I'm new to head shaving, but not wet shaving, so I figured I'd try a shave with only a DE. I went for the most aggressive choice possible, hoping that I'd get a closer shave than the previous two I'd done, one with a Mach 3, and the other with a standard Merkur (I don't know the model number, but it's not the HD; it's a lot lighter), but only on the sides of my head (more flat surface area, less risk of getting cut) - I went with a Merkur Slant Bar and a fresh Feather blade. I used a badger/boar brush and TOBS Avocado shave cream.
The shave was cut-free, although the sides of the back of my neck are a bit irritated (the Slant has never given me a completely irritation-free shave on my face, though, so I'm not surprised). Overall, it was closer than the previous two head shaves, but I also owe that to a shorter time period between shaves.
After one pass with the grain I was confident that I'd be able to do against the grain, but I'm having the same issue as with the Mach 3 and the other Merkur - the blade skips when I go against the grain. As a result, I'm going across the grain on the second pass, which gets closer, but doesn't get me to the elusive BBS. As I sit here, about 2.5 hours later, my head feels very stubbly if I rub it against the grain.
I'd like to stick with the DE because I still have a decent supply of Feathers, and I don't shave most of my face since I have a beard. I'm quite surprised that this combination, of any razor and blade, still resisted going against the grain. Is this goal simply unrealistic for a new head shaver?
What kind of cream or soap are you using? What's your prep? Do you use a shaving brush?
In my limited experience using a DE on my head, I've found that I need to hold the razor a little more solidly and apply a bit more pressure than on my face, when going ATG. I also slow way down when going ATG.
If a slant with a feather won't do it, nothing will!
Sorry, don't know how I missed the part about TOBS and the brush.
I would think, and this is the same advice face shavers get when they feel a razor isn't shaving them as well as it could, that it's down to technique. I've yet to meet a person with hair that a feather blade (especially in a slant) couldn't cut. Try experimenting with your angles a bit more. There'll be a sweet spot where the slant will feel like it's almost wiping the hair rather than cutting!
Good luck, let us know how it goes!
Thanks for the advice, guys. It seems to have been mostly technique, and shaving more consistently (i.e. everyday). A little pressure against the grain did the trick. The blade still doesn't feel like it's 'wiping' the hair away despite how sharp it is, but it's getting better.