Thread: barbershop experience

Ok, I hadn't had time to get a haircut in a while and this past weekend I went to get one at the old barbershop I sometimes go to.

First thing my nose noticed - sandalwood - I could die right there. Then I sat with this old guy I haven't seen before so we have the normal small talk conversation as he starts cutting my hair. I told him I'm learning to shave with a straight razor.
He stopped, stepped few steps back, looked at me in complete disbelief and said - 'but why? don't do this, please!' He said it's a lot of trouble honing and stropping and I should use disposables instead. He had switched 5 years ago.

Afterwards when he realized he can't possibly dissuade me he told me it's a macho thing and he understands every young guy has to try it at some point, but he predicted it won't last more than 2 months. Then he kept explaining to me how much easier the disposables are. One interesting thing he mentioned was that for the last 7-8 years disposables have become so much better. Now do I believe this - I don't. I don't think there have been any advances in steel manufacturing or reformulation of the disposables (gillette gimmicks don't count) in the late 90's to warrant his claims.
In any case he kept telling me I should be very careful when shaving - so far I think I have been, but never hurts to be reminded.

It was quite a bit of fun actually - I liked to see his reaction. He actually is an old barber who owned a shop downtown, retired some years back, went someplace warm, came back and now he goes every now and then to the old-timey barbershop to cut some hair. Now he's 70. Interesting guy. I certainly can understand his position. If he hated honing and stropping and had to do it for all of his life to earn living, may be the high-tech bic disposable is his thing. Just like mine may be the opposite.

Well, I'll definitely be going more often there and I should ask him if he's got some razors he'll sell me.

Are you sure he wasn't talking about a feather? Those blades are disposable and therefore you don't have to hone not sure if you would strop.
I could never go back to a mock3 after using a str8..

I guess if I shaved people all day I might not enjoy it as much though..