Okay, I'm confused.

So I've been lurking around here, reading up on razors, stropping, honing, and shaving. I've been a wet shaver for about twelve years, and have been pretty satisfied with the results that I get with my mach 3 razor.

So, for father's day, I asked for a gift certificate to a barber shop in San Antonio that advertises straight razor shaves. Well, today I had my shave. The treatment I got was really nice... Hot towels, beard conditioner, lather up, hot towel on top of the lather, second lather, then the shave followed by another skin conditioner and a cold towel. The whole process took about 45 minutes, I'd guess. All in all a very enjoyable experience, until I walked out and felt of my face. My $27 shave didn't feel as good as my mach 3 shave at home. Then it hit me. The barber never shaved against the grain. Is this normal? I mean, I've been reading on here where folks typically get shaves that are better than they can get with a cartridge.

I really like the idea of shaving with a straight, and I figure that since I've been wet shaving for so long I'm at least part of the way there already. But man, if what I experienced today is what you guys are going on about, then I don't see what the big deal is. What am I missing here.

You need to keep in mind, as much as a straight shave from a barber seems luxurious, they have liabilities by performing the shave also... Time is money. The faster your out of the chair the more people they can get in. This is usually the case. However in regards to what all talk about when we shave is, taking are time, relaxing and constantly learning about the intricacies of the shave. It's all a personal voyage everyday. Just to relax and pull off a great shave, nothing compares to it. Not only that, your more apt to going the extra mile for that BBS.

Well, good point.
IMO a good cartridge system, Mach 3 or Fusion, is extremely hard to beat using a single pass WTG. I understand that many barbers, do not shave ATG for fear of causing discomfort to their customers.
A straight razor shave can be as good or better than a cartridge, however it does take practice to get to that stage, the practice part and the accomplishment is the deal.

Been 40 years since I had a barber shop shave but, like any other skill performed by a person, the level of expertise varies. My straight razor shaves are as good, and more often than not better, than any other method I've tried. It was worth learning the art in the long run IME, though it may take some time to get to the level where you're equaling your cartridge razor. Whether it is worth it depends on the individual. Some guys like black powder rifles and other guys want the latest technology. I think the straight razor shaver is a man or women who appreciates the nostalgia of a bygone era.

Hello dow,

Most barbers perform what they call the "once over" - basically a one pass shave that consists of WTG and sometimes XTG strokes. They will not go ATG unless specifically asked to, and even then they usually advise against it. It sounds like your shave went fairly well, as I'd prefer a comfortable less-than-close shave than a really close but bloody mess. Believe me, it has happened to me before.

In all honesty a straight is capable of shaving much better and more comfortably than your trusty Mach III. I'm a reformed Mach III user and have been straight shaving for nearly 3 years, and I'll never go back. It does take time and a lot of patience, but if you're willing to do the work it will certainly pay off.

Barbers on here have explained this before:

Not knowing how your skin reacts to shaving (how sesitive it is) they won't shave ATG unless you ask them to.
When you get a shave from a barber and are explaining what you want, the magic words are "close shave".

Well, there you go. I'm learning more already. Next time I'll be sure and specify a "close shave." To be honest, I never considered that there'd be anything else, otherwise why even bother? Anyway, I'm now officially looking for a good razor. Lots to choose from here, as well as on the bay, so we'll see what turns up. Thanks for all of the responses, and for the patience with an uninformed newbie.

Hi dow!

I know where your coming from. My first months worth of shaves always ended in touch up ATG with my cartridge razor to get that 'close' shave. Now just 3 months later, heheh, I still have to use my cart to get the left side of my face ATG. I can't do it yet. It's frustrating too, because I have over a 100 shaves behind me now, and I STILL can't go ATG on the left side of my face. Actually the ATG I do on the right side is sketchy at best. I don't know what DFS stands for but I know the context. It's not BBS, but it's a good shave. That's about the best I'm capable of doing for now, but I keep trying. Someday, someone will show my what I'm doing wrong IN PERSON and maybe I'll get it.

Watching those you-tube vids and stuff is ok to get some ideas, but putting them into practice is a whole different ballgame. I don't like bleeding!!!!

So I'm content as can be, and can't WAIT till I get to shave again tomorrow. It is the journey that makes it so rewarding and satisfying. I feel as though I'm doing something unique and special. It's changed shaving for me forever.

So to HECK with the cartridges, and I look forward to the day I can do a BBS shave for myself.

I've never had a barber shave, but it sounds like heaven to have someone else do all that for you. That's what the money was spent for, not the results of the shave, IMO.

I for one appreciate your question dow.

Best always, and happy shaving!@

M

in my barber's experience, they won't give an ATG unless customer ask them. 1 time I asked a barber why they dont give an ATG unless the customer ask them to bcos not a few people that get irritation from ATG or the skin's just too sensitive for 3 passes, he said that he won't take risk by giving customer an irritation on their faces & get dissappointed. for example me face cant take 3 passes & cant take shaving more than 3times a week

Howdy Dow,

Mach III was my first cart when I switched over from disposables :O. I got a fairly good shave from them. I switched from that to something else (forgot what) then to the Fusions and ProGlides. I've only been straight shaving for just shy of two weeks but even my first shave with a straight was closer than I ever got with a cartridge. The only problem I have is certain spots on my neck that grow at funny angles and can't QUITE get it super close. Thing is, I could never get those spots any closer with a cart than I do with a straight.

don't give up on the idea of a straight...it's worth it!!!!!!!

What's that old saying "all show and no go". That's what you get from barbers these days. Plenty of atmosphere and all the fancy towels and scents and all that however what is lacking is the skill department. Most guys giving shaves in "barber" shops have no business doing it. If you could have experienced a shave from a barber back in the 1950s there would be no doubt in your mind what a proper barbers shave is all about and why men went to barbers for a shave in the first place.

You have to keep in mind that just because they are a "barber" and went to barber school doens't mean that they will have the same skill set that thebigspendur's 1950's era barber would. You went in thinking "barber" and BBS shave not realizing that said barber could go weeks without shaving somebody. Training is one thing actaully being able to use it and practice those skills is something totally different. The barber I went to recently (see my thread - shave and a haircut fundraiser) was good, and he delivered a very good shave. The next Joe barber down the street might be just the opposite. Sadly the hot towel shave is one of those things that are being forced by the wayside simply because it takes time. If it were as quick and easy as a canned goo shave more people would be interested but in the rush-rush attitude we have developed most people will gladly pass it up so they can have more time to watch Oprah or whatever other senseless b.s. they think they have to zone out on.

Michael

Thanks again for all of the advice and encouragement. This sure is a great place.

dow

Hi dow,

As the others have said, I find I get a closer shave myself that I do from a babers shave.

Try and get a copy of the following book by Luke Leadbitter - Teach yourself the Cutthroath Shave.

When I was starting out I found it was a great help on how to hold a straight properly and also what were the best hand positions for each area of my face.

It might help you with the left side of your face.

Stuart.

Thanks Stuart, I'll look for it.

Dow,

Wow it's great that you want to come over to the "dark side"...lol. But seriously, you will find you can get a much closer shave with a straight and with less irritation. The reason I started was that I could shave everyday 3 passes, With , across and against the grain and not have irritation and BBS. The skills you learn to do this is also VERY satisfying. When I used a cartridge it was a painful every other day day experience for me. Glad you want to do it, and you came to the best place for advice. All the gents on here are fantastic!