Skull Shaver Palm Review – Does it Perform Well?
Skull Shaver Palm Head Shaver
The Skull Shaver Palm is a head shaver among a range of shavers made by Skull Shaver. While it is the cheapest in the range, it’s a great head shaving tool that does exactly what it needs to do –gives a quick and close enough head shave.
Pros
Good ergonomics for shaving the back of the head
It gives a comfortable and quiet shave
Having only three rotary cutter blades makes it easier to use on the face –if a user must facial shave
It can be used wet or dry, but dry shaving is good enough
Easy to remove blade head and flexible blades
Affordable compared to others in the range
Better than the Chinese copies flooding Amazon and other stores
Cons
Negative reports online of the shaver not lasting
While the blades flex the head does not have any flex
Being a baldy head guy, I thought it was about time I started to check out these head shavers that might be able to give me a close head shave and possibly with ease.
The first on my list to test, use, and review was the Skull Shaver Palm, which I had heard plenty of good stuff about and some not-so-good stuff (update: I have since tested and reviewed many head shavers).
The company that makes and sells the Skull Shaver Palm (Skull Shavers) first produced its patented horizontal electric shaver body/handle in 2012. Their business has grown a heck of a lot since then, and the research shows they have made many improvements with their products, which is good to see they interact and listen to customers.
The Palm Shaver is the standard model from the range of head shavers made by the brand (Skull Shaver). The range includes the Pitbull Gold Pro, Pitbull Silver Pro, and Platinum Pro (and Diamond–which costs over $400 now).
I initially wanted to give these a shot with the standard as I felt the £49.99 spent was enough to test this company’s products. You guys living in the US get the Skull Shaver Palm for $39.99, which is a far more reasonable price; however, the reduced cost makes sense as the company is based in the US.
Video Review
You might find parts of the video review of the Skull Shaver Palm that I created very useful, especially if you need more visuals of the shaver and/or need to see it in action– head shaving.
Description & Features
Although named Skull Shaver Palm, the company states the intended use of the shaver is for head and facial use. However, we’re only going to buy and use this on our face because it fulfills our head-shaving needs (there are better options for facial shaving).
The main purpose of this shaver is to get a head shave done quickly, with ease, and as close as possible –for an electric shaver.
- Handle/Body – This is one of the main selling points of this shaver which is patented. The ergonomics are very good and enable users to use it in two very useful modes (see photos below). The main feature of this is placing your fingers in between the blades and handle, which makes shaving the head’s curves much easier, especially at the back of the head.
- Blades – A rotary blade shaver with three blades. The blades are large flexing and pivoting heads that aim to enable users to easily shave on any area of the face and head where skin surfaces change.
- Cordless operation – The integrated lithium-ion battery is charged up via the USB lead when plugged into the back of the shaver. The battery should provide 60 minutes of shave time, which is plenty enough. It takes about an hour to charge fully.
- Ear/Nose trimmer attachment – An added bonus is the detachable nose and ear trimmer. Just switch it over with the shaving blade attachment.
- Vacuum system – A vacuum system helps collect the hair within the shaver.
- Detachable blades – The blades are simple to detach and attach and can also be replaced with other blades purchased from Skull Shaver.
- Wet and dry – The shaver is fully waterproof and can be used for wet shaving and dry shaving. Suitable for use in the shower.
- Warranty – Buyers get a 12-month warranty covering products purchased by the company’s official distributors. You pay the shipping for returns, which many previous customers have complained about.
Build Quality and Ergonomics
The ergonomics are really good, and I could move the shaver around the back of my head when slipping my fingers between the blade head. Although it is made with plastics, it looks good and feels solid enough to last.
The Skull Shaver Palm, with its two main ways of use, works really well. I found myself returning more to just using the basic method of holding it while shaving, though, but the other ergonomically friendly position does work very well, especially around the back of the head area.
Blades
The blade system on the Skull Shavers, including the Palm, is one of the best.
The reason they are one of the best is because, like all other head shavers, the whole blade section flexes together. However, each blade also moves independently, and this improves how the shaver moves along the various contours of the head and provides additional comfort.
After using and reviewing many head shavers since the Palm, I found that this was a great advantage of the Skull Shavers. Only the MicroTouch Titanium Head Shaver seems to have this twin flex blades feature as well.
Cleaning and Maintenance
I found cleaning easy enough. It can be cleaned by dunking the blade head in water for a few seconds or placed under running water. I tend to add a blob of ant-bacterial handwash inside the blade area to give them something to clean with.
I don’t wash the blades after every use, but I always blow and brush out the debris. I clean them with water every few shaves.
The blade is easy to unclip and clip back on to clean inside with the small brush, blow out debris, and give it a tap on the sink (all three of these get rid of a lot of debris). The area inside is what Skull Shaver calls a vacuum chamber that collects debris while shaving, and this needs more attention at times when cleaning to get debris out of the corners of the collection area.
Skull Shaver has a range of blades that are quite pricey for the Skull Shaver Palm, from $19.99 to $44.99. All the blades, including what fits the Pitbull Gold or Silver, can be bought from Skull Shaver and used on the Palm, and once you stick a four-bladed head on the Palm, it becomes a Skull Shaver Silver (see photo below).
Charging and Battery
Charging up at first took less than an hour, and a full charge lasts for many shaves (60 mins runtime). When the battery is low, the green light turns red to warn a user to get it charged back up.
Battery longevity is one of the biggest issues I have seen reported with the Skull Shavers, and reports on the longevity of the product overall. However, after updating this and owning a Palm and other Skull Shavers since 2019, I haven’t had one break on me yet, but I don’t use them all the time as I am testing out other various products, frequently.
Despite getting a USB cord that can be used with an adapter of our choice or attached to a laptop or other USB port, Skull Shaver does provide an adapter. Many companies either supply a USB cord or a cord with the plug attached. It’s just good to see these nice touches added to the product!
Nose and Ear Trimmer
I’m not usually a fan of attachment that some with shavers as they usually do not work very well. However, I found the nose and ear trimmer very useful and easy to use quickly while I was head-shaving.
To attach the nose and ear trimmer, we have to remove the blade head and swap them over. That’s easy enough!
It’s not a major selling point, or it is not a deal breaker if a head shaver does not come with a nose and ear trimmer; I just found it useful and worth mentioning.
Ease of Use
Very easy to use in every way, from charging to learning to shave with the shaver. Not an issue at all here.
Head Shaving Experience
I must admit I was quite excited about giving this a test run last month and then using it a good few times before reviewing it.
I wasn’t expecting too much as I normally wet-shave my head with razors.
However, I was pleasantly surprised when the Palm performed much better than expected.
It does not give me the closeness of a cartridge or safety razor finish, but it is ideal for its intended purpose –easy and fast use.
I Tested Wet and Dry Shaving!
Before using the shaver, I would make sure my head was trimmed as close as possible with hair clippers without any comb attached. This makes for less work for an electric shaver or razor to do –it will be easier on the shaver and you.
The first time I used the Skull Shaver Palm, I did a wet shave with a lathered-up head and face with shaving cream.
I learned it’s best to lather up a little less than when shaving with a razor. I had soap and foam all over the place, and then, with less soap, it was just as good and less messy. I have since realized other shaving creams that are non-foaming can also be used that work well with head shavers.
During wet shaving and cleaning the blades up regularly, it’s best to shake all the water out of the blade head otherwise –you’ll get a load of water dripping all the shaving cream, soap, or foam off.
Dry shaving was fine but not quite as easy as wet shaving with this shaver. However, it was quicker and less messy!
Fortunately, I had no irritation when shaving. I was left with some small sections of stubble that were often lessened when I made more strokes while going against the grain, which is normal for shaving with electric shavers.
Overall, better than expected.
I did try facial shaving, and because of the design –it does not work well compared to facial electric shavers. It does shave the face better than other Skull Shaver models and other head shavers with four or more rotary blades, but it is still not great. Other users may get along fine facial shaving, which could be used when the usual facial shaver or razor is unavailable.
Value for Money
On the one hand, the Palm seems slightly overpriced because it is made from plastic; on the other hand, the cool and practical design gets the upper hand. Overall I think it is a fair price, especially if it lasts, unlike what the longevity reports I have seen say (I am yet to see a problem here, though).
—Costs: £39.99 USD – £49.99 GBP – €57 Euro
It’s the cheapest from the Skull Shaver range and is cheaper than others I have since bought.
Final Thoughts – Verdict (Who’s It For?)
Overall, I reckon the Skull Shaver Palm is a very good electric head shaver that gave me a close enough shave that was pretty quick. It is not as close as shaving with a razor, which is normal when comparing razors and electric shavers.
After using many head shavers since this article was first created, I have found having only three blades does mean it takes longer for the Palm to head shave–compared to some others I have used. If you do purchase the Palm, then shave every day or every other day, as this will ensure it’s a quick shave.
It makes a good travel companion, and it can facial shave when the usual razor is unavailable while traveling, but it’s not the ideal design for facial shaving.
This shaver would suit just about anyone who shaves their head and those new to shaving their head bald who do not want to spend over the odds for the first head shaver. Just don’t expect the closeness of a safety or cartridge razor shave.
