Day 4 and got some goodies

[Scary Terry]

Friday was day 1 of my vacation, and the day I went Sly. I found this site on Saturday after I had shaved with my electric. I spent Saturday convinced that I needed to get a new electric because I was sure that I would cut/nick/bump up my dome otherwise. I spent Saturday evening and Sunday morning reading what you guys had to say on everything from razors to sunblock. Sunday I put a mach III which I have preferred for my face for years to my noggin for the first time ever. I got a couple of bumps that were gone by late last night. Went to my local Walgreens this morning. Thanks to you guys, I knew what I was looking for. To my surprise, they had a HB Sport and Headslick, so I decided I might as well try  the stuff recommended by so many Sly guys here early in my Sly life...I also picked up a couple of other goodies. So now, between what I already had here at home, and what I picked up today, I think I have pretty much what I need to go the rest of my 30 days.
If some of you more experienced Slyfestylers would check out my list and let me know if I missed anything, I would appreciate it.
Pre-shave: Axe and Softsoap orange peel exfoliating/moisterizing body washes, Neutrogena blackhead eliminating scrub. For shaving: Fusion Hydra gel, Headslick, Baby oil. Razors: Older Norelco wet/dry electric, Fusion Pro Glide, Mach III, Headblade. Post shave: Nivea for Men sensitive balm, Nivea for men sensitive lotion, Banana Boat for baby 50+ spf uvb/uva sunblock, and misc. hats, caps, bandanas, and headwraps collected through the years.

[Paul the Headblader]

hey.
congratz.
You've have it all, I've only got a blade, a shaving gel and cold water to rinse.
good luck

[nuts]

You'll be able to set up a head shaving shop!!

Looking good.

[BaldHDbiker]

Sounds like you have a pretty good list.

You may want to add some witch hazel to apply after the shave and rinse. It'll help sooth out the head and prevent rashes bumps etc.

[BBCESQ]

Sounds like you have a pretty good list.

You may want to add some witch hazel to apply after the shave and rinse. It'll help sooth out the head and prevent rashes bumps etc.

I agree. Witch Hazel is great and I also use Bump Patrol which really helps with my sensitive skin and I really love the "burn".

[Scary Terry]

I will pick up some witch hazel on my next trip...Thx
Got a comment and a question...This is absolutely the closest shave to date. I'm lovin it. The HB was a little tricky, and I got a couple of little nicks and bumps to prove it, but nuthin major.
Top and sides of my head smooth as a babys butt when I rub forward, backwards, all aroundwards.
However back of my head...when I rub down with the grain, very smooth...when I rub up against grain, not terrible nubs, but kinda fine sandpaper nubs.
Whats tha trick to gettin tha back of my head as smooth as top and sides?

[mrzed]

Generally a not completely smooth shave is from one of the following:

1. blade is dull. Takes more passes to get a really close shave when they are dull.

2. You went too fast over the area when shaving, thus missing some spots.

3. Due to cowlick, the hair grows in many directions. Against the grain thus must be in many directions.  Up down, left right, diagonals. Apply a little more oil or shave cream and repeat.

Then after all is done, and cream/gel/or lotions is on, feel for missed spots.  A few touch ups is OK at this point.  

If you prepping for a date with your wife or lady friend, you might want to be OCD about it. If it's a normal day, do your best, but don't fret over it.  Tomorrow is another day. You'll get the hang of it and smoother shaves will come your way on a more regular basis.

Oh, you did not list a shave brush in your list of equipment. While not a necessity, I find it very nice. You can save that for a 'day 30' gift to yourself, perhaps.

Mr. Z

[Scary Terry]

Thx Mr. Z....
Blades were brand new, so I'm gonna go with the multi-directional approach tomorrow when I shave.

[buddha]

I'm primarily a blade man, have been a devotee of HeadBlade and the Personna M5 Magnum but there are times when I need an electric due to cuts or time limits. The best one I've found is the Panasonic 8243K which is what they call a "Linear". This thing shaves pretty close to a blade in terms of smoothness. Simply Red is the big Pan Man in this forum and he's got some great reviews of a number of their products.
Not many of the walk-in places that I've found carry the Pans but you can go to the Panasonic Premium Store online and get some decent prices as opposed to ordering from some others. One caveat, though, is that they sell mostly "refurbished" units. I always had a hang-up about these until somebody told me that what I am getting is, in effect, a new razor with all the bugs worked out in advance. I have had my 8243 for several years and it still works like new.

[Scary Terry]

Thx...Buddha
I may get another electric for exactly the reasons you stated in your post.
Honestly, the first link I followed for a good electric( I forget the model, but it was a pan) listed the thing for $299...scared hell out of me...
The model you are recommending much closer to reality for me...maybe down the road a few weeks.
I think for now, I am going to concentrate on learning the art of the blades...If my learning nicks and bumps me too much, I can always use my Norelco until my dome is blade ready again.

[AgeTwentyTwoBaldy]

You have a solid plan going, Terry.

[Scary Terry]

Thx...
Today marks 5 days Sly...Third day shaving with blades, day two of HB...
Absolutely closest shave yet...we're talkin smooth, smooth, smooth...thanks to a tip from Mr Z yesterday.
One nick today, really just reopened a little nick from yesterday.
Gotta get me some witch hazel.

[mrzed]

My shave this morning was extra smooth.  I added one step. I did a final trim with a cheapy double blade from CVS.  It seemed to pick up the scraps that the hydro 5 seemed to miss. I'm guessing the two blades sit flatter on the head than the 5 blades and thus can handle curves better.  So HB first. Catch a few tougher spots with the Hydro 5 and once over with the twin blade for the final smoothness.

[Slyfive]

My shave this morning was extra smooth.  I added one step. I did a final trim with a cheapy double blade from CVS.  It seemed to pick up the scraps that the hydro 5 seemed to miss. I'm guessing the two blades sit flatter on the head than the 5 blades and thus can handle curves better.  So HB first. Catch a few tougher spots with the Hydro 5 and once over with the twin blade for the final smoothness.

3 runs over with different razors! That's commitment to a smooth dome Mr Z! And also excellent advice about shaving in all directions on the back, my hair goes pretty much every direction down there. And to you Mr Scary T, I find I have to pull the skin a bit tighter at the back when I shave to get really close.

[Scary Terry]

Mr Z...
Today I used HB, and caught tough spots with Mach 3..worked out well for me...
When I used to use the double blades on my face, I nicked myself far more often than when I started using triple blades...don't know if I want to use one on my head until I have a little more practice.