Sly on the cheap

[skinhead002]

I cant say enough about the Schick Extreme disposables for myself.  I can probably use one for a month(both face and head, minimum once daily) and they work twice as well as Gillettes for me.  Believe me, when I say that I have tried all the razors since I started shaving my head in 1983 and the Schick works best for me.  Have never tried the HeadBlade because it looks like a gimmick to me and I'm afraid it would wind up sitting in a drawer.

I think blade life obviously has a lot to do with the softness of the stubble.  Softening the stubble up first and using a good shave creme should make the blades last much longer.  I really like the Headlube, and a little goes a long  way.

Another aspect to this is water softness.  "Soft" water gives a much better shave and will make any soap, shave creme go much further.

Anyway, being completely bald is MUCH chaeaper than having any hair.  When you factor in the costs of haircuts, traveling to the Barbershop, hair junk, the TIME factor involved, having hair is much more expensive than being a chromedome.

[Sly Red]

I agree with you on the Schick Xtreme 3, but I took it a step further and found myself the Xtreme 3 System (replaceable blades)

http://yhst-4043893163530.ecommerce-site-search.com/?query=xtreme

I just didn't like the lightweight feel of the disposables.  The blades are the same no matter which you choose.

Red

[schro]

I agree with you on the Schick Xtreme 3, but I took it a step further and found myself the Xtreme 3 System (replaceable blades)

http://yhst-4043893163530.ecommerce-site-search.com/?query=xtreme

I just didn't like the lightweight feel of the disposables.  The blades are the same no matter which you choose.

Red

Agree 100%, Red.  The lightweight of the disposables is not my preference. I use the Extreme3 Razor & catridges for the face & touch ups around the ears. Thanks for the OTC link. Think I'll buy in bulk & save a few $$$ to make it truly sly on the cheap.

By the way, I was comparing the cost of going sly to the cost of not being sly in another topic (cost as in money only, not considering self-confidence and general coolness, which is a given). For those looking at "sly on the cheap", this might be a good read.

http://www.slybaldguys.com/smf/index.php?topic=4670.0

Enjoy your Wednesday,
Schro

[buddha]

3) What sort of lube?
I tried the HeadBlade HeadSlick when I bought my HB Sport. By far, it's great, but VERY expensive at $8 for an 8 ounce sport bottle. I also tried the simple menthol Barbasol ($1.29 a can, baby) and really found no signifigant advantage. At least for me. I'll use up my bottle of HeadSlick, but I will not be getting any more.
6) Accessories
I picked up some of the Bald Guyz head wipes. They were way cheaper than the ones HeadBlade sells, I think I paid $6 for a 16 count box. VERY refreshing, and good for a real hot and humid Florida afternoon. I hope this helps anyone wanting to be sly on the cheap!

Some of the Edge gels work great. Pretty good variety, too, depending on skin sensitivity and beard toughness. About $2 per can at Wally's. I use them when I'm in a hurry. When I'm long on time I use the Van der Hagen mug soap and a brush that Nick recommended. $1.47 a bar at Wally's and lasts a long time.
I haven't used the wipes but KeeperOfTheBeard has a neat idea that I will expand on. Dickinson's Witch Hazel with some pure (or 99% pure) Aloe gel mixed in until the Witch Hazel has just a slightly thickened consistency. Squirt some of that into the bag with the babywipes. It works really nicely for irritation on the other end, I can't imagine it would be any less pleasant on the dome.

[Razor X]

I think blade life obviously has a lot to do with the softness of the stubble.  Softening the stubble up first and using a good shave creme should make the blades last much longer.  I really like the Headlube, and a little goes a long  way.

Exactly.  A lot has to do with your hair texture and how much you're shaving off each day -- that's why some of us can get longer out of a blade than others.  I can usually get about two weeks out of a Mach III blade.  I did not get as long out of the Schick Extreme 3 disposables.

There's no right or wrong answer to this; it's just a matter of finding what works for you.  I've seen guys at the gym shaving their heads with disposable Bics  and the end results were surprisingly good.  I tried that once, years ago and will never do it again.