Thread: barber shaves

I've had a thought and noticed in the last while in my city in which I live, that the number of barbers have started doing shaves. Which in its self isn't a bad thing. But I've been to a few and in the process of the shave and talking find out they can't c have themselves. To me this ain't right. Seems they are just doing it because it's now trendy. Any on else have a similar experience and thoughts.

Originally Posted by FYNNPETE

I've had a thought and noticed in the last while in my city in which I live, that the number of barbers have started doing shaves. Which in its self isn't a bad thing. But I've been to a few and in the process of the shave and talking find out they can't c have themselves. To me this ain't right. Seems they are just doing it because it's now trendy. Any on else have a similar experience and thoughts.

You need to find an old school barber shop...the Italian barber I go to, he's a great guy, he's the one that told me he learned to shave in the old country, and now he could pretty much shave any amount of people in the dark....

As most know, they can't use straights anymore, so last time I was there, I asked him if I could bring a couple of my straights with me and he could use one of them, and show me some technique. He agreed, first two shaves he used my TI Spartacus, and the next, the Dovo Bismarck...never seen my blades move like that, and couldn't believe the shave I got from them - real opened my eyes at how much I have to learn. To see the shave he got from my blades, the sureness of movement, the strokes, was incredibly interesting.

I made sure I brought the strop, he showed me how to properly strop the blade, was like lightening fast, even showed me the palm strop which made me wince.

When I was done, there were a couple of guys watching, and they asked if they could have a shave with one of my blades, I said sure, but Sam said he couldn't do it, it's one thing with my own blade, but no sharing.

For me, it was a lesson in it never hurts to ask, and just like that, I get an expert shave tutorial and a nice haircut, and since then, I go to the barber far more frequently than I normally would.

Give it a try....

Just make sure that you go to a classically trained barber-- there are a lot of cosmetologists disguised as barbers these days, in order to attract a male clientele; unfortunately, they are not properly trained in the art of the straight razor shave.

That's the thing. I have a barber that learned to shave and cut hair from his dad since he was a young boy. And he is fantastic and way cheaper than the "trendy" ones. I can get a hair cut and a shave for $36. But I try different places just to see and they dissapoint me greatly. I guess I just need to stay put. I'm just wondering if other cities are experiencing the same thing

Originally Posted by FYNNPETE

That's the thing. I have a barber that learned to shave and cut hair from his dad since he was a young boy. And he is fantastic and way cheaper than the "trendy" ones. I can get a hair cut and a shave for $36. But I try different places just to see and they dissapoint me greatly. I guess I just need to stay put. I'm just wondering if other cities are experiencing the same thing

I have definitely noticed the same thing here in SLC. It's a trend that will go as fast as it came-- but the true art of barbering will remain intact and largely unchanged, as it has for centuries. It sounds to me like you have been fortunate enough to find a barber that is true to his profession, so as a barber myself, I would encourage to stick with him.

As I will and I let everyone who is looking for a proper shave know who and where he is. And not to let these fly by night barbers take their money.

I come from New York, and here barbers always offered a hot towel shave. These barber shop shaves ultimately led me to straights as I felt that the shave quality from the barber compared to a cart was so much better. After buying a straight and learning to use it I have turned the table a bit; and though I don't want to come across in such a way, I can easily say that once you know what your doing you realize quickly how little some of these barbers know. All use disposable blade shavettes of course.... Te angle the use is much different and the strokes they use are lack luster..... This is a bit of a generalization..... I'm sure there's barbers out there who are true professionals- but I'm yet to find a barber to shave me better then I shave myself. It is nice to sit back and relax though... I know for $12 at my local shop that I use to go to you get 2. Hot towels and a face message with your shave and it's real nice...

Unfortunately i recently divorced my barber of 15 years (long story). The new barber I go to cuts hair like a champ- but after to getting the know the guys I wasn't about to let any of those ignoramuses put a blade to my face- but man do the give a good hair cut.

In short a barber shop shave can be a great thing.... It also may not... Depending on who's doing it.

I agree with you, once you learn to use a razor it's hard to let someone else who hardly knows to use one put it to ones face ns let them shave you. That being said I'm far from an expert I learn something every time I pick up my razor. But when the guy you go to can Damn near shave you with out lookin at your face and the other guy you want to give tips to, to help him shave you and your giving him twice as much as the real barber. Makes me angry so to speak.

Originally Posted by JoeLowett

I come from New York, and here barbers always offered a hot towel shave. These barber shop shaves ultimately led me to straights as I felt that the shave quality from the barber compared to a cart was so much better. After buying a straight and learning to use it I have turned the table a bit; and though I don't want to come across in such a way, I can easily say that once you know what your doing you realize quickly how little some of these barbers know. All use disposable blade shavettes of course.... Te angle the use is much different and the strokes they use are lack luster..... This is a bit of a generalization..... I'm sure there's barbers out there who are true professionals- but I'm yet to find a barber to shave me better then I shave myself. It is nice to sit back and relax though... I know for $12 at my local shop that I use to go to you get 2. Hot towels and a face message with your shave and it's real nice...

Unfortunately i recently divorced my barber of 15 years (long story). The new barber I go to cuts hair like a champ- but after to getting the know the guys I wasn't about to let any of those ignoramuses put a blade to my face- but man do the give a good hair cut.

In short a barber shop shave can be a great thing.... It also may not... Depending on who's doing it.

That's a fair point. The occasional shave from a barber will rarely surpass what an experienced straight shaver who knows all the subtle nuances of his own face can give himself. But, as you said, it's a nice experience to have every once in a while.

I've been straight shaving for 45 years and never had a barber shave. 95% of barbers in PA use the shavette so I guess I'm pretty much out of luck.............