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

Hello!

I am a third generation barber ...

But, when I went to barber college in 1991, no-one was using a traditional straight razor, they were using injector straight razors.
I am wanting to start using a 'real' razor in my shop, and I am hoping that I can get some good information from the 'experts' on this forum!

Currently I shave between 3-8 men every week in my shop (sometimes I will do as many as 5 in a row ...).

Thank you in advance for any, and all input I can get from you on this forum!
Joe Beardsley

Welcome aboard, Joe.
1) If those men are regular customers, I'd invest in a blade for each one of them for hygenic reasons.
2) I'd only strop the blade before the shave.
3) I'd wipe it down with alcohol after every shave.
As for getting the most out of this forum, I'd start with reading all of the help files. They're amazing. After that, if you have any questions, this forum software has a great search function. If that doesn't work either, we're a helpful bunch

I wish I could give you some good advice but have never shaved anyone but myself!
I am glad to see a barber here though! Where do you hail from?

Originally Posted by FiReSTaRT

Welcome aboard, Joe.
1) If those men are regular customers, I'd invest in a blade for each one of them for hygenic reasons.
2) I'd only strop the blade before the shave.
3) I'd wipe it down with alcohol after every shave.
As for getting the most out of this forum, I'd start with reading all of the help files. They're amazing. After that, if you have any questions, this forum software has a great search function. If that doesn't work either, we're a helpful bunch

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!

Originally Posted by JMS

I wish I could give you some good advice but have never shaved anyone but myself!
I am glad to see a barber here though! Where do you hail from?

I was born in SE Mo., but I am currently in the Chicago suburbs (Elk Grove Village, IL), on the western border of O'hare airport.

I think the main reason the "disposable" straight razors are preferred for barbers is the issue of spreading some really nasty diseases. So, if you plan to use any single razor for more than one individual, I think you would be wise to find some really strong disinfectants as well as antiviral solutions and develop a multi stage razor cleaning process to follow after each straight shave. Plain alcohol will not kill much, some people advocate bleach but it's still not great, some commercial cleaners will do; but if I were you, I'd use them all (separately, of course) just to be safe. This is as much for you as it is for your customers.

Other than that, you'll want to spend a LOT of time learning to hone your own razors (there's a substantial learning curve, but it pays off) as well as proper stropping technique so as to minimize your need for honing. A perfectly honed and stropped straight razor simply cannot be beaten for a great shave.

Good luck!

Originally Posted by Russel Baldridge

I think the main reason the "disposable" straight razors are preferred for barbers is the issue of spreading some really nasty diseases. So, if you plan to use any single razor for more than one individual, I think you would be wise to find some really strong disinfectants as well as antiviral solutions and develop a multi stage razor cleaning process to follow after each straight shave. Plain alcohol will not kill much, some people advocate bleach but it's still not great, some commercial cleaners will do; but if I were you, I'd use them all (separately, of course) just to be safe. This is as much for you as it is for your customers.

Other than that, you'll want to spend a LOT of time learning to hone your own razors (there's a substantial learning curve, but it pays off) as well as proper stropping technique so as to minimize your need for honing. A perfectly honed and stropped straight razor simply cannot be beaten for a great shave.

Good luck!

In response to the highlighted sections,

A. In the past I have used the Barbicide (by keeping my razor submerged between shaves), but the metal on some of the razors deteriorates from the strong solution--would the carbon steel be compromised by doing this?

B. What would be the best way to learn? I currently have 6 or 7 vintage razors (some are in great shape and of high quality), but I don't want to ruin these in my early stages of learning ...

Thanks ....

One of the options that I am considering ...

Using the injector for 'around the ears and neck' , and using the 'real' deal on face shaves.
This would allow plenty of time to 'sanitize' the blade, and also save the 'edge' for the work it was designed for ....

I think that today there is just too much knowledge about the transfer of diseases to use traditional shaving gear on multiple customers. Even if you keep your traditional razors clean using something as extreme as an autoclave, you would still have to deal with the strop which touches each and every blade used and can transfer viruses/bacteria not to mention the hones/pasted strops used for touchups etc. The disposable blade was made for a reason and it makes all the more sense today.

If you wish to provide the ultimate in quality and comfort in a barber shop shave, why not use the Japanese Feather Artist Club razor? With a fresh Professional Super blade for each shave and a skilled hand, your customers would be well served and no doubt would want to return to experience the shave again and again. While the cost of the blade is significantly higher than half a DE blade, the Feather razor and blade combination is infinitely superior to the likes of the Dove Shavette.

Barbicide and the like are NOT permitted for use on implements that are likely to cut or break skin, but rather for things such as scissors and combs that are near skin but normally won't touch, penetrate or cut skin.

I really hate to be a spoil sport (my dad was a barber and did give traditional shaves with the old gear back in the 60s) but I'd rather you stay cautious and avoid any lawsuits that might come about from using the old gear.

Regards

Christian

Originally Posted by kaptain_zero

I think that today there is just too much knowledge about the transfer of diseases to use traditional shaving gear on multiple customers. Even if you keep your traditional razors clean using something as extreme as an autoclave, you would still have to deal with the strop which touches each and every blade used and can transfer viruses/bacteria not to mention the hones/pasted strops used for touchups etc. The disposable blade was made for a reason and it makes all the more sense today.

If you wish to provide the ultimate in quality and comfort in a barber shop shave, why not use the Japanese Feather Artist Club razor? With a fresh Professional Super blade for each shave and a skilled hand, your customers would be well served and no doubt would want to return to experience the shave again and again. While the cost of the blade is significantly higher than half a DE blade, the Feather razor and blade combination is infinitely superior to the likes of the Dove Shavette.

Barbicide and the like are NOT permitted for use on implements that are likely to cut or break skin, but rather for things such as scissors and combs that are near skin but normally won't touch, penetrate or cut skin.

I really hate to be a spoil sport (my dad was a barber and did give traditional shaves with the old gear back in the 60s) but I'd rather you stay cautious and avoid any lawsuits that might come about from using the old gear.

Regards

Christian

Thanks for the very thoughtful, and informative response.

I can certainly understand the reason for caution, and am wondering how different the 'Japanese Feather Artist Club razor' is from an injector blade razor?
I'm sure my ignorance is blatant at this point ...but, I was hoping that I could get away from stainless steel blades. Are the blades for the JFACR carbon, or stainless?
Maybe this isn't the problem? Anyhow, your input would be appreciated!

Thanks again for your help ....