How to shave the back of neckline (without a mirror!)

Im a female.  Which means that by most social standards I am supposed to be a size "6" with long flowy, feminine, Jhirmack "bounce back beautiful" hair, and should enjoy things like fields of daises, puppies, and unicorns, all whilst riding my pale pink beach cruiser on the boardwalk with a basket full of cupcakes.  What would a girl like me know about shaving the back of my head?  Nothing.  Which is why I have enlisted the help of my male counterpart!  Apparently, before we met, he was able to do things for himself like cook, clean, and do laundry.  And every once in a while, I give him the opportunity to prove that he doesn't "need" me.  So today's lesson is how he managed to shave an even line in the nape of his neck without the use of my assistance, extra hands, or a mirror. 

Who needs a barber when all you need is a baseball cap and some decent clippers.

Step 1: Trim your hair

Take a second.  Is your dome shaggy?  Yeeeeeeaaah.   Now is a good time to take clippers to that mess and clean it up.  If your like this here male model, run the clippers right through!  This "do" is not for everyone.  If you seek something more tres chic you might wanna enlist the help of a trained professional. 

Comments

[DaveS002]

Works great!

Want to clean up the loose hair on your back or shirt when done? Use the compressed air can that you dust your keyboard or cell phone with. Makes quick work of it.

[InstructablesMunkey]

Just wanted to add my .02 and thanks as well. I just started cutting my own hair about a year ago and couldn't quite figure out what to use as a template for the back. Simple, straightforward, and ingenious - what more could one ask for in an Instructable? Well done.

[unaffiliatedperson]

thanks i wanted to know this. favorites and 5 stars

[notwally]

OMG! I did 20 years in the military and no one else thought of this!?!? I've been cutting my own hair forever and I still keep my hair in a short buzz cut and am going to try this tomorrow. Many thanks and my wife will thank you too! I usually wait until she's available because I'm double mirror challenged.

[angelabchua]

How did the hat trick work? I'd imagine it takes a bit of practice still to do it with ease

[notwally]

I've only done this once so far. I ended up with a minor slant on the hairline, but it was totally my fault and not a problem with the technique. I blame the 65 watt equivalent (14 watt) CFL bulbs in the bathroom and my eyesight. It still beats the heck of just cutting blind. Thanks again!

[rockbox666]

I use to use an extension cord for this, but I believe this is a much better idea. Tried it and it works wonderful.

[angelabchua]

An extension cord? I'm trying to envision. Would you use that as a guide to create a straight line?

[rockbox666]

exactly. It was a thin extension cord, so it worked. but I couldn't get the tapered edge that the hat makes, so your solution is definitely better.

[Dream Dragon]

I have cut my own hair for a long time now and tend to work mostly by feel, but this idea is an excellent thought.

[chrstn]

Gracias, Gracias... GRACIAS!!!!!!! (Thanks o sea)

[reddxx]

Wow! Awesome, ten years of contorsionism solved here :-) thanks!

[wyrless2002]

Bravo! Great job! Thanks for sharing. Ditto on everyone else's comments. This is one of those AH HA! moments, an epiphany; I grok this.

[XenoMorphPT]

Absolutely fabulous (very logic) idea... the logic ones are always the best!

I cut my hair for more than 10 years now, and finally thanks to you, no more mirrors!!!!

[notsosilver]

what a brilliant instructable!! i've been cutting my own hair for years and the nape has always been a nightmare. i've used rope, duct tape, my hand, and just plain luck to get it done, but you have provided the key! thank you for your contribution!

[angelabchua]

your welcome!

[myssi_pooh]

OMG you just saved my husband and I from divorce!! thanks!! xoxo

[angelabchua]

hahha! Glad I could help!

[jsil]

Very good solution ! And around the ear ? Any idea ?

[angelabchua]

I asked the master himself....And he shrugged. I wonder if you could cut like a paper cup down the center and use the arc of the lip... would have to be some narrow trimmers though to get all that in there....

[thirdt]

That's a good idea! I use my bandanna for that... fold it into a triangle, tie it across my face, and use the trimmer.

[angelabchua]

Oh! thats another great idea! A total hands free method!

[cocacola987]

will this work to clean up my neck hair if i am shaving my head, but not all the way bald?

[angelabchua]

Yup! Craig usually grows his hair longer in the winter to keep his head warm, and will use the hat trick to just clean up the neck. Saves him the time and money going to a barber!

[toekneebullard]

I've been shaving my head for years now, and have recently managed to master trimming the back using two mirrors and a steady hand.

Screw that crap, this idea is awesome!

[kikkoman7347]

Brilliant use of common items to enhance your life. And yes, Virginia (jk) men can help/fend for themselves. Tho, I must admit, having a better half keeping us straight is brilliant also.

[angelabchua]

whats the vow? for better or worse, through sickness and in health, through hair trimmings and male grooming? something like that right? ;)

[kikkoman7347]

I still think using the brim of your hat for a dye/template is brilliant!

[kikkoman7347]

Do you, Virginia, accept this, ugh, MAN, to have and to hold, even after a sweaty workout; for better or for worse; in sickness and in health; through back trimmings and body grooming, with and without body funk; to be your lawfully wedded dead weight; to become his better half and show him how to become a domesticated man and father?

WOW! Would that scare you at the altar?

My Wife was surprised she didn't have to train me as much. Maybe that is why all my previous GFs always wanted to marry me. Or, maybe they were too lazy to train a guy on their own. My Wife, she had to train me in a different culture. Now I can kowtow in Engrish (bad joke) and Korean. She regrets me learning Korean...heh heh...but now we have a secret language when we want to chat about F'ed up Americans.

Cute dogs BTW. Even the one with the mustache. jk heh heh

I think I'll show my Daughters your ibles on how to wear makeup.

[angelabchua]

Haha! Yeah, even though he can trim himself, I still offer a helping hand every once in a while. :)

[kikkoman7347]

SWEET!

[cingham]

I only started shaving my head because my neck hair would grow so fast...wish I thought of this when I still had hair to care about.
* * * * *

[hammer9876]

Brilliant!

[janettetsmith]

That's one of the best ideas!

[mountainmandan]

Great idea! Thanks.

[canida]

Simple and awesome. How did I not know about this before?!?

[emptymag]

Thanks for the best yet simplest "ible" yet!

[dewexdewex]

Star stuff!

[htmlinc]

Very cool! Thanks!

[Brishen]

This is something I very much needed