Buzz cutting your own hair & back of neck area?

**cb91710** · 05-30-2012, 06:31 PM

Ya... one reason I started buzzing was because of the thinning on top... buzz makes it look more intentional, but also because I have ALWAYS had problems finding someone who could actually cut my hair properly.
I'm "blessed" (more like cursed) with wavy hair, and even at "barber shops", the employees are no better than Supercuts. It's been a LOOOONG time since I've seen a true "gray hair" barber who is actually a barber... you know... "Tony" or "Frankie"... with the autographed photos on the wall of local boxers you've never heard of and pinup girls from the 40s.

Like the barber shop straight shave, a dying breed and art in Southern California.

**slooby_doo** · 05-30-2012, 09:53 PM

My barber is a gal whose husband also runs a tattoo parlor where I've had some work done. She's a pretty attractive woman and very laid back. Yeah, I could save a few bucks a year by doing it myself, but it's more about the atmosphere and the experience than the actual hair cutting.

She's also the one who gave my son his first haircut. Now, at age three, he and I go together as kind of a father/son thing. Can't put a price on that.

**Cuttingboard** · 05-31-2012, 05:26 AM

Originally Posted by AverageJoe

For guys those of us with a buzz, there's no reason and no need to go to a barber shop!! I'll keep the cash in my own pocket, thank you. A buzz cut with the depth gauges is truly 'fool-proof' and even with a little manual dexterity and practice, it's easy to do tapers, fades, etc. so why spend the extra time and $$$$ when you can buy a nice clipper set for the cost of a couple barber visits? Obviously, if you have something other than a buzz, a barber makes more sense for you possibly, or if you just like to go there to shoot the breeze, but for me, I'll take the $$$ and time savings and the freedom and ease of cutting my own hair. Before I went with a buzz, I spent many hours and dollars at barber shops, but no more!!! :)

I have a buzz cut too #1 all the way around but I prefer to go to the barber shop because I get a straight razor neck shave. Its only $15 every 2 weeks. Couldn't be any easier or quicker for me.

**AverageJoe** · 05-31-2012, 09:20 AM

Originally Posted by Cuttingboard

I have a buzz cut too #1 all the way around but I prefer to go to the barber shop because I get a straight razor neck shave. Its only $15 every 2 weeks. Couldn't be any easier or quicker for me.

I get a much closer shave on my neck using a DE, usually my Merkur HD and I can shave it as often as I need to. Even though he DOES use a straight to shave my neck, it's not worth $15.00 when I can do it better myself with a DE. So in less time than it takes to drive one way to the barber, I have a fresh buzz and better neck shave and $15.00 still in my wallet------easy choice for me! That's easiest, quickest, and cheapest for me, and every bit as good. Wish I would have started cutting my own hair years ago.

If I had something other than a buzz cut or very short haircut, I'd still patronize the barber probably.

**O.G.** · 05-31-2012, 10:31 AM

A hand held and a large mirror and a steady hand is how I handle the back of my neck. Go slow start on the bottom of the neck both sides then try to line the bottom up or as what has been said buzz yourself then get a $5 line up.

**Cuttingboard** · 06-01-2012, 07:56 AM

Originally Posted by AverageJoe

I get a much closer shave on my neck using a DE, usually my Merkur HD and I can shave it as often as I need to. Even though he DOES use a straight to shave my neck, it's not worth $15.00 when I can do it better myself with a DE. So in less time than it takes to drive one way to the barber, I have a fresh buzz and better neck shave and $15.00 still in my wallet------easy choice for me! That's easiest, quickest, and cheapest for me, and every bit as good. Wish I would have started cutting my own hair years ago.

If I had something other than a buzz cut or very short haircut, I'd still patronize the barber probably.

My barber shop is next to an Irish Pub that I frequent a couple times a week so its easy for me to drop by and get a cut before a couple pints. It's a story of which came first, the pub or barber shop. I always tell my wife that I'm going get a haircut after work but sometimes I forget since its difficult to pass by the pub. She laughs and it gives an excuse to go back in a couple days. The pub has the best fish & chips in town...yum!

**bvance554** · 06-03-2012, 09:13 PM

Originally Posted by jkh

I use two mirrors to see he back of my neck to square/clean it up with a straight razor - works great (with a little practice).

Takes some hand ey coordination but works for me.

**rwdflynavy** · 06-04-2012, 03:22 AM

Originally Posted by legion

i don't understand the problem.

Mullet: Business up front, Party in the back!

**BallisticBurrito** · 06-04-2012, 01:00 PM

Found my clipper attachments..so happy to be rid of all that hair. :D

**AverageJoe** · 06-07-2012, 07:05 AM

Originally Posted by BallisticBurrito

Found my clipper attachments..so happy to be rid of all that hair. :D

Now take a bike ride------feels like being a kid again!! (I was raised 'pre-helmet', and am too old to start now!!)

**Amir** · 06-10-2012, 06:09 AM

The Oster Classic 76 clipper may be the best on the market.
It's built like a tank, and gives professional, barber shop results.
The Classic is a bit pricey ($120-125), but well worth it.
My unit came with two detachable blades (size #1 and #000). You can buy more metal blades, depending on how close you want to go.

**xero2099** · 06-11-2012, 01:38 PM

i buzz my own hair with a #2 guard but every few months i do have a barber cut my hair so i can get my neck cleaned up

**Colinallcarz** · 06-16-2012, 06:59 PM

I do my own hair, too. However, I always make sure someone can check out the back of my hair - my wife normally lines up the back of my hair with my outliner trimmer. However, I've done this for a while and my wife hardly ever has to get my actual head. I would skip trying to line up your hairline by yourself for now. You might go into a barber shop and ask for them to just line it up, too - I would imagine a little establishment wouldn't charge you much, either.

**DougieB** · 06-16-2012, 07:07 PM

I use a number 4 on top, 2 on the sides. 1 at the edge of the hair line using an angle where the tip of the guard is at a roughly 90 degree angle.
Then I remove the guard, set the clipper aside, pick up a hand mirror and look at the back of my neck. I lay a finger along the hair line covering the hair. Then I pick up the no guard on clippers and use my finger as a guide, repeat as necessary. Not perfect but good enough.