how short is too severe for buzzed nape with bob?

My wife wears a very short bob. Lip length and higher in the back, so a good 3 inches at least of exposed nape. Her stylist buzzed it (undercut too) to a 1/4 inch two weeks ago, so of course she's due! I'd love to buzz it with a #1 but with that much nape exposed I'm worried it may be too severe. I've used a 1 before but the bob was longer, maybe only 1.5 - 2 inches of exposed nape.
It's the tactile feeling of the close buzz I love. Her hair is not very coarse so even a #2 doesn't have that much of a bristlely feeling that I love. The #1 does.

She's mid 40's and I'm very lucky she indulges me.

What do you all think?

Can you post a pic?

Does your buzzer have an adjustable blade? if so its pretty simple!

Try the #1(1/8"), if she thinks its too short, it should grow to #2(1/4") length in about a week. I know what you mean about the difference in feel between a #1 and a #2. Go for the #1 and a pic from the back would be great. 

What does she think about going that short? Would she go even shorter, like clipper shaved with the 000 blade? It is really up to her. If she is open to anything, go for it.

I will echo the above posts and congratulate you on having a partner that is willing to play along.

What did you/she decide?

If you want a clear distinction between the buzzed nape and longer hair, try under cutting the nape about an inch up underneath the longer hair. My wife used to have a heavy weight line cut, and I would trim it on occasion and thats what I did. It gave that clean step you are looking for. As for what will the stylist think, who cares. If she asks, tell her you gave your wife a trim, no big deal.

update - my wife got her haircut last friday and it looks great - just above lip length, slightly angled so it's a good 3 inches of exposed nape. of course i told her i needed to buzz the nape shorter than what the stylist cut it. she let me do it yesterday.

i carefully pinned up all her hair in back and on sides and this time i went for it. i used the number one blade attachment (andis) not a #1 guide (i've learned the real removable blades cut shorter than the corresponding clip on ones). Using the #1 I shaved all the way up to the pinned up long hair and all the way around the tops of the ears, basically tracing the same path the stylist took. it is SHORT -very short - so short that i'm feeling i went a bit too far. i mean it even looks short to me!!   the exposed part already caught the eye of my kid so i know it's very noticeable. i love the tactile feeling of the #1 much more than even a #2. the 1 is more stubble, while the 2 is 'softer'. i guess her hair is not too coarse. i also love the look of where the buzzed hair 'meets' the longer, pinned up hair. this time i carefully shaved right up to this line.

i wanted to update everyone and also acknowledge publicly that i need to reign this in! it's not fair to her. next time will be just a #2 with a slight taper and won't go as high.

I think it has to be a personal choice whether you use the #1 which is 1/8th inch or the #2, which is 1/4th inch. 

I would love to see photos of the finished look.  Will that ever be an option?

When done properly buzzed napes look great with a bob.


Edited by gendolly - May 30 2014 at 12:54pm