Thread: meetings with retired barber I met at an antique store

While at an antique mall a few weeks ago, I was looking at a case and the gent next to me asked if I was looking for something particular. I stated that I was looking for and interested in straight razors and hones. He looked at me and asked, What are you going to do with them? I looked back, smiled and replied that I would clean, hone and use them. He then asked where I learned the art of honing and what I used. I explained to him that it would depend on the condition of the razor. He at that time said he would use a carborundum, move to a swaty, then stop on linen and his shell strop. Of course by now he had my full attention. He smiled and stated that he was a retired barber and that he had some straights sitting in a cigar box at home and that if I gave him my number, he would call me the next time he would be near me and let me look at them. Before we parted, he said one of his favorite razors was a Dubl Duck.

Well, he called me and we are going to meet Saturday.

cont... After Saturday meeting

He spoke very vividly of places throughout the states fro Seattle to New York that he cut hair. One interesting place was a tour cutting hair on the train. He said he took on the profession quite early. He is 76 but looks maybe 60. He enjoys 5 mile daily walks with his dog(weather permitting) and spoke briefly of a heart condition. I think he found it extremely interesting, that I was interested in his career. He brought some straights with him and looked a bit down that some had started to rust and a couple scales were broken. He said he really believed that they were retired forever and just held some memories. As he pulled them out he had a story with each one. He asked if I was interested in buying them in their condition. I did with the goal of cleaning and fixing them up so I can take them to our next meeting.

A list of the razors are as follows.

1) E. W. Vieth #9, 5/8 Solingen
2) Wedgeway, 11/16
3) Johan Engstrom frameback, 7/8-6/8 Sweden
4) W. H. Morley & Sons, 11/16 Germany
5) Hess 44 Stainless, 6/8 Solingen, Germany
6) Wade and Butcher, 13/16 England
7) Peter J Micheals C-MON Cadillac, 5/8 Germany
8) Dubl Duck Satinedge Pearlduck, 11/16 Solingen, Germany
9) Dubl Duck Goldedge Pearlduck, 7/8 Solingen, Germany

He also told me to be careful while using these. The steel hardened to a point that if dropped they may and can shatter. Shortly after he said, Do not try to grab them if you drop it. He knew one person that did and cut his arm severely.

He also indicated that he had more stuff. he said he had 2 lather machines and laughed. He said, you will get a kick out of it. I will give you one next time we meet and when I am ready to part with other items, I will give you a call. I have your number.

Smiling, his parting words were, "be careful, don't cut your strop. "

thats awesome! I love when things like that happen. It's always so interesting to talk to people about a shared interest!

Great story; show us some photos when you clean them up.

Treasure those pieces, and never forget what he spoke about with regards to them. Be prepared to pass them down and add your own story to that of the old barbers when you do.


Mick

Thanks for sharing a unique experience with an old school Barber! + what Mick said!

I didn't know the steel on razors hardened with age. I could understand steel under continual stress for years losing its properties. Sounds like you might hit the jackpot. I know all about cutting strops.

My father was a barber. Unfortunately his razors were stolen from the pool hall where he last worked. I doubt that he actually used them there for much other than to clean up hairlines anyways. The only one left was one that he had given my grandfather and when he passed on was handed down to me. It is one of my favorite razors and I often think of him when i use it. He was one of the funniest buggers I ever knew. Enjoy those razors. If they could only talk, the stories they would tell.
Enjoy your future meetings and thanks for posting.
Mike

Originally Posted by Mcbladescar

My father was a barber. Unfortunately his razors were stolen from the pool hall where he last worked. I doubt that he actually used them there for much other than to clean up hairlines anyways. The only one left was one that he had given my grandfather and when he passed on was handed down to me. It is one of my favorite razors and I often think of him when i use it. He was one of the funniest buggers I ever knew. Enjoy those razors. If they could only talk, the stories they would tell.
Enjoy your future meetings and thanks for posting.
Mike

Mike, was the AIDS scare and the hygiene laws that followed totally to blame for most barbers no longer shaving customers around the neck and ears with a straight, or did barbers just decide that they could give more haircuts by skipping it?

Originally Posted by CaliforniaCajun

Mike, was the AIDS scare and the hygiene laws that followed totally to blame for most barbers no longer shaving customers around the neck and ears with a straight, or did barbers just decide that they could give more haircuts by skipping it?

Cajun:
God no ... i should have added some detail ... we are talking late 60's early 70's ... hair cuts changed ... shortly thereafter he was called a "hairstylist' still in a barber shop but now haircuts included blowdryers and no razors.
Mike

It sounds like you made his day as much as he made yours. Very cool story.