# How can I get a flat flattop when cutting my own hair? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 18, 2011, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-a-flat-flattop-when-cutting-my-own-hair/571763 "2011-02-18T01:35:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Superhal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2011, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-a-flat-flattop-when-cutting-my-own-hair/571763/1 "2011-02-18T01:35:58Z")
I got a home haircutting system, and I want to clean up my flattop this weekend. How can I get a really flat flattop when I cut it myself? ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2011, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-a-flat-flattop-when-cutting-my-own-hair/571763/2 "2011-02-18T01:41:03Z")
It would help if you say what system you have, or at least describe it. ---
**Author:** ![Meme\_Chose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2acd7d/32.png) [@Meme\_Chose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meme_Chose)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2011, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-a-flat-flattop-when-cutting-my-own-hair/571763/3 "2011-02-18T01:45:00Z")
Wet your hair and comb straight. Place a paper plate on the floor with about half an inch of paint in it. Dip your head into it. Let dry, and cut off the colored parts. ---
**Author:** ![chicken\_wire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a88e4f/32.png) [@chicken\_wire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chicken_wire)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2011, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-a-flat-flattop-when-cutting-my-own-hair/571763/4 "2011-02-18T01:46:59Z")
Back when flattops were cool (1990?), I remember seeing a large comb-like device with a bubble level built into it. Other than that, and a bunch of disparaging comments about flattops belonging safely back in 1990, I’ve got nothing. ---
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2011, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-a-flat-flattop-when-cutting-my-own-hair/571763/5 "2011-02-18T01:47:42Z")
I can’t imagine how one could do a proper flattop without professional help. I used to wear a flattop, and I was amazed at how much time it took my barber to do a good job of it. Then I realized that the tolerances are much closer. ---
**Author:** ![Heyoka13](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Heyoka13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heyoka13)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2011, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-a-flat-flattop-when-cutting-my-own-hair/571763/6 "2011-02-18T01:48:09Z")
Hi power green laser pointer? ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2011, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-a-flat-flattop-when-cutting-my-own-hair/571763/7 "2011-02-18T02:15:10Z")
[Flowbee?](http://www.flowbee.com/info_testimonials.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2011, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-a-flat-flattop-when-cutting-my-own-hair/571763/8 "2011-02-18T04:15:21Z")
You will need a [flat top comb](http://www.wwbeautystore.com/shopping/hair-clippers/283.jpg). I have also had flat tops and found many stylists have trouble doing it, it’d be hard but I think it could be done. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2011, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-a-flat-flattop-when-cutting-my-own-hair/571763/9 "2011-02-18T04:23:24Z")
> [@Superhal](#): > > I got a home haircutting system, and I want to clean up my flattop this weekend. How can I get a really flat flattop when I cut it myself? Would it be too much to ask you to put the attempt on YouTube? ---
**Author:** ![flickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7bcc69/32.png) [@flickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flickster)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2011, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-a-flat-flattop-when-cutting-my-own-hair/571763/10 "2011-02-18T04:28:48Z")
carefully position your head on the table saw, tun on the blade and slide your head forward… ---
**Author:** ![Superhal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2011, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-a-flat-flattop-when-cutting-my-own-hair/571763/11 "2011-02-18T05:16:53Z")
> [@ZenBeam](#): > > It would help if you say what system you have, or at least describe it. [This one.](http://www.remingtonproducts.com/en/ForMen/Groomers/PersonalGroomers/Remington%208-in-1%20Personal%20Grooming%20System.aspx) > [@minor7flat5](#): > > I used to wear a flattop, and I was amazed at how much time it took my barber to do a good job of it. Then I realized that the tolerances are much closer. One barber takes forever and all she does is eye my head in the mirror like she’s taking a shot in pool, one flick of the razor, eye again, etc. Another barber can do it in 10 minutes. I think both of them are angling for a bigger tip but for different reasons. > [@Czarcasm](#): > > Would it be too much to ask you to put the attempt on YouTube? Is this some sort of sick shaving fetish? ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2011, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-a-flat-flattop-when-cutting-my-own-hair/571763/12 "2011-02-18T05:23:35Z")
> [@Superhal](#): > > I got a home haircutting system,… > [@Superhal](#): > > [This one.](http://www.remingtonproducts.com/en/ForMen/Groomers/PersonalGroomers/Remington%208-in-1%20Personal%20Grooming%20System.aspx) A system? When the hell did a home barber’s electric razor be called a system? ---
**Author:** ![Superhal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2011, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-a-flat-flattop-when-cutting-my-own-hair/571763/13 "2011-02-18T05:24:24Z")
> [@Duckster](#): > > A system? When the hell did a home barber’s electric razor be called a system? When I decided “system” was easier to type than “8-in-1 Groomer” ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2011, 9:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-a-flat-flattop-when-cutting-my-own-hair/571763/14 "2011-02-18T09:01:02Z")
Is one of the functions a lightsaber? ---
**Author:** ![MegaBee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f0a364/32.png) [@MegaBee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MegaBee)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2011, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-a-flat-flattop-when-cutting-my-own-hair/571763/15 "2011-02-18T12:12:04Z")
Are you white or black?