Thread: Razors From India

Pakistan razors... maybe not today! But, what about Indian razors?

The other day I read that 50% of all shaves in India are still with a straight razor. Anyone ever heard that? Does anyone know whether good quality straight razors are available from India? (Never heard it mentioned here.)

An Indian acquaintance of mine has become interested in straight razor shaving (thru me), and is going back to India in January. A friend is lining up a few straights for him. And, I asked my friend to pick one up for me as well.

Any special "Indian" knowledge? Any experience out there guys?

I would highly doubt that. DE's yes but not straights. If that were the case we would see some real high quality straights coming out of India if tens of millions were using straights.

Originally Posted by LarryAndro

The other day I read that 50% of all shaves in India are still with a straight razor. Anyone ever heard that? Does anyone know whether good quality straight razors are available from India? (Never heard it mentioned here.)

Never heard of those razors but,,, 50 %? Correct me if I'm wrong but don't most men in their culture have beards? If that is true , straight shaving there should be a low number . Irrelevant if I'm wrong...LOL

My Indian team member says "a lot" of shaves in India are by straight razors. His friend in India told him there would be no problem finding him some straight razors.

I just called another Indian church friend, and he also said that "a lot" of straight razor shaving occurs in India.

But, "a lot" could mean about anything. But, I think it reasonably safe to assume that shaving with straight razors is more common in India than here.

Interesting at the least. I've asked them both to scout out straights for me. But, not to buy any for me if they didn't look high quality. But, I know this is a total crap shoot, with a high chance of disappointment.

Wandering from topic a little. But, I started the thread!

In my internet surfing on the topic, ran into an interesting blog about a trip to a Mumbai barber.

Myriad Images at a Mumbai Barber | Mumbai Metblogs

Posting some pix from the blog.

Notice the "Head Massage" advertised in the picture. Some months ago I read about barbers in the late 1800s and early 1900s. A head massage with some oil or substance, as I recall, was one of the most requested services from a barber. So common, it had a name, something like "Three Minute Rub." My memory is fading. But, there's a tie between the head massage here, and old-timey head massages in US I believe.

Best of luck with your Indian razor acquisition. I have had some luck with crapshoots myself, so hopefully you will too.

I am assuming disappointment, which is truly the most likely outcome. The adventure of it all!

The other day I came across a Youtube video that showed an American tourist with a hairy chest get a dry straight razor shave from a street barber. The video showed him get his entire chest dry shaved with a straight razor while sitting on a stool on the sidewalk. The tourist had a full beard, IIRC.

It will be interesting to see what you find out. I hope you find a gold mine.

When they say "most" shaves are with a straight - or flat razor - its actually a DE being referred to.

I'm working in Delhi for the next 3 1/2 weeks - been here just over a week already (tough breaks) havent had the chance yet to pick up some Godrej products to try out yet.