Sly Bald Guys Forum

New Member Section => Introductions => Topic started by: Spleener on February 02, 2008, 08:30:32 PM

Title: No guard...
Post by: Spleener on February 02, 2008, 08:30:32 PM
Hey guys,

I've been lurking the forums since August. Love the site!

I'm 45, and have been feeling the effects of MPB for about 15 years. I've never been all that bugged about it, but I've never liked the sort of in-between look of thinning on top. I've been buzzing for over 10 years, and getting progressively shorter as things on top got more sparse. For the last year or so I've been at a #2 or #3, and went down to a #1 a few months ago.

I've been thinking pretty hard about going sly; my biggest reservation has been reactions of family and folks at work. I decided going to no guard with the trimmer might be a good first step, and last night I finally decided to do it. I walked into the bedroom after I was done, and my wife said, "Oh, you decided to shave tonight--how come?" I told her I wanted to see what it would look like if I buzzed my hair shorter...her reply was, "Oh, is it shorter?" I told her I've been thinking about shaving my head...she said, "Oh really?" and then started talking about the Norwegian cookbook she was reading.

The exhange helped me realize that A) I'm pretty much already the nearly-bald guy with a buzz as far as my friends and family are concerned, and B) nobody really cares that much. I think everyone else is too busy worrying about his/her own hair to give much thought to mine. I've pretty much made up my mind to go sly the next time I have a week off, or even a long weekend. If I stick with the no-guard look, it would only take a few days to get back to that level of cranial downiness if I don't like it or the neighbors start screaming and hiding their children. The remaining hair is pretty much token at this point anyway.

My other big concern has been that I'm not a small guy (girth-wise), and I don't want to end up looking like Marlon Brando in his declining years. I'm eating clean (mostly) and working out (a lot), so hopefully that's going to take care of itself.
Title: Re: No guard...
Post by: Razor X on February 02, 2008, 08:35:38 PM


The exhange helped me realize that A) I'm pretty much already the nearly-bald guy with a buzz as far as my friends and family are concerned, and B) nobody really cares that much. I think everyone else is too busy worrying about his/her own hair to give much thought to mine.

That's pretty much in line with what most of us have experienced.  We get all revved up to make the leap from a no-guard buzz to slick bald only to find that the rest of the world either doesn't notice or care.  A no-guard buzz is the same as shaved as far as the average Joe on the street is concerned.  And it only takes 2-3 days to grow back to the no-guard length.

So, you have officially run out of excuses -- so get your razor and shaving gel and start shaving!!

Title: Re: No guard...
Post by: SLYinKC on February 02, 2008, 08:36:04 PM
Welcome to SBG's, Spleener. Glad to have you and happy that you're taking the plunge.  You're discovering what the rest of us have known for awhile.  But this is something that you have to discover for yourself.

Hope you'll hang around and become an active member of SBG's.

Rick....
Title: Re: No guard...
Post by: R o b 6 on February 02, 2008, 09:07:23 PM
I've pretty much made up my mind to go sly the next time I have a week off, or even a long weekend. If I stick with the no-guard look, it would only take a few days to get back to that level of cranial downiness if I don't like it or the neighbors start screaming and hiding their children.

Been there, done that, Spleener!
First off, welcome to SBG and to your future among the ranks of the SLY.
The long weekend (say, Presidents Day?) is a great idea. That's what I finally did. Take 'er down Friday morning. Tuesday morning, you'll be getting out the razor again. Just know you're a mere 1/8 or 1/16 inch away from the finish line.
Title: Re: No guard...
Post by: warhawk on February 02, 2008, 09:12:11 PM
spleener....welcome 2 the sly fraternity.  i say get a quality razor like the fusion, mach3, or headblade and scrape that dome smooooth.  i promise U that U won't regret it.  matter of fact...U will B thanking us 4 encouraging U 2  "do the deed".   stick around  & become an active member of the best site on the internet. O0

WARHAWK O0
Title: Re: No guard...
Post by: Razor X on February 02, 2008, 09:22:12 PM
I don't understand how anyone, having gotten down to a no-guard buzz, can resist the urge to go completely slick.  I sure couldn't.  When I reached the no-guard stage (which was already shorter than I'd planned on going at the time), I didn't have any intention of taking the blade to my scalp.  I thought about it briefly and thought, "Some day but not right now".

Ten minutes later I was lathering up my scalp and taking that first swipe of the Mach III right down the center.  I was so nervous I was trembling, but the urge to have a completely smooth head had finally overwhelmed me.  It was like I no longer had any choice in the matter; it was something I had to do.  You are cheating yourself out of a great experience if you don't finish the job off with the blade.
Title: Re: No guard...
Post by: warhawk on February 02, 2008, 09:29:00 PM
  You are cheating yourself out of a great experience if you don't finish the job off with the blade.
O0 O0

WARHAWK O0
Title: Re: No guard...
Post by: JohnMont on February 02, 2008, 09:35:20 PM
I don't understand how anyone, having gotten down to a no-guard buzz, can resist the urge to go completely slick.  I sure couldn't.  When I reached the no-guard stage (which was already shorter than I'd planned on going at the time), I didn't have any intention of taking the blade to my scalp.  I thought about it briefly and thought, "Some day but not right now".

Ten minutes later I was lathering up my scalp and taking that first swipe of the Mach III right down the center.  I was so nervous I was trembling, but the urge to have a completely smooth head had finally overwhelmed me.  It was like I no longer had any choice in the matter; it was something I had to do.  You are cheating yourself out of a great experience if you don't finish the job off with the blade.

I agree with razorX . ...  I'm finding that having gone from buzzed (like you) to sly; then back to buzzed;  ...  now that I'm back to a .50 buzz; the urge to do a no guard buzz is almost irresistble.   Once I do that  , I will probably; as RazorX  says, get the razor out again.

( and my wife things that she has "won" . ...
Title: Re: No guard...
Post by: Spleener on February 02, 2008, 09:36:10 PM
I don't understand how anyone, having gotten down to a no-guard buzz, can resist the urge to go completely slick. 

I'm pretty dang close...I'm getting some Fusion refills at Sam's in a couple days, so who knows...
Title: Re: No guard...
Post by: wpruitt on February 02, 2008, 09:56:59 PM
Welcome Spleener.  Listen to that little voice in your head that says "SHAVE IT"
Title: Re: No guard...
Post by: Tyler on February 03, 2008, 12:48:02 AM
Spleener, welcome to Sly Bald Guys!
Title: Re: No guard...
Post by: Paul on February 03, 2008, 06:35:43 AM
Welcome to the gang Spleener.   You may as well do it now because the seed has obviously been planted and is only going to grow and grow till the sly urge becomes paramount
Title: Re: No guard...
Post by: joergHH on February 04, 2008, 09:44:05 AM
I don't understand how anyone, having gotten down to a no-guard buzz, can resist the urge to go completely slick.

I'm pretty dang close...I'm getting some Fusion refills at Sam's in a couple days, so who knows...

Welcome here, Spleener!

Maybe you can use the time till you do the DEED and search for - as my opinion is - the best razor: The HeadBlade Sport.

J
Title: Re: No guard...
Post by: Stu on February 04, 2008, 12:13:09 PM
I don't understand how anyone, having gotten down to a no-guard buzz, can resist the urge to go completely slick.  I sure couldn't.  When I reached the no-guard stage (which was already shorter than I'd planned on going at the time), I didn't have any intention of taking the blade to my scalp.  I thought about it briefly and thought, "Some day but not right now".

Ten minutes later I was lathering up my scalp and taking that first swipe of the Mach III right down the center.  I was so nervous I was trembling, but the urge to have a completely smooth head had finally overwhelmed me.  It was like I no longer had any choice in the matter; it was something I had to do.  You are cheating yourself out of a great experience if you don't finish the job off with the blade.

Razor is absolutely right.  Once I did the no-guard, I had to get to the final chapter immediately... to me it was an incredible rush, kind of like jumping off a high dive... once you step off there's no looking back.  Just do it, Spleener.  The seed has been planted, and you won't be happy until you do it.
Title: Re: No guard...
Post by: Sgt. Pate on February 04, 2008, 01:46:53 PM
Give it a try bro... you can grow back what you have in a few days if you don't like it!  But YOU WILL like it!  :*))
Title: Re: No guard...
Post by: champ007 on February 06, 2008, 09:02:09 PM
Welcome Spleener, and as others have said "go for it"  O0
A good post for your working out is Robmeisters fitness goal. I am sure he would be happy to discuss some of the things he has done as far as workouts, etc.
The shaved head will only help to inspire you to work the body in shape....
Title: Re: No guard...
Post by: Spleener on February 09, 2008, 03:39:16 PM
I did the deed today! You guys are so right...I buzzed again this morning, and that growing feeling that it just wasn't good enough tipped the scales for me. My wife was heading out to do some errands, so I let he know what I was planning to do while she was gone. When we met for lunch later, she said she really likes it! My five-year-old daughter didn't have a huge reaction one way or another. She said she liked it, then that she didn't...but mostly she's ignored it. We'll see what people at work say (I'm actually seeing the CEO first thing Monday morning), but I'm not planning on changing anything based on my co-workers reactions. I'm very happy I did this (and wish I'd done it a few years ago).

I used a Fusion blade and my regular shaving cream, and it seemed to go really well. No razor burn, and so far it feels like there's not going to be a reaction. I found a Walgreens that stocks Headblade stuff, so I'm thinking of investing in that. I just thought I should use a razer I'm used to the first time out.
Title: Re: No guard...
Post by: Timmay on February 09, 2008, 03:49:25 PM
Congratulations bro....we all were sorta in your shoes at one time or another.  I also did the no gaurd thing in the clippers....about 3 days later I ended up using the razor ...just a good feeling is all we can say.....Glad ya did it...looks great
Timmayyyyyyy!
Title: Re: No guard...
Post by: Razor X on February 09, 2008, 03:55:04 PM
I did the deed today! You guys are so right...I buzzed again this morning, and that growing feeling that it just wasn't good enough tipped the scales for me.


...I'm very happy I did this (and wish I'd done it a few years ago).



Told ya.   ;D  Congratulations on taking the plunge; it looks great.   O0
Title: Re: No guard...
Post by: Thunderbroom on February 09, 2008, 04:00:17 PM
Nice!

I've been sly for a few days.  I had planned to shave "as required" but have been shaving in the shower each morning.
Title: Re: No guard...
Post by: RodgerDodger on February 09, 2008, 04:01:47 PM
I did the deed today! I'm very happy I did this (and wish I'd done it a few years ago).
I used a Fusion blade and my regular shaving cream, and it seemed to go really well. No razor burn, and so far it feels like there's not going to be a reaction. I found a Walgreens that stocks Headblade stuff, so I'm thinking of investing in that. I just thought I should use a razer I'm used to the first time out.
(https://www.slybaldguys.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi15.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fa390%2Fstratboy%2Fkaneklapae4.gif&hash=15e2d339d34dba24262463eb7b88a4bfb2dc1f3e)

Congrats Spleener!
No need to get a HeadBlade, if you're happy with your results.
I say why mess with success.

Rodger, Over and Out  O0
Title: Re: No guard...
Post by: Spleener on February 09, 2008, 04:08:26 PM
Thanks for the ovation, Roger! O:O
Title: Re: No guard...
Post by: Paul on February 09, 2008, 04:11:18 PM
Way to go Spleener.  Great to be truly sly, isn't it? !B@
Title: Re: No guard...
Post by: SLYinKC on February 09, 2008, 04:58:12 PM
Congrats, Spleener,  You're gonna love it..... :@`
Title: Re: No guard...
Post by: Tyler on February 09, 2008, 05:49:37 PM
Way to go Spleener!
Title: Re: No guard...
Post by: Mikekoz13 on February 09, 2008, 08:06:55 PM
Welcome Spleener!..... aND WAY TO GO! iT LOOKS GREAT!!
Title: Re: No guard...
Post by: warhawk on February 09, 2008, 10:07:20 PM
spleener....looks gr8!!!  enjoy your new look and keep us posted on the sly reactions. O0

WARHAWK O0
Title: Re: No guard...
Post by: Rob on February 10, 2008, 09:37:52 AM
Congrats, Sleener.  there's no goin back now.  Lookin good 8)
Title: Re: No guard...
Post by: xnewyawka on February 12, 2008, 11:22:13 PM
Spleener, welcome to the SBG site, and it does look great!, doesn't it feel great too?
Nothing like the freshly shaven dome, man!
Keep it smooth bro.   O0