.  I put a layer of Hot Six oil on my wet head, then some HB Head Slick. Long strokes with the grain and then against the grain. Goes real fast and smooth. No nicks.  Still a little awkward switching hands for sides....end up using mostly right hand, even on left side.

[tsshaver1]

Still a little awkward switching hands for sides....end up using mostly right hand, even on left side.

I had a pretty short learning curve with the head blade but I have always used my right hand exclusively with it. I really believe that the hand switching is the downfall for a lot of guys in getting the hang of it. Most of us simply aren't ambidextrous

[champ007]

Because of all the posts and research I did, I started with the headblade. Seeing shaving my head was a learning curve anyway, I figured I'd also learn with a product intended for my head. I must say by the 3rd day I was shaving with confidence, mainly because the numbness wasn't as strong and I wasn't worried that I was fileting my scalp! So I would suggest for anyone just starting to start with the headblade. It's a great product that does what it is meant to. 

[NiQ41]

HEADBALDE RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!