Thread: New Jersey health code??

Hey all,
Anyone know if NJ allows barbers to use real straights, not shavettes, etc? Anyone happen top have a link to the code or regulation?
Thanks in advance!!

I don't have the link, but I'm from NJ, so let me relay a quick story:

I go to school in DC, and when I get my hair cut by my barber down here, I always ask him to finish the back and sideburns with a straight razor, and he is happy to oblige. Also, they offer "barbershop" straight shaves, they don't use a shavette or other such disposable straight, but they have a LatherKing and all that great old stuff.

When I went home (to NJ) over the Christmas break, and got my haircut, I asked my barber there to do the same. I was shocked to learn that it is illegal to use a straight razor in a barbershop in New Jersey, both for straight shaves, and for finishing up a haircut. In fact, most barber's don't even have them around any more.

Hope that helps!

Appreciate the info! I had heard that it was illegal, but apparently my younger brother has been getting real straight shaves (or so he claims, he very well might have just paid enough attention to what the barber is using) on a regular basis. He lives in NJ.

Interesting concept. Gotta love lawmakers, lobbyists and health officials. You can put a shavette in the solution and the razor is considered clean. But not with a real striaght razor. And I know they don't change the blades between customers with the shavette. Maybe I'm missing something here...

Originally Posted by dward

Interesting concept. Gotta love lawmakers, lobbyists and health officials. You can put a shavette in the solution and the razor is considered clean. But not with a real striaght razor. And I know they don't change the blades between customers with the shavette. Maybe I'm missing something here...

Remember, if you are scared of an outcome...regulate/outlaw the object that could, if used improperly, lead to the outcome. That ought to solve the problem. Woohoo! Go Jersey! Another state with form over substance leading the way!

haha dward, what you're missing is that its New Jersey! Remember that this is that state that once outlawed serving runny eggs at restaurants because they were afraid of people getting Salmonella! What will they think of next?

Also, as an addendum, it is certainly possible that some barbers still use straights, in defiance of the law, but I believe that even shavettes are not allowed, but on that point I'm not sure. However, a lot of people who cut hair in New Jersey aren't "barbers" proper, having not attended barber school, but are "stylists". Also, don't forget about Pete Lorenzo, who continued to smoke cigars in his cafe, and allow others to do so, even after New Jersey passed the smoking ban.

I don't know of any states where barber still use traditional straights. As for barbers in DC, I always liked Camillo Bros. barber shop at Tenleytown. That was a while ago though and I doubt the same crew is there. I would think Camillo retired

Jordan

Even if the health codes don't specifically state or make reference to straights very often the language dealing with barbering implements is written in a way so that using a straight would by impractical like having to autoclave after each customer. Another factor would be insurance rates and the fear they would cut someone in this sue crazy society we live in.

I can just see it now. want a straight shave? Sign a release form like what you sign before you have surgery and you could still get sued.

I like to go to Puglisi at 21st and Penn or the Watergate Barber's. They do great straight shaves. The Watergate Barbers are all Italian guys, so I kinda feel like I'm gonna get whacked sitting in their chairs like Albert Anastasia whenever I go there.