Thread: Straight Razor History Question

Hi all,

I'm new to straight razor shaving (I only have a Feather for now) and had a background question. Please forgive my ignorance.

Before the advent of double edged razors, what proportion of men went to barbers for their straight razor shaves as opposed to doing it themselves? I'm obviously not looking for a number, just an idea. Also, has going to a barber always been the norm when it comes to straights?

My question stems from my real concern regarding the safety of shaving with a straight. As I read about them, there are many disclaimers about the possibility of seemingly gruesome injury. If our grandfathers and great-grandfathers shaved at home with straights, I thought I would have heard of missing lips and ears by now.

So, do you guys really know about any permanent injuries sustained while shaving with a straight or is this like the disclaimer on hot coffee?

Thank you all for the information you've posted elsewhere and for entertaining my questions.

Best,
Rich

I can't speak about what proportion of men went to a barber, but I do know my great grandfather shaved himself with a str8 from the time he was a teenager. They weren't exactly poor, but going to a barber for a shave was a unnecessary expence. As I understand it my great grandfather never had any serious accidents with his str8. Back then he learned from his father, who learned from his father before, and so on. I think the disclaimers you refer to are a sign of our times. We live in a vary litigious society, so everyone covers their arse.

Hi Rich, and welcome to the SRP.

Yours is a very interesting question. As a casual student of 19th century American history (okay, I watch a lot of old westerns) I too have wondered about what the average guy did. Looking at old pictures, it's clear that many did not shave. Some of the whacky beard styles of the time suggest that those who did shave did not shave the tricky parts.

It would also seem that there wasn't a single decent hair cut to be had on the North American continent.

I think you answer your own question with regard to serious injury. There seems to be a lack of written or anecdotal evidence shaving catastrophes.

Certainly, the straight razor could cause a variety of damage to the face. So could a hot frying pan. But since we humans react to pain the way we do, most of us would not keep a razor or a hot frying pan in proximity to flesh long enough to disfigure.

Well, my cousin Joe might on a dare and if you held his beer.

Another point to consider is that the razor leaves very clean wounds. Scarring would be minimal compared to say a cheese grater.

Use common sense and go slowly and I don't think you'll be finding any ears in the bathroom sink.

Regards &c
LG Roy

I think I know that guy...

Originally Posted by Library Guy

Well, my cousin Joe might on a dare and if you held his beer.

Regards &c
LG Roy

I think the proportion of men who shaved themselves daily vs. those who had the barber do it for them in days gone by (say maybe 100yrs) is the same as men who shave themselves daily vs. those who go to the barber today, give or take. It's a lifestyle thing.

X

In the old days straight shaving was just what everyone did kind of like saying what percentage of people had people to drive them around before cars had automatic transmissions and power steering. For the average joe going to the barber for a shave was a very special experience reserved for special events or holidays.

A hundred years from now when they use electric gizmos to ultrasonically remove hair and all razors become historical curiosities they will ask, gee they actually used a blade against their skin to remove hair from their face in the 21st century

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

A hundred years from now when they use electric gizmos to ultrasonically remove hair and all razors become historical curiosities they will ask, gee they actually used a blade against their skin to remove hair from their face in the 21st century

Or genetically predisposing beardless male children is more likely. Easier you know.

X

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

A hundred years from now when they use electric gizmos to ultrasonically remove hair and all razors become historical curiosities they will ask, gee they actually used a blade against their skin to remove hair from their face in the 21st century

Okay, at the risk of being geeky... I seem to recall a Star Trek: TNG episode where Geordi is shaving with an electric razor and telling Data how old fashioned he's being...

So, I guess in the future, straight razor shaving will still be an affectation for at least a few people!

I say that as far as severe injury, take your time and get the feel for shaving with a straight. Dont worry about injury, yes you will cut yourself and you will nick yourself until you get the hang of it. You wont lose your ears, lipps or any other appendages (wear pants or swear not to drop the straight razor LOL)

As far as the history, I am also very interested in this question. I do a lot of research on my family history and history in general. I know that in the days of old, most people were of moderate means and could not afford to pay a barbar for a shave except in times of show, such as a wedding, funeral, special meeting or such. Perhaps only once a week for church activities. I think that the sunday church meeting is the basis for the myth of the saturday night or once a week bath. The truth is that many people in the 1800's only bathed once or twice per year. The german immigrants were the most persistant in cleanliness and class and income and vocation played a large part in the cleanliness, dress and style of the individual.

I have seen many razors that have been honed to oblivion or honed like a knife--I think this is a sign of financial ability and availability of good skills.

Now that I have diverted into something that may not interest you, I say take your time and learn to hone, stropp and shave. Most of all, ENJOY!

Good Luck

I don't "know about any permanent injuries sustained while shaving with a straight" but there's an interesting read on the pre-1900 history of shaving here and also a reasonable good timeline here. Note that the str8 razor appeared circa 1680. And, copper razors have been found from the 3000BC era... I'll bet they had trouble passing the hanging hair test with those babies