Thread: Had my first shave at a shop

I recently had a shave from an older barber in town. He doesn't do these alot, just as a request for people wanting something special.He uses a feather. He definately knew what he was doing and made it a pleasurable experience, but would only go WTG and XTG. I asked for ATG and he stated that he usually doesn't because it causes to much irritation for most customers.

I explained that I shave with a straight exclusively and it should not be an issue. He told me next time he will and to bring one of my razors in for him to use.

As for BBS it was smooth all around the cheeks and under the jaw, but he would only got down to the adams apple, from there he just used clippers with no guard. When I asked him about that, he stated he would rather have a customer with a clean appearance in that area than risk cutting them. Again this is more for him to give a pleasurable experience rather than go to far and have them burnt up.

The shave was not as good as I would have expected, but still O.K. and as stated, pleasurable ( I've done better, but I've also done worse). Nothing like being kicked back in the barbers chair, soaking up the smells, listening to the conversation and basically feeing a bit spoiled.

$24 for a haircut and shave ($12 each). If you've met me before it is a rip-off for the haircut, but a good deal for the shave.

It has been about a month since, and in writing this I think it is time to go back and visit him with one of my finest blades.

Jerry

Kind of like saying an auto mechanic who has never owned a car himself probably won't be competent.

Its all about training and experience. if a woman had the proper training and did shaving on a regular basis she would be as good as any man.

We keep going back to this issue that man or woman these people have no training in shaving and the ones who give shaves pick the skill up themselves and have insufficient practice so when you go into their shop your the test subject.

Barbers are trained to avoid giving a BBS shave because this causes irritation & ingrown hairs in some customers.

The barber shop I go to is owned by a woman and has all women barbers. The last time I was in as I walked to the chair I passed by a customer all lathered up in the recline position. I thought to myself, I'm going to see an old fashioned shave here... Imagine my surprise when I saw the barber shaving him with a disposable MachII. I thought why did the guy even bother?... but that's his business. After he left I asked my barber why they bothered to use disposable razors, it didn't seem worth it. She replied that the owner would not allow them to shave customers with straight razors- only the back of the neck. Somewhat jokingly I said, "Why not? She afraid you'll cut someone's throat?" She replied, "Yeah, that's about the size of it." She went on to say that they were trained to shave with straight razors in barber school but her boss would have none of it. Liability I guess.

When I first started getting shaved at a barbers it was done by women, they can shave as good as anybody. The problem as I see it is experience, how many men go to a barber for a shave these days, not many. Times have changed, styles have changed the AIDS scare of the 80's etc have all combined to make a shave at a barbers a rare thing. I dont care who you are, if you dont have the oppurtunity to keep your skills up, they will erode. When barber shaves come in vogue again the skills will re develop.

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

When I first started getting shaved at a barbers it was done by women, they can shave as good as anybody. The problem as I see it is experience, how many men go to a barber for a shave these days, not many. Times have changed, styles have changed the AIDS scare of the 80's etc have all combined to make a shave at a barbers a rare thing. I dont care who you are, if you dont have the oppurtunity to keep your skills up, they will erode. When barber shaves come in vogue again the skills will re develop.

I agree completely with this. Just because it's a woman doesn't mean she doesn't have the experience to be as good as a man. Shaving other people's faces for 10 years would give her the experience of a man shaving his own face for 10 years. With that said, like nun2sharp said, if she's not getting much business for facial shaves due to the decline in popularity then her skills could fade. (And likely have.)

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Kind of like saying an auto mechanic who has never owned a car himself probably won't be competent.

Its all about training and experience. if a woman had the proper training and did shaving on a regular basis she would be as good as any man.

We keep going back to this issue that man or woman these people have no training in shaving and the ones who give shaves pick the skill up themselves and have insufficient practice so when you go into their shop your the test subject.

I wonder if there's ever been a barberess who's shaved her legs with a straight razor. Just something to think about =P

BTW, this is my first post so i guess you all get an instant and upfront impression of my strangness. Huzah!