Thread: Do all Barbers use shavettes now?

I had a straight razor shave last week with a shavette, and it was great, but I am interested in finding any barbers that use real straight razors (as long as they are properly sterilized). Does anyone know anyone that still does it? I travel all over the country so please feel free to post regarding any state.

JL, it's a state-level law that requires the use of disposable blades. I can only speak for NY which has this law in place. You may have a hard time finding one that uses a conventional not only because of the laws but because it's a dying art where a new generation of barbers won't know how to strop or hone a conventional. There was a post about barber shop shaves that I commented on after a trip to my new barbershop. Do a search for posts I've made to find it.

-Rob

Originally Posted by robertlampo

JL, it's a state-level law that requires the use of disposable blades. I can only speak for NY which has this law in place.

Then my NY barber is breaking the law when he shaves napes! I know NY barbers can't use a brush by law, but I don't think there's a requirement for disposable blades. Someone at SMF recently posted a pointer to the applicable NY health code, and I don't recall blades being an issue.

FWIW, there's probably many more comfortable faces out there because barbers use disposable blades. Sure, a straight is ideal, if maintained correctly, but I don't think many of todays barbers could sharpen a razor. There probably aren't many barbers who could train them right, either.

I got a straight shave and the guy used a pretty sweet looking shave-ette. I had red scales and the part that held the blade was thick and chrome. The shave was so smooth, but I think that he needs a little more practice, but I can get is smoother than him.

No answer for you JL, but it is a dying art. I think if you check our version of "The Barber's Manual 2000" instructional guide in the files, you'll see honing and stropping instruction have been entirely deleted.

I called a barber shop near my home in Miami and asked this question also.
they use disposable also, just like the AOS in bal harbor as well
I explained that I wanted to start using a SR myself, They told me I could bring them my SR and they would be glad to use it on me.
kind of like the sushi restaurant by my house that has a wall of the personal chop sticks of the regular customers. they keep them in private little boxes.
not that I will leave my SR there, but I will consider bringing it with me.
maybe we can start a trend here.
bottom line a haircut and a SR shave $15 bucks , I think I'll do it every once in a while. the barber shop is also next door to a cigar bar!!!

Originally Posted by nunz4

I called a barber shop near my home in Miami and asked this question also.
they use disposable also, just like the AOS in bal harbor as well
I explained that I wanted to start using a SR myself, They told me I could bring them my SR and they would be glad to use it on me.
kind of like the sushi restaurant by my house that has a wall of the personal chop sticks of the regular customers. they keep them in private little boxes.
not that I will leave my SR there, but I will consider bringing it with me.
maybe we can start a trend here.
bottom line a haircut and a SR shave $15 bucks , I think I'll do it every once in a while. the barber shop is also next door to a cigar bar!!!

The barber shop I go to costs $50 for a shave and haircut!! But on the other hand, they are also a cigar bar! Still rather the $15 cut and shave considering I have never smoked a cigar lol

Yeah my barber is basically $15 for a shave and a haircut. But now that I shave myself I save the other $7.50

That's one thing I miss about Miami. I don't know if they'll be as care full with your SE razor as you would be. I would buy a second SE razor just to take to the barber shop.

I talked to a barber today and he told me by law he can't use his straights. I'm in Massachusetts. Two ideas: Couldn't scales be made to withstand sterilizing? or (stolen from an earlier post in this thread) We have our own straights at the barbershop like they did with shaving mugs and brushes. He said he's used straights for years but I didn't think to ask if I brought mine in he'd shave me. Always wanted to have it done by an "expert" and not with a shavette. I just figured AOS used a regular straight. Duh, not in this day and age.