One, two... 10 passes?

[The Zook]

I can' t seem to get my head shaved in less than what seems like 10 passes no matter what I use. With the grain, against the grain, backways, sideways, electric, razor, new blade, old blade, you name it. Even after all this I 'still' have some stubble here and there.

Is this normal or am I doing something wrong?

I have no irritation to speak of and my head doesn't feel 'abused', so I'm not concerned just hoping there's a way to possibly speed up the process.

What I've used:
Soap, Gels, Oils
Fusion, Mach3, Schick Quattro, Gillette Atra, Headblade (won't use again).

The only thing I can really think of is that I may need to soak my head in hot water longer?

[Sly Red]

I have the same problem.  Sometimes shaving against the grain means that I'm shaving up and at a diagonal (particularly on the sides).  This creates a very awkward situation trying to hold the razor.  I try to limit shaving with a blade to a maximum of four passes to avoid irritation.  I hate not getting my whole head completely smooth.  Any advice will be appreciated.

Red

[BaldRob]

Everyone's head is a little different and everyone uses different methods.

Personally, I shave in the shower and it takes me no more than one pass (and a touch up run on the areas I missed) to get smooth.  I use the HB Sport with HeadSlick most of the time, and switch it up with shave secret every once in awhile.  I like the Bald Guyz stuff, but I can't find it locally.

Try shaving in the shower and use a good exfoliator... HeadShed, St. Ives Apricot scrub, Bald Guyz Deep Cleaner.  Shaving in the shower works the best for me... the steam and hot water help "soften" up the hair and makes it easier to shave.

[BlackJamesRackham]

When I use my head blade, I go with one pass most of the time, sometimes two. Then I use a Custom Plus 3 to clean up the spots I missed. I try not to make multiple passes, tho.

With my electric, two passes usually does the trick.

[tomgallagher]

Two passes, with the grain and then against.

[The Zook]

I'll have to try the shower method tomorrow morning and go with the grain first, then against... maybe that's the key to at least a 2 pass shave (plus a few expected missed spot tough ups).

Right now I use my hands to put hot water on my head, just a few splashes... then wash, then shaving oil, then shave.

[BaldRob]

When you're using oil, make sure that you keep water on it... it helps a LOT!!

[The Zook]

I'll have to remember that as well, yet another reason for a shower shave I suppose... Guess I'll be needing one of those fog free stick up mirrors now.

[schro]

Welcome to the forum Lucky.
Finding the right method for you is really a process of trial & error. Shaving method/products that suck for someone else might be right for you, and vice-versa.

Good luck.

[M-Lite]

I kind of had the same problem  i needed at least 3 passes and on the back of the head 4 or more. under the shower or the sink all the same.

what i use now is a double edge razors with a really really sharp blade. i keep my passes really short like half an inch and then rinse the razor. ( i must warn you that you might nick yourself if you become impatient!!!) when i`m done with the short passes i apply shaving cream and then longer finishing up passes like the regular shaving method.

all the best     

[The Zook]

This morning my routine was:

Wash head and face with Equate Apricot Scrub (Medicated) for about a minute.
Rinse with hot water.
Apply Shave Secret shaving oil.
Shave using Mach3 handle and (cough) Venus Divine (cough) blade.
Cold rinse.

I have to say, this was by far the easiest and fastest shave yet... good results and no irritation.

[tomgallagher]

A Venus blade eh.

[M-Lite]

This morning my routine was:

Wash head and face with Equate Apricot Scrub (Medicated) for about a minute.
Rinse with hot water.
Apply Shave Secret shaving oil.
Shave using Mach3 handle and (cough) Venus Divine (cough) blade.
Cold rinse.

I have to say, this was by far the easiest and fastest shave yet... good results and no irritation.

then you have found what works for you!

not everything works for everybody... on my head, the more the blades (like the Mach 3) the more irritation i get

[schro]

then you have found what works for you!

not everything works for everybody... on my head, the more the blades (like the Mach 3) the more irritation i get

See what I mean about trial & error? There are many SBG's that swear by the triple blades and others hate it. I've personally got excellent results from Atra generic double blades in my Headblade, so I've seen no need to try anything different.

[The Zook]

Yep, Venus blades... the ones for women, they work SO good on the old noggin (for me anyway).

I also liked the Atra blades on the Headblade, and even the regular Atra razor... the problem for me was they contstantly cut my head open. My head has what I guess I'd call 'contour', I guess you could say I've figured out the meaning of potato head.