18|8 an interesting take on the straight shave

My buddy got hitched yesterday and he and the groomsmen, me included, went to 18|8 in Lafayette, ca. From the outside everything looked good, inside they had refreshments, beer included, some fairly attractive women who were to perform said straight shaves.

After being seated a hairdresser/barber (?) introduced herself asked me if I ever had a straight shave before, I replied "everyday", which spurred a quick conversation on how and why I got started. She started in with a hot towel then some sort of gel,another hot towel some more gel, and got to work. She started wtg feeling her way around and mapping my beard before each series of short strokes. After finishing the first pass she asked me how it was going and I replied nicely what blade are you using( apparently they are required to use shavettes for health reasons, which made no sense to either one of us) to which she answered, derby, a nice smooth shave btw. Now onto the second pass and where things got interesting, she pulls out a pj electric shaver and does a pass on my neck, sits me up and asks well what do you think? Befuddled, all I could come up with was, ok? Sheescorted me back to the front desk where they charged me $31 and asked what could be better. Not wanting to shit on mybuddies day, I just said it could be closer.

The overwhelming consensus was how had this place stayed open so long, every one of us either needed to shave again or at least touch up. What really surprises me is that this chain is all over the place. Mind you the idea is good, but poorly executed.

I guess the take away is to always ask what a classic straight shave actually means, because last I checked it didn't include an electric razor.

When you don't know it's easy to be bamboozled.

In your case you knew.

That is a funny story. Finishing a straight razor shave with an electric is like making chateaubriand and serving it with ketchup

Things are not much different @ non traditional barber/salons. TAoS, 18/8, and a few others I won't mention, are trying to cater to men w/a salon pampering. While this is okay for some, it isn't for every man.
Traditional Barber, it is not. But it is an attempt to bridge the gap.
As far as the health code issue. Unfortunately it is true. A new blade per individual, (for sanitary & bloodborne reasons) is law.

Section 4 of British Columbia Health Code for public establishments:

B.C. Reg. 202/83 Filed June 17, 1983 O.C. 912/83 Health Act PERSONAL SERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS REGULATION

Sterilization & Disinfection A. Equipment, instruments and materials used in personal service establishments all fall into one of the following categories and must be either sterilized or disinfected accordingly: i) CRITICAL ITEMS: Defined as those items which puncture the skin, or enter sterile tissue e.g. body piercing instruments, tattooing needles, and razors. CRITICAL ITEMS must be purchased as sterile and properly disposed of after a single use, or sterilized between each use as per Appendix A. Sterilization is considered to be the complete destruction of microbial life. Heat sterilization should be used whenever possible. A chemical sterilant may also be used if precise controls on organic load, shelf life, contact time, temperature and pH are ensured. Manufacturer’s directions must be followed in all cases. When sterilizing “critical items”, the method used for effectiveness (e.g. time/temperature test strips in autoclaves) must be monitored. NOTE: Sharp objects which can be expected to puncture the skin can transmit HIV if used on consecutive clients. Most people are aware that this applies to needles and scalpels, but it is also important to note that razors used for shaving also have this potential. Though very rare, documented transmissions through the use of a common razor in a household setting have occurred. The transmission of the Hepatitis B virus by shared razors is also possible. Theoretically, any disease-causing agent found in blood could be transmitted in this manner. Therefore, barbers who shave customers are advised to use a new, disposable razor for each client. If a straight razor is to be re-used, only those modes of sterilization deemed appropriate for “Critical Items” (above) will suffice. Methods may include steam autoclave or 100% undiluted bleach for 30 minutes. Diluted bleach may not suffice.

I'm sure since '83 everyone is required to comply.
I heard Friday while in Oakland, Ca at. local barber supply, a fine of $2500 and up to $4700 can be evoked as a violation and not limited to but can include loss of cosmetology license.

Yes, shavettes must be the law around here too. Haven't seen a barber use a SR in too many years. I did see a young guy shaving a customer with a shavette for the first time last fall. When I told him that I was surprised to see someone was using a shavette he was surprised too because he thought he was using a straight razor, kids eh.

Bob

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Originally Posted by BobH

Yes, shavettes must be the law around here too. Haven't seen a barber use a SR in too many years. I did see a young guy shaving a customer with a shavette for the first time last fall. When I told him that I was surprised to see someone was using a shavette he was surprised too because he thought he was using a straight razor, kids eh.

Bob

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I,ve shown my barber the collection I've started thanks to him. There is a Erik Anton Berg he likes, because of it's thin &light real. He said bring them by the next time you wanna shave and I'll use your razors.

That's one way to get around the law. Gonna have to take him up on it. I enjoy his adaptation of "The Royal".

I heard conflicting stories ,, the law according to some of the barbers ive talked to doesn't require it to be disposable, that most just don't want to say that its easier that having the equipment to sterilize ,, but maybe some of our barbers will clarify, tc

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Originally Posted by lethalgraphix

...Theoretically, any disease-causing agent found in blood could be transmitted in this manner. Therefore, barbers who shave customers are advised to use a new, disposable razor for each client. If a straight razor is to be re-used, only those modes of sterilization deemed appropriate for “Critical Items” (above) will suffice. Methods may include steam autoclave or 100% undiluted bleach for 30 minutes. Diluted bleach may not suffice.
...

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Yes. What another great idea from politicians that wouldn't know a proper razor from a pair of office scissors. That's exactly what you want to do with finely made professional steel equipment (that your required to buy "new & sterile" by law) that is thin down to a near atomic level. Leave it sit in pure bleach for half an hour!

:overkill:

That's overkill, even if you were using nothing more than bleach and water to sterilize a public bathroom! Diluted, at ratios that escape me right now, is all that is needed for things like toilets.

On topic: Indiana doesn't seem to require shavettes (Barbercide is, though), but you aren't likely to find a barber using anything else.

I go to a slightly more old-fashioned barber shop. Five chairs in a corner formation. No hair washing station. No answering machine. A flattop is $16. And there are painted portraits of the retired barbers on the walls. My barber said he uses a straight on customers sometimes, and in another conversation said he hasn't used his real SR since barber school (they were required to learn on it). It's just sitting in a drawer of his booth :cry:.

/ramble

The barber down the street from me said he would use one of my straights if I would like to bring one in.

In regards to 18|8 I don't understand why they don't do at least an Atg pass.

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Originally Posted by RezDog

That is a funny story. Finishing a straight razor shave with an electric is like making chateaubriand and serving it with ketchup

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Well . . . Dijon ketchup, right? And yeah . . . Ontario law requires shavettes for public health reasons. Doesn't say squat about those towels, though . . .

Where I grew up (san jose Calif) we had a Barber school on post street,Haircuts and shaves were free.
Haircuts were okay,First SR shave I had I felt I needed a blood tranfusion when done:)

Ah, yes. We, too, have a few cosmo schools here in town that dont charge for a cut. Never thought about a SR shave, though. I'm a noob, but still probably wouldn't do any worse than the student. And I'd be a hell of a lot less nervous if I were the one holding the razor, too! Lol.

I have told this story before, maybe even elsewhere on this site, but my regular shop had a GREAT guy who would do Straight shaves in the traditional manner. One of the last times I went he was no longer with the Shop, and the new guy had little experience (copped to me being his FIRST later). I told him to suit up and lets go . . . he did my scalp with no issues, and then went back to the hot towels before starting on my face (Yeah . . . he took his sweet time). He again asked if I was sure that I wanted him working on my throat. I told him he had to learn sometime. Long story short, the shave was good, not great. BUT, because I broke the guy's cherry, the Owner told me it was on the house. So a $30.00 tab was now gratis for providing a newb the experience. Gave him a ten-spot for not letting the wife cash the Insurance and headed out the door. Best part was that a couple months down the road, the guy remembered me (You always remember your first, right?) and that one was free too.