Thread: AOS - barbershop shave

I had a shave at Trumpers here in London, which was actually what got me into the whole straight razor hobby..!

It was an excellent shave, and a very enjoyable experience and one I recommend. I've not been to AOS, but I think having a barber give you a proper wet shave is just one of those things that people should do at least once..!

The USD price is about the equivalent of the GBP price here in London, so it sounds about right.

Give it a try, I'm sure you'll enjoy it!

For me the main attraction of a Barber shave is the process itself, not what kind of razor is used. I can stay home and shave with some pretty good hardware, but I can't recline in the barber chair and enjoy the hot and cold towels, light facial massage and pure relaxation that goes with a barber shave.

Unfortunately, this is one of those things that is hard to quantify in terms of value, especially if you've never had one. As Stu suggests, a barber shave is one of those things that you should try, at least once.

An AOS royal shave before my brother's wedding (2001) is what got me into wetshaving and straight shaving.

It was a memorable, comfortable and amazingly good shave. Stunningly good. Since then I have had three barber shaves. One was so bad I had him stop. One was almost as bad, let him finish, but there were red marks, and small touches of blood and irritation. Third was just a so-so shave (at another AOS), filled with all sorts of wrong (for me, anyway) advice about shaving.

The three bad experiences are enough to probably keep me out of barbers chairs for shaves unless I really get "that feeling" that the guy is a real master.

Originally Posted by vthomlinson

although it's not aos.. i've had my barber shave me in the past.. he uses a shavette and the lather comes from a latherking.. it only costs $18.. but i thoroughly enjoy the hot towel treatment and the shaves were bbs...

as far as aos goes.. i'm just not into their products.. and $50 seems way too much for my tastes.

Hi Victor,
Where is your barber? $18 sounds a lot more reasonable than $50.

Originally Posted by Stubear

I had a shave at Trumpers here in London, which was actually what got me into the whole straight razor hobby..!

It was an excellent shave, and a very enjoyable experience and one I recommend. I've not been to AOS, but I think having a barber give you a proper wet shave is just one of those things that people should do at least once..!

The USD price is about the equivalent of the GBP price here in London, so it sounds about right.

Give it a try, I'm sure you'll enjoy it!

HI Stu,
Now, that would be interesting too...Did the barber use a Shavette, like they seem to do at AOS?

Originally Posted by Bill S

For me the main attraction of a Barber shave is the process itself, not what kind of razor is used. I can stay home and shave with some pretty good hardware, but I can't recline in the barber chair and enjoy the hot and cold towels, light facial massage and pure relaxation that goes with a barber shave.

Unfortunately, this is one of those things that is hard to quantify in terms of value, especially if you've never had one. As Stu suggests, a barber shave is one of those things that you should try, at least once.

Good points Bill . But, it also depends on who's doing the shaving...(see smokelaw's comment below).

Originally Posted by smokelaw1

An AOS royal shave before my brother's wedding (2001) is what got me into wetshaving and straight shaving.

It was a memorable, comfortable and amazingly good shave. Stunningly good. Since then I have had three barber shaves. One was so bad I had him stop. One was almost as bad, let him finish, but there were red marks, and small touches of blood and irritation. Third was just a so-so shave (at another AOS), filled with all sorts of wrong (for me, anyway) advice about shaving.

The three bad experiences are enough to probably keep me out of barbers chairs for shaves unless I really get "that feeling" that the guy is a real master.

I agree...If I am going to pay $50, I want to make sure that the guy is not a "cookie cutter" barber with minimal training, who is learning on the job...if I do it, I want to do it making certain the guy (or gal) has had a good amount of experience shaving others (and himself).

Originally Posted by BladeRunner001

Good points Bill . But, it also depends on who's doing the shaving...(see smokelaw's comment below).



I agree...If I am going to pay $50, I want to make sure that the guy is not a "cookie cutter" barber with minimal training, who is learning on the job...if I do it, I want to do it making certain the guy (or gal) has had a good amount of experience shaving others (and himself).

You are completely correct. In the past I have called a shop and asked for a particular barber to do the shave based on reviews/posts on one of the forums and been quite satisfied. In addition, I wouldn't hesitate to ask for the person with the most experience when you are booking you appointment. Also, I think that some shops will allow you to bring in your own razor for your shave if you wish to avoid the shavette.

Originally Posted by BladeRunner001

Hi Victor,
Where is your barber? $18 sounds a lot more reasonable than $50.

it's borderline west los angeles and santa monica.. on santa monica boulevard between harvard and yale.. the place really looks old school and is for the most part.. however.. although the place is covered with old time ads for brylcreem and jeri's tonic.. you won't have any options other than gel.. they do give a good haircut at a fair price.. and you won't come out looking like justin beiber.

oh.. and it's called berkeley barber's (they used to be on berkeley)

the shave starts with a light lather and a hot towel. then it's wiped off and another hot towel.. then a full lather and 2 wtg passes.. then a cold towel and some aftershave.. after than the chair is raised and you get a vibrating mit shoulder rub and a pat on the back.. i highly recommend it just for the experience.. it's not something i get done often though.

Originally Posted by vthomlinson

it's borderline west los angeles and santa monica.. on santa monica boulevard between harvard and yale.. the place really looks old school and is for the most part.. however.. although the place is covered with old time ads for brylcreem and jeri's tonic.. you won't have any options other than gel.. they do give a good haircut at a fair price.. and you won't come out looking like justin beiber.

oh.. and it's called berkeley barber's (they used to be on berkeley)

the shave starts with a light lather and a hot towel. then it's wiped off and another hot towel.. then a full lather and 2 wtg passes.. then a cold towel and some aftershave.. after than the chair is raised and you get a vibrating mit shoulder rub and a pat on the back.. i highly recommend it just for the experience.. it's not something i get done often though.

Thanks Victor...I may just give them a shot one of these weekends

I started wet shaving by buying the $100 kit from a brand new AOS store near me a few years ago.
They didn't have a barber yet but when they did I made an appointment.
He was a master barber and teacher at a local barber school. It was good, not great but good. He seemed to know what he was talking about, but I of course didn't know anything yet. (still don't lol)
Also, since I had bought the kit a few weeks prior, they didn't charge me. I of course gave the barber a tip.

Wow my if my local barber hears of 50$ shaves he is gonna flip. He will shave you here in Enterprise Alabama at Lundsford's Barbershop with a shavette for 8$ or if you bring your straight 7$. He has a steady hand and has never nicked me. I never shave the morning I go for a haircut so he can shave me.