Thread: Advice for a Barber converting from injector to a 'real' straight razor ...

Joe,

Welcome! As a true straight razor aficionado and traditionalist, I really like the idea of a barber using all the "real" stuff. BUT... I have to agree (reluctantly) with the others that are cautioning you. I don't know what the board of barbers and cosmetologists, or state board of health in your area will think, but it sounds like a potential can o' worms. If you are allowed to use a real straight, I want to come to your shop next time I'm in your area for a shave!

Consider this though - from the customers viewpoint, I wonder if they really care, or notice, that you are using a fixed straight razor or a changeable blade straight. I propose that it's the total experience that they find memorable. True, there won't be the c'flop c'flop of stropping the razor (although many wouldn't miss that since they've probably never experienced it anyways) but you can still provide all of the "old tyme" amenities of a barber shop shave, or maybe you already do. Hot towels, hot lather, face massage, and selection of aftershaves and balms, etc. Give them the works at a reasonable price and I think that's all you need.

Just my $0.02

Scott

I would be willing to bet that in IL or at least in your county, the regulations will NOT let you use a traditional Str8 razor.

I get a traditional shave here in Southeast Missouri about once a month from my old barber, but I always take my straight razor to the shop with me and he uses it instead of the shavette they use on everyone else.

Randy

Originally Posted by Joe Beardsley

Thanks ...

I don't shave the same men every week ...

so having a razor for each customer wouldn't work out too well. But, I do like the suggestion about using alcohol for sanitation, currently I am using Barbicide, and an ultra-violet light sanitizer for the dry sterilizing.

I haven't had the time to search all the areas of this forum yet ...looks like it could take along time!
Basically, I am trying to figure out the best method for:

1. selecting good razors,
2. sharpening and stropping
3. best sanitation method for commercial use
4. also, some advice on prepping the face - before and after the shave

Thanks again!

+1 on checking your local regulations
once you've done that, there are several razors out there that have metal handles and would be good under ultraviolet. (Wapi, Dovo, French army razors) I'm not sure how wood handles would hold up, but plastic would cook and rot under UV.
Also wood can/will harbor bacteria.
Your best bet is probably the Dovo. It's all stainless, has great edge retention, and can be run through pretty much any sterilization process you chose. Wapis are good, but for your use they would lose their edge too fast.
Sharpening and stropping, The stropping part is easiest, Get a couple of strops from Tony Miller. A hanging strop for when you shave, and a paddle strop with 0.5 CrO and 0.25 diamond paste.
For sharpening, You are better off having a professional service your blades until you can read up and learn to hone. A good honing setup can be costly... Also it takes time and a gentle touch to learn to hone properly. I will extend this offer to you If you check your regulations and can legally use a regular straight in your shop, I will do the initial honing on your razors for free. (Although If I ever make it to your shop, I expect a free shave ) I would love to see traditional straights in a barber shop.


Sanitation: the best method is autoclave, but I'm not sure how the temperature will effect the edge. Second best is extended exposure to UV. ultra Violet light breaks down DNA, so it will kill pretty much everything given enough time. but it will not kill where it can't reach. so you would need to use a squirt of clippercide in your pivot area.(the pivot is not likely to touch or cut anyone, so you're safe there.)

Finally the prep: the guys have already hit on this

but you can still provide all of the "old tyme" amenities of a barber shop shave, or maybe you already do. Hot towels, hot lather, face massage, and selection of aftershaves and balms, etc.

read the barber manuals and other information here. Do the whole spa type shaving experience, and you can't go wrong.

Originally Posted by Mike_ratliff

Finally the prep: the guys have already hit on this

read the barber manuals and other information here. Do the whole spa type shaving experience, and you can't go wrong.

Originally Posted by honedright

but you can still provide all of the "old tyme" amenities of a barber shop shave, or maybe you already do. Hot towels, hot lather, face massage, and selection of aftershaves and balms, etc. Give them the works at a reasonable price and I think that's all you need.

I definitely agree with these comments. I will drive up to Chicago just for the experience if you do this.

I agree with the above posters that you need to check your local health regulations. All the discussion about honing and stropping and sterilizing I think are moot simply because you won't be able to get a license unless you use a disposable of some sort. Unfortunately, I think it is the same story for brushes, although I could be wrong about that. Luckily, you can get a hot lather machine to take the place of a brush.

With that said, you should be able to use either a Feather A/C or a shavette of some sort. I actually got a shave from a barber this past weekend, and he used a shavette. I didn't bother to ask what kind of blades he was using in it, but I got an incredible shave from it. So I would think that would be your best option.

As for creams and stuff, that is all about personal preference. If it were me, I would pick one line and stock all their different products (and scents). For example, you could have T&H or Trumper's stuff and just give each customer a choice of scents. And don't forget unscented for those with allergies.

Finally, don't forget about towels. That, in my opinion, is the trick. When I got my shave this weekend, the barber must have used 7 or 8 towels on me. A few hot towels before the shave, a hot towel between each pass, a hot towel after the final pass, and then a cold towel immediately after the hot towel. It was heavenly.

Hope this helps ever so slightly.

Originally Posted by Mike_ratliff

Sanitation: the best method is autoclave, but I'm not sure how the temperature will effect the edge.

An autoclave would be harsh however there is something called a chemiclave. They have been in use for a long time and seem to be less harsh on tools.

yeah, but they stink, you'd have to put a chemclave in a location away from where your customers could smell it... Plus the chemicals are expensive, and sometomes hard to find. My brother used to use a chemclave on his tattoo equipment before he could afford an autoclave.

like I said, the UV would work for all exposed areas of the blade, and as long as you don't filet anybody, you aren't going to get blood or body fluids in the pivot, so a blast of clippercide should work there...


This topic has come up frequently enough, maybe we need some references to barber and health regulations so we can see a common thread, and maybe understand why It's not allowed in so many areas.

Thanks to everyone for the excellent information!

After reading through everything, I think that the best way for me to shave my clients ...

would be to purchase a 'Feather' and some of the 'heavier' blades. So,

I don't know much about these razors, and I thought perhaps some of you who are knowledgeable about these razors would give me some direction as to which model would be the best for barber shop use?

And also, does anyone know the best place to purchase the Feather & blades?

Thanks for everything, and I have certainly learned alot in a little while here!

Originally Posted by Joe Beardsley

And also, does anyone know the best place to purchase the Feather & blades?

Classic Shaving is a site sponsor and has good customer service. Here is a link to the Feathers.
http://www.classicshaving.com/page/page/1240646.htm

Originally Posted by Joe Beardsley

Thanks to everyone for the excellent information!

After reading through everything, I think that the best way for me to shave my clients ...

would be to purchase a 'Feather' and some of the 'heavier' blades. So,

I don't know much about these razors, and I thought perhaps some of you who are knowledgeable about these razors would give me some direction as to which model would be the best for barber shop use?

And also, does anyone know the best place to purchase the Feather & blades?

Thanks for everything, and I have certainly learned alot in a little while here!

Thanks for information on where to purchase the feather.

Would anyone have information on which would be most suited to a barber's application? I will be using a UV sterilizer and didn't want to get something that would deteriorate ...

Thanks again for the help!