Thread: Traditional cut-throat shave illegal in UK?

Talking to my barber about straight razors and he tells me that reusable traditional straights are not permitted to be used due to health and safety reasons in the UK.

We all know why (blood), but is this true?

don't see why not. They are illegal in TX for the same reason. (that is, not legal to be used by a licensed barber... they use a shavette)

It's illegal in Australia, or at least in those parts I've traveled, for those reasons. I've even heard it's illegal to offer a honing service in a certain state for fear of encouraging the use of traditional straight shaving, but this could be a myth.

If your OH&S laws are like ours, it's very possible that the same applies in the UK.

James.

Originally Posted by jockeys

don't see why not. They are illegal in TX for the same reason. (that is, not legal to be used by a licensed barber... they use a shavette)

My barber says that is NOT the case in Texas, although he admits that most (including himself) use disposables simply because it's easier than maintaining real str8 razors. He believes some may be claiming the law won't allow them to do it, because they don't want to admit that they just don't want the bother....and many of the younger ones wouldn't have a clue as to how, anyway.

I seem to recall from another discussion somewhere, that in the UK you may bring in your own str8 for your barber to use.

Suppose you are a barber, would you really want to take the risk of using a traditional straight? Suppose one of your customers files suit against you for infecting them with hepatitis B, C or HIV? I don't think it is worth it. I wonder if you would even be able to find insurarance cover for using traditional straights professionally.

In a medical journal I once read that the male population of a Sicilian village had a high hepatitis C prevalence due to being shaved by one and the same barber. HIV isn't nice neither is hepatitis C.

BTW: Would you go to a hospital that reuses needles?

If you got insurance, you'd probably be required to either keep the razors in disinfectant (which would mean rust) or autoclave after each use (which would mean having multiple razors per day and a high electricity bill).

Disposable is the way to go if you're a professional.

I think that Barbers will shave you with your own razor if you brought it in for them to use. But otherwise its a disposable only.Paul

There are lots of statements about what is legal on these web blogs, most of them are second hand info--which is to be expected.

I looked up the law in California. Very few things are illegal.

Using X-Rays to remove hair is illegal.
Using several different mercury compounds for removing hair is illegal.

Using a non-disposable razor is NOT, absolutely NOT ILLEGAL in California.

If I were a barber, I WOULD use a non-disposable straight razor without fear.

It is quite easy to sterilize them against all the diseases mentioned in this thread, including HIV, and all strains of Hepatitis. Standard barbering procedures from the 1950's and 1960's would work--just like they did against VD.

Probably, however, I would have 20 or 30 razors available and rotate through them.

I would bet there would be people queuing up to get a real straight shave.

I have seen both used here in london,but it really depends on where you go.
Most of the better gentlemans barbers use standard straights on request.
Kind of like a "gentlemans agreement" if you wish.

But,in your more "fashionable" locations, disposables all the way.
Then again,why would you go to place like that in the first place?

I would rather go to Old Bond Street or Trumpers,where they have been applying thier art for over 200 years over a place where they provide paparazzi parking,if you get my meaning.

I've talked to my barber about this.
He says that legally (in Belgium) he can use a non disposable razor if he wants to do so, but that he needs an autoclaving device to sterilize razors between shaves. Disposables rule out the need for such an expensive device.

On the other hand, every single barber I 've ever visited, used a shavette to clean up the back of his customer's necks at the end of a regular hair cut. And they sure don't sanitize those, in between different customers.

I think the health hazard from shaving at the barbers is highly exaggerated, (provided that the barber follows basic hygiene procedure).
You probably run a higher risk being ran over by a car when you leave the barbershop, than you risk a disease spread by the barber's razor.