Thread: In efforts to get a straight blade experience I left with disappointment

Originally Posted by ctufano

im pretty sure they change blades, because the lady was complaining about how much they cost (like 1.25 each blade).

$1.25 is cheap!!! I pay at the very least 2.50 a freaking blade for my Mach3, which is one of the many reasons I'm switching to straight.

amen.

unfortunately i dont like to make a scene unless soemthin has been done WAY out of line. i hated when i worked in my dive shop and people would even try to barter, so at flea markets i dont even bother tryin to talk down lol.. i need to get over that and learn to be a grumpy old man i guess

but, if it had been a straight blade the 30 would have been worth it. they did hot towels.... steam... more hot towels.. crappy dispenser "hot foam" blah blah. even give u free beer, except i dont drink.

theres another place in town that actually uses a straight blade i found out. and by in town i mean almost 45 minutes away. and i hear its pricy... but when u go in they cater to u. ask u what kinda music (classical choices) and do all this owkr on u... then they finish ur shave and give u homemade biscotti and a cup of cofee or cappuccino. lol its quite a place i guess

then i went to a barber shop here at my dads lookin for blades, the guy does striagh shaves for i think 25? but he uses the disposable which is fine for sanitation, but... looked like it was a striaght shave and nothin special

live and learn. oh well

I believe it was posted on these boards not too long ago that in many states and provinces it has become illegal to use reusable straight bladed razors in barber shops/salons. Something to do with updated sanitary laws and public health concerns. Unlike scissors, these blades can and often do nick skin and come in direct contact with blood. In order to properly and fully sterilize them regular alcohol won’t do.


Disposable straights are a whole other story, of course.

If you are really keen on getting a straight razor shave by a person who knows what they are doing, check around the Google Map of forum members. Maybe they can direct you, or, if you are lucky, you will find somebody who provides such a service themselves.

As for being utterly ripped off; I would not have sat through the shave. The moment they brought out a M3 I’d have said, “Hold on, that’s not the pony I paid for!” I respect the fact that you were diligent in getting multiple confirmations on what you paid for, but clearly somebody still didn’t get it. I’ve also had to work myself into the mindset of leaving nothing to assumptions when dealing with people I don’t know, and often, even with people I do.

Consider it an expensive lesson learned... and write that letter!

Originally Posted by Cobo

Maybe it's just me, as I know I'm one cheap so and so, but even for a straight shave doesn't 30 dollars seem like too much? I won't pay more than ten for a hair cut (it takes like, 15 minutes tops, tops to cut my hair) and a shave from a professional can't take much longer than that. I'd go twenty, max, if they were the kind of place to make it a real relaxing affair.

For a mach three shave I might give you a donut and some spit in the eye, but the donut would have to be stale.

I would have refused to pay up until the point where the threatened to phone the cops or something (it's easy for them to say they never claimed it would be a straight razor shave) and then paid, but at least my disgust would have been registered.

While I generally share this point of view, I've paid more than 30 for a shave before, twice, in fact. One time at a barber in San Diego whose expertise I am to this day still in awe of. I didn't realize it until he was done and my gf (now wife) and I kept touching my face, the shave was so smooth it felt weird. Even my best shaves if I press and go against the grain, I can at least feel where the hair *will* be. Not so with this guy. Turns out he was new in the area, was a master barber who while in Manhattan had even shaved heads of state (which ones, I didn't bother finding out). Worth every cent of the 35 he charged and then some. Shadow didn't develop until late the following day.
Contrast to almost double that price at Truefitt&Hill-which was a good experience, but nowhere near as close, or smooth. Cost my gf 65 bucks as a Xmas present.
Best budget shave I've gotten was at Crown Barber in Coronado. Shave (with hot towels, molle, hot lather, and a shavette) for I think 14 dollars including a haircut.
Anyway I'm rambling. I do believe it is a rip-off to tell someone they will receive a straight shave then lay into their faces with something that can be found in any locker room in the world.

John P.