Shaving head: Balding clippers vs beard trimmer?
 

I've started to shave my head recently, and thus have been experimenting with the different methods to get a close shave; from very short, to totally bald.

Initially I used a beard trimmer at the lowest setting (1), and more recently tried a catridge razor (Mach 3 Turbo), as well as a Merkur double-edged razor, to shave the hair down to the scalp.

My general findings have predictably been that the razor shaves are closer than the beard trimmer, and also that the double-edged doesn't work as well on my scalp as it does my face; and whereas the Mach 3 Turbo blades provide the best and closest shave, they're quite expensive when considering how often one must shave their head in order to keep a fully shaved head, well... fully shaved.

Thus, in an attempt at finding yet another alternative, I came across something called a balding clipper on Amazon. In this case, it's a Wahl Balding Clipper #8110 ( ). The general theme of the customer reviews is that the clipper trims the hair down to a level on par with 1-3 days natural growth/length, but I am curious if anyone here has experience with a “balding clipper” and would be able to compare the results to that of a standard beard trimmer at the lowest setting?

I've been shaving my hair to the scalp lately, and while I like this look and appreciate the smoothness, I also realize the cost of cartridge replacements and the less than satisfactory results from my otherwise trusty double-edged razor. Thus, I would be willing to settle for some middle ground in the form of an electric shaver, and would invest in buying a quality one, providing it can provide a closer shave than my beard trimmer's lowest setting.

Thus, I welcome any and all comments or feedback relating to electric balding clippers and how they compare to the shave one is able to get with a beard trimmer at the lowest setting; specifically in regards to whether the difference in shave is noticeable enough to justify purchasing a separate electric shaver to use solely on one's head; in this case, mine.

I know you said electric, but have you looked at Headblade? I don't remember how much they cost, but supposedly they're really fast and comfy.

No idea, just throwing it out there, but what about those old fashioned barber switch blades they used to shave beards with? You can resharpen those at home, and thus extend its life by quite a lot. But I'm guessing there's some skill involved, especially using it on your scalp.

I think that would be a good idea until you got to the back of your head. You know, the part you can't see easily? You'd be sneaking up on yourself with a knife. I don't know about you, but I don't trust myself that much.

But the concept is sound. Most barbers that learn the straight razor practice on a balloon. I don't see much difference, especially as moon-faced as some of the guys around here are.

Word from a friend with a shaved head: the Headblade sucks.
I have a straight razor. I only use it when I want to look perfectly clean shaven because it's hard enough to do the part of me I can see quickly without cutting myself.

I just use the old Mach 3. Don't like electric razors and you get the hang of doing the blinds spots after a while.

Personally I just usually use a $10 set of hair clippers with no guard, followed by a mach 3. When I started doing it I'd shave every day, after a while I just started doing it every couple of days and eventually decided to grow it out again. Tried the head blade, I was less than thrilled with it. However, they do make a shaving gel that I like.

fusion.