About two weeks in

• About two weeks in by wbcb on 22 May, 2014 11:33
• I used to shave bald years ago, but only for a few months, and ever since I have used clippers to keep my hair varying degrees of essentially bald. But it was only about two weeks ago that my brand new HB ATX arrived and I went truly smooth for the first time in a long time.
  
  I am still trying to get the knack back. Compared to many of you, I do grow what looks like a relatively complete head of hair, but in a pattern that is pretty challenging to style. Besides, I (1) like having a consistent appearance, (2) was spending a lot of time each week using clippers for what I thought was a mediocre result, and (3) bald is just the way I want to look. 
  
  But anyway, that means I have to shave over a great deal of the surface of my head, and as I get back into the practice of it, I find I am having to relearn the knack. For example, as nice as it is to be completely, utterly smooth, I am finding that obsessing over it is leading to some burn and some bumps on the back of my neck. It occurred to me today that I am probably being more uptight about my head than my face. I would never shave my face against the grain, and have a little roughness to the touch against the grain all day as a result. But for some reason my instinct is to just scrape and scrape every which way on my scalp--with the predictable result. Today I tried being a lot less comprehensive, and I was done faster, with less redness, and with no real visual difference, although I can feel a lot more rough patches. I think the only way to keep this sustainable will be to lower the "smoothness" expectation.
  
  (For what it's worth, I usually use the ATX with Proraso shaving soap/brush, sometimes supplemented with a Mach 3. I am getting Dorco 3-blade razors today to try out.)
  
  Anyway, just thought I would check in.
• #1 by Semi-Sly on 22 May, 2014 13:02
• Hello wbcb:
  
  First off - Welcome!
  
  I am newly sly myself.  I have only been shaving regularly for about two months.
  
  Like you, I have a "full" hairline, but my hair is what my barber calls "Baby fine" and it is very, very thin and wispy on the sides.  When it still had some color in it I "disguised" the thinness.  For 25 years I wore a Hight, Tight and Brutal Horseshoe Flat Top with the back and sides razor shaved and the landing strip of the horseshoe clippered right down to 000.  Basically, most of my head was bald but the horseshoe was dark brown - so no one even knew that my hair, (when allowed to grow) was thin and wispy.
  
  But now, what is left of my hair is a mousy gray.  I have retired from the Police Department and from the Naval Reserve, so I no longer have an "excuse" to wear an "agressive" haircut.  And who was I kidding?  I just looked like an "Old Guy with a Flattop"!
  
  About two months ago, I shaved my head as part of a fundraiser to support a little boy, (the child of a brother in blue), who has leukemia.  The little boy is going through 3.5 years of chemo.  His hair fell out with the very first treatment and the little boy freaked out about it.  Now that all of us have shaved our heads he thinks that it is "Cool".  He even runs around with a pair of sunglasses callying himself "Rico"!
  
  Before I shaved my head, I let my beard grow for the first time in over 30 years. Then I shaved my head and took the 30 day challenge. (to be continued)
• #2 by Semi-Sly on 22 May, 2014 13:08
• (continuing)
  
  I had a hard time, at first, learning to shave my own head.  And like you, I got all "OCD" about getting every little last stubble!  But even a professional barber leaves a little stubble now and then.  I also learned that it is a LOT easier to shave if I do it every OTHER day instead of EVERY day.
  
  It has been two months now and I still don't know if I am going to keep the Baldy.  If I had a head shaped like yours and a beautiful dark beard like yours I wouldn't even be asking the question!  You look good!  I cannot even imagine what you would look like with hair!
  
  My beard is all different shades of gray and many people are telling me that I look so much more "mature" (code for: OLDER) with the beard and the bald head.  So, I am starting to waiver.
• #3 by Sir Harry on 22 May, 2014 13:46
• Welcome aboard!
• #4 by AgentBald on 22 May, 2014 13:59
• Welcome!  You look great with the shaved head.  I'm in the same boat as you and have been shaving sly for little over a month now and I love it. 
• #5 by Mike E. P. on 22 May, 2014 15:17
• Welcome wbcb! No matter what I do when shaving, I never seem to be without a few patches of stubble. It doesn't matter whether I use a cartridge razor or a safety razor. I'm learning no to obsess about it. Good enough's gotta do!
• #6 by AJ Q-Ball on 22 May, 2014 17:07
• Welcome wbcb! This morning was a fine example in my case where I couldn't seem to get a patch near the crown smooth like it should be. I just finally had to accept it unless I wanted to take a chance on obtaining razor burn.
• #7 by K5mow on 22 May, 2014 18:36
• Welcome to the forum.
  
  Roger
• #8 by Frontier Guy on 22 May, 2014 19:31
• Welcome.
  
  Yes, there are likely to be some spots which defy perfect smoothness. Only you will know they are there.
  
  Let it go and enjoy the freedom it is supposed to be.
• #9 by BaldLuke on 23 May, 2014 07:02
• I'm bbc too and if it were to grow would have very thick coarse hair, I swear by schick xtreme3 razors which bend laterally and contour to the shape of your head. I get great shaves with these along with headslick, I recommend using some shave secret before the headslick especially if you've got sensitive skin
• #10 by wbcb on 26 May, 2014 11:52
• Seem to be getting into the groove. Unfortunately, I've been trying too many things at once to be sure whether it's improved technique, the products, or a combination. But I'm having good success with a Dorco three-blade razor, Cremo Shave Cream, and Bump Patrol. Does anyone know if there is much of a difference between Bump Patrol and Clearhead? Anyway, as for technique, I've started trying to follow a more set pattern, actually watching what I'm doing rather than just doing it by feel. (If that sounds fairly obvious, I wear glasses, and so I had to start wearing my glasses while shaving. Not a big deal, I just have to remember to touch up around the ears once I've done the rest.)