Ask a question, get an answer

[belfastboy]

Thanks Robert! I was thinking of using a #52 block so I‘ll need to adjust my expectations.

When I first started hatting I was so surprised at how much felt gets used up on a square shouldered, no taper block. You could block it on the #52 and probably end up with about the same brim width as you have now. But it is a bitch to get it straight and usually end up with a slightly dimensional brim. As the felt gets used up unequally. If I understood mathematics it probably is explainable.

 

[The Shoe]

I have plenty of hair. But my impression of the situation is that stubble on your head is not as fashionable as stubble on your face. So, you need a razor and shaving cream (or a floating-head electric razor) to maintain the baldness. The thing you show is for cutting hair and you will only need to do that once.

I use a Wilkinson hydro 5 for my head. Once in 3-4 days i shave my head.

Been shaving my head for a long time. Before retirement, daily as I shaved my face. Much less frequently now, sometimes so that clippers are required before a razor can be used.

If you decide to go the razor route, keep the tissues and styptic powder handy as you’ll likely cut your head at some point. There is a bit of a learning curve and remember, the multi blade razors make multi cuts and the head can bleed like dammit.

I’ve used just about every razor available in a grocery store or pharmacy and some years ago I settled on this one. Blades are expensive and I look for sales, promos and box store buys but the shave is great and nicks have been minimal.
View attachment 652330
Recently, I decided to give an electric a try. This one came in a couple of weeks ago and I’ve only used it 3 or 4 times. So far I’m satisfied though it’s not razor close, one has to feel the skin to tell the difference. It’s close enough. Wet/dry use. So far I’ve found clean and dry to be most effective. I tried it in the shower and though the results were good, it seemed to take longer. I’ve yet to try it with a shaving oil. Cleanup is easy. Comes with attachments. Think I paid $50 US on Amazon.
View attachment 652331
View attachment 652333

Like others have said, Gary, you're best option is a razor and shaving cream. That's what I use.

As for altering your hat size, I don't think it will as your hair is quite thin.

Thanks for the replies, guys. I was also considering a buzz cut. Watching some videos on YouTube, I got the feeling that going from a head of (albeit thinning) hair, to buzz cut, to shaved, is a bit like going from no hats, to stingy brims, to wider brims. But I was also left with the impression that the buzz cut is not the best option for someone thinning from the peak of the crown.
I use one of these on my face, so I guess it’s probably the best option for my head, too. I’m not a fan of cartridges.

I was impressed with the speed of the electric head shavers, though.

Gary, as far as spacers for your hats. You can buy all sorts of weird stuff to use but the best i’ve found is felt.
I just looked for the thickest most dense felt at the sewing dept of Walmart and bought about a yard’s worth. You can trim it to whatever width needed, whatever length needed. You can place short ones wherever you want and double etc them up for thicker if necessary.
Cost a couple few bucks and you’ll have them forever.
Felt also grips the inside of the crown and rough sweatband and stays in place nicely.
As far as shaved head or buzz cut, doubt you’ll notice that much difference in sizing because you’re not a hairy monster.
B

If you currently have hair and DO go shaved.... you MAY need some spacers... start with something in the back of the sweat. If you use a good leather preservative like Pecards on the sweatband, it wont slide around too much

I have a few unused spacers for a start if needed. I actually also wondered if with the increased skin on leather surface area, if it hats would actually stay in place better.

 

[RickP]

Thanks for the replies, guys. I was also considering a buzz cut. Watching some videos on YouTube, I got the feeling that going from a head of (albeit thinning) hair, to buzz cut, to shaved, is a bit like going from no hats, to stingy brims, to wider brims. But I was also left with the impression that the buzz cut is not the best option for someone thinning from the peak of the crown.
I use one of these on my face, so I guess it’s probably the best option for my head, too. I’m not a fan of cartridges.
View attachment 652496

I was impressed with the speed of the electric head shavers, though.



I have a few unused spacers for a start if needed. I actually also wondered if with the increased skin on leather surface area, if it hats would actually stay in place better.

I went back to the old school safety razors years ago and have never regretted it. just snug it up and lube the skin. I dont miss the $10 per blade refills one bit. Add to that I actually have one of my grandfathers straight razors that I stop up and use on neck-lines. Guess Im going backwards tchnology -wise lol

 

[The Shoe]

I went back to the old school safety razors years ago and have never regretted it. just snug it up and lube the skin. I dont miss the $10 per blade refills one bit. Add to that I actually have one of my grandfathers straight razors that I stop up and use on neck-lines. Guess Im going backwards tchnology -wise lol

Yeah, I’ve been using that for about 3 years now. I’ve used electric and cartridge shavers, but this is just a far nicer experience. Still a bit scary going to a full head shave with it. I do have an alum block and hemostatic pencil to deal with cuts.

 

[Rmccamey]

That looks dangerous

Thanks for the replies, guys. I was also considering a buzz cut. Watching some videos on YouTube, I got the feeling that going from a head of (albeit thinning) hair, to buzz cut, to shaved, is a bit like going from no hats, to stingy brims, to wider brims. But I was also left with the impression that the buzz cut is not the best option for someone thinning from the peak of the crown.
I use one of these on my face, so I guess it’s probably the best option for my head, too. I’m not a fan of cartridges.
View attachment 652496

I was impressed with the speed of the electric head shavers, though.



I have a few unused spacers for a start if needed. I actually also wondered if with the increased skin on leather surface area, if it hats would actually stay in place better.

 

[The Shoe]

That looks dangerous

The change to a single blade double edged safety razor had me a bit nervous at first, but it’s a pleasure to use and causes less skin irritation than either cartridge types or electric.

 

[ScottF]

Not sure why my brain has drifted toward this subject, but just wondering: when various hat companies started marketing their hats in line with price points;e.g-'twenty-five','twenty','one hundred', were they planning on zero inflation? At what point did Stetson give up on the 'twenty-five' due to inflation pushing it up to where it needed to be sold for, say, $29? ...did they reduce the quality gradually over the years so that $25 still made sense? I'm sure this question has been addressed before, but I can't find it. Knowing how forgetful I have become, it's possible that I started a thread 10-15 years ago.

The above makes me think of the worst hat marketing idea in history: the 'Stetson two-hundred' for their new bottom-of-the-line hat.

 

[The Lost Cowboy]

Not sure why my brain has drifted toward this subject, but just wondering: when various hat companies started marketing their hats in line with price points;e.g-'twenty-five','twenty','one hundred', were they planning on zero inflation? At what point did Stetson give up on the 'twenty-five' due to inflation pushing it up to where it needed to be sold for, say, $29? ...did they reduce the quality gradually over the years so that $25 still made sense? I'm sure this question has been addressed before, but I can't find it. Knowing how forgetful I have become, it's possible that I started a thread 10-15 years ago.

I have a 50s JBS 25 along with one from the 70s and I have multiple JBS 20s from various decades and I definitely see quality decrease. Some folks really love the 1940s models but for me the highpoint was the early 50s - I love my early 1950s JBS 20s. The felt on the mid-1960s models is noticeably inferior (but still good quality) and then by the late 60s the sweatbands become thin and my 1970s JBS 25 has a thin black sweatband that is just not very comfortable at all. The felt is a bit like cardboard (much better than an Akubra, obviously, but markedly inferior to my 1950s 25).

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

Thanks for the replies, guys. I was also considering a buzz cut. Watching some videos on YouTube, I got the feeling that going from a head of (albeit thinning) hair, to buzz cut, to shaved, is a bit like going from no hats, to stingy brims, to wider brims. But I was also left with the impression that the buzz cut is not the best option for someone thinning from the peak of the crown.
I use one of these on my face, so I guess it’s probably the best option for my head, too. I’m not a fan of cartridges.
View attachment 652496

I was impressed with the speed of the electric head shavers, though.



I have a few unused spacers for a start if needed. I actually also wondered if with the increased skin on leather surface area, if it hats would actually stay in place better.

Prob be like a suction cup.
Sweatband is called that for a reason.
B
Ps: think i’d buzz cut it first and see how i liked it.
Save blood.

 

[The Shoe]

Well, I’ve gone ahead and done it. The place I got it done doesn't shave heads, so I got their shortest buzz cut (0.8mm). It didn’t feel as weird as I thought it would. I’m quite happy with it, but now I need to make a decision as to whether to continue with buzz cuts or to shave. If I go for buzz cuts, I’ll need to buy a cutter. I can’t afford to go to a barber a couple of times a week. If not, I’ll use what I have to shave, or go electric. I’m leaning towards electric as the one I have my eye on just looks so fast.