Thread: barber help

So here goes...

I went to my barber shop today ("Crown Barber" in Coranado Ca.) and we got on the subject of wet shaving. He then told me he had some straights and he cant get them sharp enough to shave with. I told him I hone my own razors. He was only using a barber hone. He showed me his razors and he had a REALLY nice vintage C-MON Cadillac and that was about it. He told me that he wants me to come in and show/hone his razor and another barbers razor. He is in his 60s and he is really nice guy and I want to help but I am unsure.


My issue is this... I have honed 10 or so razors and they are all shave ready to my standards. I am not Lynn or Glen and I don't claim to be. I know I will get it shave ready without any damage but I don't want to give the impression I know more than I do. He is older and I know he doesn't have a lot of money from previous conversations so I really want to help but like I said... I don't want these guys to think I am some kind of professional. Plus... I love the thought of expanding our community. Another issue is I don't want to take money away from the guys who do this for a profession even though it would only be a one time thing.

I guess it also has to do with me always asking you guys for advice rather than me being the one who is looked to for the advice.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks guys.

Help the guys out, and while you're at it show them one of the videos of Lynn or Glen doing it. I'd be sure to tell them your not an expert, but you think you can get them to shave ready for them.

Thanks Hargoldg. I explained to him I am pretty good on razor knowledge but honing I am still pretty new with and he didn't mind at all.

You might take one of his to try for him. A dull one for certain. Remember to ask, he probably hones with no tape so he can touch up on a barber hone.
~Richard

Originally Posted by Redcane

So here goes...

I went to my barber shop today ("Crown Barber" in Coranado Ca.) and we got on the subject of wet shaving. He then told me he had some straights and he cant get them sharp enough to shave with. I told him I hone my own razors. He was only using a barber hone. He showed me his razors and he had a REALLY nice vintage C-MON Cadillac and that was about it. He told me that he wants me to come in and show/hone his razor and another barbers razor. He is in his 60s and he is really nice guy and I want to help but I am unsure.


My issue is this... I have honed 10 or so razors and they are all shave ready to my standards. I am not Lynn or Glen and I don't claim to be. I know I will get it shave ready without any damage but I don't want to give the impression I know more than I do. He is older and I know he doesn't have a lot of money from previous conversations so I really want to help but like I said... I don't want these guys to think I am some kind of professional. Plus... I love the thought of expanding our community. Another issue is I don't want to take money away from the guys who do this for a profession even though it would only be a one time thing.

I guess it also has to do with me always asking you guys for advice rather than me being the one who is looked to for the advice.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks guys.

I think its great that you are aware of your own limitations. I also think that if you are honest with him and you can help him why not? You don't have to be a honemeister to help someone out as long as you are up front about your skill level I don't see a problem. Especially if you can connect him to some great videos and maybe with SRP for more information. If it's a one time thing and you are teaching him "to fish" on his own then maybe you can do it without asking for $. Just my 2c.

Dude you so got this. Jump in. Do him a solid and you will gain experience and confidence. I know your guts will be rumbling and your lower end will be so tight you could make diamonds from coal between your butt checks. You HAVE to do this. Why ??? Because you know how. Its not how fast you hone its the direction you go in. You shave with a straight correct?? Then do for him what you do for yourself. You are good enough, more than. If you do nothing a fine razor stays out of service. When you make him happy, he will remember you down the road. Go slow and follow your routine. It will go better than you expect.

The guy is a professional barber and he can't get his straights sharp? What's wrong with that picture? I hope he doesn't give straight shaves in his shop.

I don't see any reason not to help him out.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

The guy is a professional barber and he can't get his straights sharp? What's wrong with that picture? I hope he doesn't give straight shaves in his shop.

I don't see any reason not to help him out.

Unless he entered barber school of late then you would think shaving and honing would have been taught when he attended. 40 years ago people were getting SR shaves

They all use shavettes. I don't think they can actually use straights. It's for his personal use.

Ultrasoundguy I am going next Wedesday. Thanks brother. Much appreciated. I am going to do what you said...nice and slow. I will let you guys know how it goes.