Introduction + Question

[Mojo Risin]

(First of all, sorry for my english, french is my first language so bare with me hah)

I can't say I'm a new member here since I've been lurking around ... but I never really introduced myself to the community.
I'm 22 years old and I've been losing my hair since I'm 20. Honestly, it was really tough to go through ... I couldn't accept the fact that I was going bald before my 30s !
I suffered from a major depression that lasted pretty much 1 year and to be honest, this website really helped me when I was struggling. I couldn't look at myself in the mirror without being disgusted. I had no self esteem left whatsoever.

I was weighting around 120 lbs, pale skin and I was going bald ... hooray ...

But then one night I decided I had nothing left and took the plunge of shaving my head. And honestly, it woke me up. It didn't look so bad ! In a couple months, I took 40 extra lbs by working out, went outside to get some tan ... and today I can say I look pretty boss. I didn't fall into the Propecia/Minoxide/Snake Oils trap ! It took a while, I had to work on myself ... but I finally can look at myself in the mirror and be proud of what I see.

So I would like to thank you guys for making this great community. In a way, you saved my life. You all have such a positive attitude ! It made me realize that I wasn't the only one losing my hair at such a young age and that it wasn't the end of the world.

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Now, for my question : I have to shave my hair with an electric razor with no guard right now because I'm a student and I can't really afford Headblade and monthly supply of equipment ... maybe in the near future.

But does it really make a difference ? I mean, do you save time with a Headblade ?

[erikwillke]

Firstly, There's nothing wrong with your English.  Very well spoken.

Secondly,Welcome and thank you for sharing your story and kudos for persevering.

Just my personal opinion but I think the headblade is a waste of money.  That could also be that I almost scalped myself with one once.  There are several ways to shave.  Some guys can get by with a two bladed bic razor.  Most use a three blade like Mach III.  For the same reason you can use a store brand three blade but results will vary. Some insane souls on here are brave enough to use a DE (double edged safety razor) with varying rates of success.  If that approach works for you then that is by far the most cost effective way.  I think I paid $7 USD for a 10 pack of blades that I still have.  I use the DE on my face.  The key to any razor though is to clean it and dry it thoroughly.  Cutting hair does not dull a blade, water does.  There's a money guy on the radio named Clark Howard that uses a single disposable razor for a year!  Allow me to explain.

The only way to dull a blade is to deform it.  Since hair is not stronger then metal it won't do that.  What happens is water left on a blade will cause oxidation and pitting.  The area of the blade that is most succeptable(sp?) to this is the very edge because it's **cough** razor thin.  When it pits it changes the physical shape of the blade.  This is what causes irritation.  Sometimes if you dry shave the hair is as strong as metal and will roll the edge over and simply make it dull.

The trick is to open the hair with very hot water and chemicals found in shaving creams.  Wet the hair, apply shaving cream with your fingertips in a circular fashion and hold a hot, wetted towel or washcloth on your scalp for at least three minutes.  Take the towel and wipe off all the shave cream and reapply as before.  Then and only then are you ready to shave.  Now the hair is extremely soft and easily cut.  A barber once told me to shave in a straight line but have the razor at a slight, sideways angle.  That allows the razor to slice the hair diagonally as opposed to straight on.  Imaging cutting a block of cheese.  It's easier to cut it it at an angle (back to front) than to put the whole knife edge on the block and press down.

When you're done rinse off the razor with very hot water and beat against an unfolded towel on the counter.  For the best results follow that with a hair drier.  Doing this i can make a Mach III last a month and I have a full head of very thick hair.

Hope this helps

Erik

[Frontier Guy]

Welcome Mojo. Great to have you join the SBG group and tell your story. I'm glad you worked things out for yourself. No one should feel such sadness (even depression) about their hair! Sounds like you have made an excellent recovery. Now we're gonna wanna see some pictures!

The great thing about the SBG forums is that there are lots o guys here, and each one has a unique perspective and opinion.

So, as much as I respect Erik's opinion, I will counter that the HeadBlade is a great razor. I'm not sure of the cost in France, but they can be picked up in the U.S. for about $10. I've used one since the first morning I started head shaving, and I don't anticipate a change in equipment coming anytime soon.

You can achieve good results (HeadBlade or not) shaving with basically the same things you use to shave your face. Head shaving provides justification to expand the toys and tools guys have to do the job. You can do the same ... or not ... and have a very satisfactory head shaving routine. I've never used an electric razor so can't comment on that. But if it's working for you - why change?

Again, glad you are here. Know that you have options but there's no need to rush into doing anything differently, and you can make gradual changes too if you want to.

[mrzed]

Welcome.  Good to have you posting instead of just lurking.

I'll post a vote in favor of headblade.  Love it. I think it makes shaving faster and fun.  Yes, there is a cost. You may have to delay.

Is there a difference between a clipper and a head blade (or other razor), YES.  Clippers just don't trim the hair as close as a razor. I love the very smooth feeling of the shaved head.  Do they LOOK about the same, almost. Do the feel the same, no.  Shaved is smoother and I really prefer the shaved feel.

[Mikekoz13]

Welcome Mojo!!

Your English is very good and your story excellent!

I'm also a BIG fan of the HeadBlade. It's a great tool for shaving but for many there is a learning curve when first using it. A little patience with the HB in the beginning will lead to MANY very satisfying shave later.
You will never get as close a shave with an electric as you can with a blade.

[Sir Harry]

Welcome and thank you for sharing your story! As a guy who has been sly for four years and change, I still "experiment" with various razors on occasion. I'm going to give the Headblade a try again in the next week or so, but as you meet the various guys on here everyone has their different methods and razors; that's part of the reason of the 30-day trial to discover what methods and products work best for you. Good luck and Happy Shaving!

[DaveM61]

Welcome to SBG.

[TyMoore122]

Welcome aboard! Great place and great people!

[kalbo]

Another welcome to the bald brotherhood. Your story has added more inspiration to those who are still undecided. If you are saving on expense, the mach3 does a good job in shaving up the dome.

[Hingatao]

Welcome to SBG, Mojo. Your English is as good as any native speaker.

I haven't tried the headblade yet as I just went sly myself a few weeks ago. Right now I'm just using a disposable three-blade which works fine.

[Beardman]

G'day Mojo,

I am 25, but have been going bald since I in my mid teens so I know what you have had to deal with, it is such a relief when you look in that mirror at the new sly you! As some of the guys said before me, an electric razor does do the job, you can never get as close as with a razor though, I use a schick hydro 5 and I find it gives a really nice close shave, and they just recently had the blades on sale so I picked 2 4 packs up for almost the price of one. Just keep an eye out in your local supermarket or where ever you get your shaving products from for some killer savings like that. But in the mean time, the electric razor is a good suppliment, depends on how close you want your shave to be

I have just ordered my headblade the other day, so hopefully within the month (shipping from the US, because I wanted to get the travel kit to sample all the goodies instead of buying the big bottles to realise I don't like them, my local shaving shop does stock all the headblade goodies so I can stock up closer to home in future) and I will be able to give my opinion on that then.

[mrzed]

I have just ordered my headblade the other day, so hopefully within the month (shipping from the US, because I wanted to get the travel kit to sample all the goodies instead of buying the big bottles to realise I don't like them, my local shaving shop does stock all the headblade goodies so I can stock up closer to home in future) and I will be able to give my opinion on that then.

I don't know that I've met a head blade product that I did not like!  Enjoy the kit when it comes.

[Natedawg]

Welcome to the site, Mojo. Thanks for sharing your story. As the others have said, your English is great! I'm very happy to hear that shaving your head has brought you a new positive outlook on life. May it last indefinitely!

Personally, I've never used the head blade, and probably never will. It looks way too gimmicky for my tastes. Mileage varies with each person, of course. I wish you success with it, if you do end up getting it. Don't be afraid to try different razor styles and brands to see what works best for you.

[waine]

Allow me to also extend a big welcome to SBG.com Mojo.  This site has helped me a lot in cultivating my new "Sly" lifestyle and I hope you enjoy the same benefits.

[mopar400]

Welcome Mojo............