Thread: Barber Shops

The time will come, when I will need to hone my razor, and I don't have a stone/knowledge or skill to hone the razor. I also can't afford the risk of permanently damaging the blade either as I can't buy another one. So I was wondering how a barber shop would react if I showed up and asked them to hone my razor for me? How much would they charge? Would they be willing to do it at all?
thanks

If they use solid blade straights then I suspect that they will be happy to do it for a fee if not free.
However, as I understand it most if not all use disposable straights now a days due to saniraty and ease of use reasons.

Yes I imagined that most barber shops use straights with disposable blades for sanitary reasons. But I just figured most barbers probably use real straights for themselves and would have the skill to hone a razor since they do it for themselves.

I think if you went into a barber shop with straight and asked them to hone it for you after they stopped laughing they would think you were some kind of prankster of something like that. If they said they would do it I would run for the hills.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I think if you went into a barber shop with straight and asked them to hone it for you after they stopped laughing they would think you were some kind of prankster of something like that. If they said they would do it I would run for the hills.

Why run for the hills?

I think it depends on the barber shop. Going into a pseudo barber shop, really a beauty salon masquerading as something else would be a waste of time. But......we still have a wealth of knowledge out there in the old time barbers that are now in their 60s and 70s that are still very much cutting hair. Admittedly they're either not shaving people or if they are are using "cheaters".

However, those guys DID absolutely hone their own razors and I believe are worth at least asking.

Case in point: I recently asked two older barbers in my town for a lot of tips, techniques on stropping, etc. One, after protest from me, GAVE me Case Red Imp 132, a Dubl Duck Dwarf and an Economy razor. None of the razors have been used to actually shave someone for probably over a decade.

The Dubl Duck after a few passes on some chrome ox newspaper and 60 passes on my hanging horsehide is my sharpest most comfortable shaving razor I own to date. It's a dream.

In 10-15 years or so, virtually all barbers that actually had and used the skill that we apply in shaving will be dead and gone. That chapter of the tonsorial arts will be closed for good. I say get out there and let's start asking these guys for advice!

Oh, and I haven't tried this yet, but....I'm planning on going into some of these older barber shops asking if they have any old straights to sell that they have laying around. I'm willing to bet it would be a worthwhile thing to try.

Chris L

It's worth the asking. I wouldn't expect them to be in practice though.

Of course the razors I tend to buy cost about the same as one honing from a good honemeister and my hones only cost me twice that much. You might think about a second razor and some hones once you save up for a few months.

There are indeed old time barbers out there who are more than happy to offer advise and assistance with something they see to be a vanishing skill which is straight razor shaving. The barber I have gone to for years is in his late sixties and still working everyday. He has given me advise and assistance which has been invaluable to me in my attempts to become a straight razor shaver. Seek them out and ask them for their advise and assistance before it is too late. You will be pleasantly surprised at the responce you receive.
My barber also has a pristine condition 7 day set of Puma razors that he is considering selling to me as I am the only customer he has that has expressed an interest in them. Ask and you might receive!!

Originally Posted by wescap34

My barber also has a pristine condition 7 day set of Puma razors that he is considering selling to me as I am the only customer he has that has expressed an interest in them. Ask and you might receive!!

Suh----weet!!!!

Start tipping that guy double!

One of the two barbers I mentioned earlier still has his barber school issued hanging strop issued to him in the late fifties. I'm telling you it's the thickest (we're talking like 1/4" thick), russian shell strop I've ever seen (pictures or otherwise) complete with the telltale diamond grid pattern embossed on the backside. No nicks. He told me he's not letting that one go given it's sentimental value and I told him that I didn't blame him a bit.

Chris L

I'm definitely going to a barber for my next shave. Maybe I will be able to somewhat observe his angle technique, and how much pressure he uses. Plus I'd want to talk to one about honing. There's also the fact that I've never even went to a barber shop, it's something I'd like to experience at least once. I looked around and it seems like there are a few old school barbers left in my town. So I'm going to go check it out this week.