Sly Bald Guys Forum
Head Shaving, Grooming & Care => Head Shaving => Topic started by: Chavster on September 05, 2011, 10:59:46 AM
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Around 6 months ago, I bought a Headblade. I bought the one without wheels. I could be wrong, but I dont think there are any retail stores here that sell them so I had to buy it on eBay, and it cost quite a lot of money. (I also bought the exfoliating head scrub or whatever its called, which is very good, but hugely overpriced for what it is).
I used it on the day it arrived, and I had blood pouring down my face from several cuts. I didnt put any pressure on the Headblade while I was using it, I just let it glide over my head. Before it arrived, I'd watched a few videos on YouTube, where guys were demonstrating how it should be used, how easy it is to use, how great it is to use, etc. Nonetheless, my head was like a pin cushion and it was bleeding. A lot. It was like Nightmare on Elm Street 17 - Revenge of the Headblade.
I persevered for maybe 5 weeks, and although I didnt cut myself often, I found that the Headblade didnt give a close shave at all. My head always felt like sandpaper after I used it (I cant remember the blades I used, but I think there are two types of blade that can be used - one without a freaky looking attachment, the other with). Whatever the two types of blades are called, I tried them both, and I still had sandpaperhead.
Like a fool, I then bought the Headblade with wheels (the one that looks like an F1 racing car) to see if it would be an improvement. Same results. Sandpaperhead.
I could well be wrong, and this certainly isnt a criticism aimed at anyone else, but from my perspective, it seems like the Headblade is great for anyone who doesnt particularly want a close shave, or isnt bothered about having areas of roughness. Or am I missing something?
I have a more-or-less indestructible head. No matter which blades I use, no matter what type of prep I go through, I never get cuts or bumps or any of that kind of thing, but to me, Headblade is the razor version of Jack the Ripper.
So really, what am I missing about this device? Obviously, none of you have actually watched me shave my head, so you wont know whether I'm actually using it correctly or not, but I'm pretty sure I am, but at the end of it, sandpaper head.
I now have two Headblades gathering dust, and I've reverted back to my favourite (oops, favorite) blades, which is Gillette Sensor. Not Excel, not ProGlide, just the regular Sensor, which (IMO), does the best job.
So if anyone can enlighten me as to the Headblade's greatness, I'd be very grateful :'(
Also, a note for anyone in the UK (or anyone anywhere who can buy this product) - Taylors of Bond Street Sandalwood shaving cream is, in my opinion, excellent. I've been using it for the past couple of days with a shaving brush made by L'Occitane, and my trusty Sensor blades, and my head is so smooth, not even superglue would stick to it (not that I plan on testing that theory any time soon).
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I wanted to like the HB, but have never come to terms with it. I just use a Mach 3 and am very happy with the results.
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I started shaving with a HeadBlade and had a few minor nicks with it, but nothing serious. The nicks stopped after a couple days when I got used to using the HeadBlade. I was never able to get a really smooth shave on the sides, but the back and top were pretty good.
While on vacation, I experimented with the Mach 3 I use on my face to see if I could get a closer shave and sure enough, I did. I then switched to a Fusion (I had a free sample sitting in a drawer) and got an incredibly smooth shave with no nicks or cuts. After that, I retired the HeadBlade and stuck with the Fusion.
Part of it comes down to how comfortable you are with a regular razor (I was worried about this at first, but now it's second nature) and the other part is how smooth a shave you can get. I like a super-smooth shave, and for me the Fusion works best, but others seem to get a great shave with fewer blades.
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The Headblade is a beautiful piece of industrial design, but like others it just doesn't work for me, too touchy and prone to nicks and a lot of work switching it around to do the job. I really like the Headslick though. Stick razors work best for me, currently the Shick Hydro 5--great tool.
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I wanted to like the HB, but have never come to terms with it.
Ditto.
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Well I'm pleased I'm not the only one. I thought I was the only nakedhead on the planet who didnt have a good relationship with his Headblade :D
I agree, its a great design, but I think its also a little gimmicky. And when push comes to shove, if it doesn't do the job (for me or others), then its not worth the money (for me or others).
Which product is Headslick. I'll have to look it up. Actually I bought the exfoliator and also the gloss moisturizing cream or whatever its called. I like the former but not the latter. It feels as if I've rubbed melted candle wax onto my head. If I want to go for a really shiny look, I usually use pure Aloe Vera gel which tends to produce a very very shiny shine.
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Headslick is the shaving cream.
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I wanted to like the HB, but have never come to terms with it. I just use a Mach 3 and am very happy with the results.
I'm not sure we can still buy Mach 3 on this side of the world. I could be wrong about that. I know we can buy Mach 3 disposable razors, but I'm not sure about the blades. I'll have to check :)
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Headslick is the shaving cream.
Thanks :) Nope, I havent tried that. Just the scrub and the shiny stuff.
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I'm a BIG fan of the Classic/Ghost type HB but the Sport (wheels) is an invitation to a blood feast for me. I can either use HB Triples with the yellow adapter or Sensors with the black one, aside from that I need a transfusion.
The sides are also kind of a trouble spot for me but I generally touch up with a stick razor to smooth that out.
I like it because it's fast and easy but like with any razor there are gonna be different opinions. But that's the beauty of democracy in action. We get to choose our razors and blades.
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Very true :)
The sides are a problem for me too, no matter what blades/razor I use. There's one area on the left side of my head that just wont get smooth no matter what I do, and shaving around my ears takes forever. I have hair like barbed wire :( and the same goes for my beard.
When I watched a guy on YouTube using his Headblade, he made it look so easy. He looked as if he just wiped his hand over his head 3 or 4 times, and hey presto, bald. But for me it took an absolute age, as well as at least 500 gallons of blood, and my head still felt like a hedgehog's backside.
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I use the Headblade and am pleased with it. The triple blade works fine for me. What I like the most is the easy handling and I get a smooth shave too. Sandpaper feeling starts around 7 to 10hours after I shaved (haven't figured out yet why sometimes its 7 and other times 10h, must be the blade, the more I extend it's use the less time I stay bald)
If you say that you get a sandpaper head all the time, did you try to shave against the grain? This is crucial in getting a close shave.
Eventually one day I will try a regular razor of the likes of a Mach3 or Fusion but for now I have a large stock of blades for the HB
The other Headblade products are great too, specially the Headslick and the Lube
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Im a rebel, I always go against the grain :D
Even when I use Fusion / ProGlide etc, the sandpaper feeling starts around 3 hours after I shave, but with HB, it was there as soon as I finished shaving.
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I liked the HeadBlade for what it was, and it really isn't a bad product. I just lost interest in it once I tried out a Fusion. It seemed kind of impractical and expensive to keep the HeadBlade for my head, and a Fusion for my face when the Fusion could do it all. :)
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The HB didnt really make much logical sense to me, even if it had given me the worlds best ever shave. They're not available for purchase in the UK, apart from on eBay at stupid prices, and the blades are very hard to find (and even more expensive), so it was never going to make logical sense for me.
The UK is around a year behind the US when it comes to razors, it seems. I remember when ProGlide was launched in the US, which was (I think) July 2010, but they've only recently been launched here.
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I've never tried The Head Blade. Been afraid to. Everyone I've talked to has wounded themselves with it. I use either a Gillette Fusion Or Schick Hydro 5 razor. The hydrating strip on the Schick is amazing in function & durability. I also have a Remington Electric that shaves as close as a razor initially with no sand paper feel but doesn't last quite as long as a razor. I notice my hair grows faster in summer when heat & humidity levels are higher.
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Mine does too (grow faster).
I'd never heard of this Schick thing until I bought the headblade. Is that a major brand of blades in the US?
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Schick is Gillette's biggest competitor here in the US.
Since I only started shaving in May, I can't tell if my hair grows faster in the warm weather. Fall is coming, so I'll see if it slows down. I have noticed that the top grows faster than the sides, though.
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Yeah thats the same for me too. Top first, then sides, then back. I just got back from Egypt and I had to shave twice a day while I was there. I hate the sandpapery feel of my head at the best of times, but there my hair was growing like crazy.
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When I was on vacation and out in the sun, I had to shave twice a day, too. I'd shave in the morning and then when I got back from the beach in the late afternoon because my head was covered in stubble. It was as if being outside all day instead of in an office made my hair grow faster. I never noticed this when I had hair (I'm BBC) nor did I notice that my hair grew at different rates in different parts of my head.
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I'm BBC too, and I always knew my hair grew pretty fast, but its a lot more noticable since I dont have any hair (if that makes sense!). I just figure that if I'm going to be bald, I want to be REALLY bald, and not stubbly, because it defeats the object.
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It makes complete sense that you notice your hair more now that you shave your head. I know I do. And I agree with you - since I've chosen to be bald, I want to be as bald as possible for as long as possible during the day.
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Thats definitely my philosophy too 8)
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I've used my HB from day 1 ... I go ATG and get a smooth shave. It's the easiest for the back of my head. For me the HB triples don't last long (and they're expensive). The Sensor triples do the best job ... but I have learnt (the hard way and with much blood) that there is a right way and a wrong way for attaching that black adaptor to those blades. That's the only time I've had to mop up blood. I've tried double blades, and all leave nicks and stubble.
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I've yet to find a triple blade that lasts for very long. I use Sensor, and I use each blade maybe 3 times before I have to throw it away, but then again my hair is like wire.
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Wow GSGUK. Looking at those pictures, you look amazingly better without hair. I'm still amazed that until I did this 3 weeks ago, I never paid attention to how guys looked with/without hair but now that I've done it and I'm paying attention, it's amazing how good guys can look completely sly. I'm also surprised that almost everyone thinks I look better without hair too.
I am still scared to try the HB that I bought 3 weeks ago when 1st shaved my head. I've been using the 2 blade sensor excel with pretty good results. My hair is like barbed wire and grows fast too. As long as I go very slow against the grain, I'm getting very smooth for most of the day. Right now, it's been 13 hours since I shaved and while the smoothness is gone, it doesn't yet hurt to rub against my head.
The most difficult part for me is the side/back of my head on each side just past the ear. I have to touch that up with the electric after I do the rest of the head. I was hoping the HB was going to make that section easier but from what I've read and seen in videos, it won't.
I'm going to try to work up the courage to try it this weekend and hopefully I won't bleed too much. Then I'll report back.
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Thank you :D 8)
Someone yesterday alluded to the fact that perhaps I pay too many compliments to people, but unfortunately thats the way I am. If I see something or someone that deserves a compliment, I like to pay the compliment, because I tend to think it makes the world a nicer place, plus we all need an ego boost from time to time, as long as the boost is a genuine one
So, here's one back for you. I said on a thread a couple of days ago that I find the 'shaved head / full beard' look a little weird, which I usually do because I dont think too many men can carry it off. But I think it suits you, and I think part of that is because from what I see in your picture, your beard is very nicely groomed. Another part of it is that you have a nicely shaped head :*))
Its not a look I'd get away with, unfortunately. I have had a full beard many times, but only with a full head of hair too, so now I just stick with my rather bushy goatee.
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Wow GSGUK. Looking at those pictures, you look amazingly better without hair. I'm still amazed that until I did this 3 weeks ago, I never paid attention to how guys looked with/without hair but now that I've done it and I'm paying attention, it's amazing how good guys can look completely sly. I'm also surprised that almost everyone thinks I look better without hair too.
I am still scared to try the HB that I bought 3 weeks ago when 1st shaved my head. I've been using the 2 blade sensor excel with pretty good results. My hair is like barbed wire and grows fast too. As long as I go very slow against the grain, I'm getting very smooth for most of the day. Right now, it's been 13 hours since I shaved and while the smoothness is gone, it doesn't yet hurt to rub against my head.
The most difficult part for me is the side/back of my head on each side just past the ear. I have to touch that up with the electric after I do the rest of the head. I was hoping the HB was going to make that section easier but from what I've read and seen in videos, it won't.
I'm going to try to work up the courage to try it this weekend and hopefully I won't bleed too much. Then I'll report back.
I can tell that the Headblade makes it extremely easy to shave the back of your head and around your ears.
There is tons of advice in this forum on how to correctly use the Headblade, I would suggest you read that. I guess you will like it.
Regarding the life of the blades, just rinsing them with alcohol after use should extend their life. I used my last HB triple blade for a good 3 weeks, that was about a minimum 15 shaves (didn't count them). I sometimes shave daily, sometimes every other day
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Hmmm. I must admit, I never do that.
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The Headblade is a beautiful piece of industrial design, but like others it just doesn't work for me, too touchy and prone to nicks and a lot of work switching it around to do the job. I really like the Headslick though. Stick razors work best for me, currently the Shick Hydro 5--great tool.
I have used the HB many times hoping to get used to it. Pushing the HB seems un-natural I guess. I don't like the nicks and the fear of nicking. When I use cold steal I opt for the great shave of the Fusion and at other times I use my Panny "lima alpha-63" it's a fine machine. O0
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at other times I use my Panny "lima alpha-63" it's a fine machine. O0
A Panasonic disciple that I didn't even have to convert! O0
Welcome to Sly Bald Guys, Slynito!
Red
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Thank you for the welcome, Red. I saw your posts about your pleasure with your Panny, was it a couple years ago? At that time I was using an "Echo Sierra 8243" and lovin' it. Before that I had a Panasonic Linear. I know that you don't need a Panny pitch, but if'n you're wantin' to upgrade, the "LA-63" is the catz ass! O0
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Thank you :D 8)
Someone yesterday alluded to the fact that perhaps I pay too many compliments to people, but unfortunately thats the way I am. If I see something or someone that deserves a compliment, I like to pay the compliment, because I tend to think it makes the world a nicer place, plus we all need an ego boost from time to time, as long as the boost is a genuine one
So, here's one back for you. I said on a thread a couple of days ago that I find the 'shaved head / full beard' look a little weird, which I usually do because I dont think too many men can carry it off. But I think it suits you, and I think part of that is because from what I see in your picture, your beard is very nicely groomed. Another part of it is that you have a nicely shaped head :*))
Its not a look I'd get away with, unfortunately. I have had a full beard many times, but only with a full head of hair too, so now I just stick with my rather bushy goatee.
Thank You. Right now, I still need the ego boost because I'm only 3 weeks into this look as of tomorrow. I had my beard permanently fixed so I wouldn't have to shape it it everyday. I alternate between the beard, goatee, and nothing because I didn't like having to shave every day (and now I'm shaving my head every day ???). With the bald head, I don't think I'll be going bare faced anymore. I'm going to wait a while and then see what I look like with the goatee and then with nothing. Luckily, I only need about 3 days to get the full beard back.
I didn't want to shave my head without the beard because a guy I used to work with shaved his head and didn't have a beard and he looked like an alien to me but he had a weird head shape. And, I never saw what he ever looked like with hair.
When I try the HB, I really hope it works for me because I would like this daily routine to be a little easier. But I'm not holding much hope because so far, I like my edge gel better than the Head Slick so I'm thinking I'll like the Gillette better than the HB.
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I had the same experience with the head blade as the OP did. I actually took off a patch of skin. It was about a 1/4 inch of skin and took weeks to heal up. The head slick is a great shaving cream.