Your Real Barber Straight Razor Experience

[Mike Smart]

It was having a shave by my hairdresser that got me into straight razors. While waiting for my hair cut I noticed that a reclining shave chair had been installed and my barber told me that she had recently been trained in shaving technique and asked whether I’d like to try it out. She had always used a shavette to tidy my neck hairs so I had no problem in letting her loose on my face. The whole experience was great with hot towels and lots of prep followed by two passes. Within an hour of getting home I’d researched and ordered a Dovo straight razor and strop and started using it daily thereafter - albeit having a DE at hand initially.

A few things to note - there is no legislation, that I’m aware of, that requires a new blade for each new customer. My barber just kept her shavette in Barbicide in between uses. Sadly, the labour involved in an extended shave did not balance against the opportunity cost of lost hair cutting revenue so it was a short lived experiment for her.

I always worry when i see implements in barbicide.
When you read the label it tells you once you’ve cleaned something then the liquid is done.
I bought it to clean sanitise second hand razors and i still use it to this day but once iv cleaned a razor i bin the liquid until i go to use it again

 

[Arsene Wenger]

Many years ago, when I was working just around the corner from Jermyn Street in King Street, St James - I used to treat myself once every month or so, to a shave in a small barbershop at that time in the basement of old Simpson's of Piccadilly building and this was where I learn't to shave with a cut throat razor.

Edit: Whilst I still own two cut throat razors, I tend to shave now with either a single or double edge razor.

 

[Twelvefret]

I am hoping with the closure of the Shave Den, we accumulate more straight razor interest.

 

[p.b]

I had a shavette shave from a local barbers many years ago. Just after the shave it felt great - super smooth and couple of hours later and my face and neck were on fire and red raw. No idea whether it was due to a reaction from the aftershave or because she over-shaved me but I haven’t been keen to try another one.

 

[JamieM]

Japanese Barbers, on another level.

 

[Twelvefret]

Japanese Barbers, on another level.

Thank you for posting @JamieM. She looks to be using an Artist Club Feather DX or DX type and the head is similar to the SS I use.

 

[Gairdner]

I have never been shaved by anyone other than myself and although there is a proliferation of Turkish barbers offering shavette shaves in our region, I have no interest whatsoever in that experience. I honestly would just rather shave myself.

 

[Twelvefret]

I have never been shaved by anyone other than myself and although there is a proliferation of Turkish barbers offering shavette shaves in our region, I have no interest whatsoever in that experience. I honestly would just rather shave myself.

I agree and would prefer to shave myself. One reason it I actually enjoy being able to use a honed or replaceable blade for a needed purpose.

 

[Chris]

I'm not convinced that a barber can do a better job than I can. I also would have concerns about being shaved by a female barber, she doesn't have a beard and all the theoretical knowledge in the world won't let her know what it feels like.

 

[Twelvefret]

I'm not convinced that a barber can do a better job than I can. I also would have concerns about being shaved by a female barber, she doesn't have a beard and all the theoretical knowledge in the world won't let her know what it feels like.

I am trying to understand or make sense of what you wrote concerning a woman not being able to shave because she cannot possibly know how it feels to shave a face. What advantages do you think having felt shaving provides? Would you not be able to shave someone's legs or privates because you've never felt it yourself?

 

[Chris]

I thought it made sense at the time, but then I realised that I know a number of men who will happily shave against the grain with a three-week-old blunt cartridge and shot my own argument in the foot.

 

[Twelvefret]

I thought it made sense at the time, but then I realised that I know a number of men who will happily shave against the grain with a three-week-old blunt cartridge and shot my own argument in the foot.

I recall wishing somebody still made those blade holders that my grandfather and I used when I was a teen. Then after the pot metal Sally's Beauty Store DE disintergrated, I began to look for a replacement. It never occurred to me to consider eBay as a source for those old holders.

 

[UKRob]

I'm not convinced that a barber can do a better job than I can. I also would have concerns about being shaved by a female barber, she doesn't have a beard and all the theoretical knowledge in the world won't let her know what it feels like.

i think the video showing the Japanese female barber tells you everything about her skill level - especially around the eyes. Many male barbers, especially Asian ones hardly have much facial hair but it doesn’t seem to hold them back.

 

[Twelvefret]

These are skilled professionals. Would we question a male obstetrician's skill because they cannot have a baby or a female physician performing a prostatic exam?

 

[Twelvefret]

Enjoyed a wonderful straight razor shave this morning, but now I cannot get up.

View: https://youtu.be/RWozK9hVDX0?si=7v6mva8fcZ4OiHZe