Thread: Show and tell with an old timer barber.

Made a foray(thats metrosexual speak for trip) to a small town a half hour away(population 4000) to hit up the antique shop there. Picked up a Case Temperite #25 razor(by the way anyone know what the #25 means?), and an old Wiss strop for the hardware. The strops leather is shot I believe its very warped, but I wet it and laid it out with weighted material on top to attempt a restore.The antique shop owner referred me to a shoe repair shop for a new piece of leather. The gal sold me a nice piece 3"x29" for $5. and 3 ozs of neatsfoot oil for $2(but I had to supply my own bottle, lol). Well next door is an old barbershop, and I mean this building looked rough at first I thought they had been out of business for at least a dozen years. So after I finish up with the leather lady I wander in there to get a haircut on a whim. I engage him in conversation about razors, and the next thing I know I'm getting a stropping and honing lesson from him. They had a nice glass case with a dozen old razors(one a red imp completely rusted away made me cry), a beautiful old sheffield wedge about an 7/8, a brand new Otto Busch still had the packing grease on it, and several other beauties. Then he started pulling out hones and OMG I was heaven, an old glass hone(neat to finally see one in person),carborundums, and several others I couldn't identify. The honing and stropping exhibition was the most impressive, man he could he fly on my new strop. I plan to go back and speak with the owner(he wasn't in), and see if I can talk him out of a hone or two, and same on the razors. That Otto Busch was a beautiful piece. I apologize if this is the wrong forum, and for rambling but I had to share this priceless experience.

Pics Pics Pics! There are some killer names in there, I wanna see them. Or, if you can't get pics, just PM me and I'll give you my mailing address. I'll take some pics and mail everything right back to you ;-p

Wow, sounds like a great trip!

I just wish we had some olde worlde places like that here in London. As soon as anything gets old, some architect comes along, tears it down and replaces it with some metal and glass monstrosity. And everything in our antique shops costs at least a million pounds. I think the thought is, its old, therefore its worth lots..!

Agree, no pics, didn't happen. WE WANT PORN.

That is a great story. I am going to go to the old barber I got my razors from and get a haircut and engage him in conversation. Sounds like the experience of a lifetime. We all need to find these old guys and learn what we can frome them while they are still here. Besides I am sure they love having someone to talk to about it. It was an important part of their lives. Good for you and thanks for posting it. Mack

Pics? I want to know the address, the closing time, the amount of outside lighting at night in lumens, and whether there are dogs or alarm systems!

Yeah this guy was pushing 70, still rock steady hands, great haircut. Obviously in that small of a town he doesn't get a steady stream of customers, mostly farmers on the weekend. Once I got him talking he was literally a fountain of stories and knowledge, and then he said I looked familiar,and meant it as a compliment even though I had never been in that town more than 3 times my entire life. It was great for me as both sets of my grandparents are passed on so I don't have anyone close with that type of knowledge to show me hands on.

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

Pics? I want to know the address, the closing time, the amount of outside lighting at night in lumens, and whether there are dogs or alarm systems!

Right there with ya, AFDavis!!!

Thanks for sharing such a great story Strikur. You took the initiative to go out and learn first-hand for yourself (what straight shaving is all about), and like the old proverb, "When the student is ready, the teacher appears." Great stuff, made my day. I wish I could find similar in my area, I've tried.

And if they're willing to part with that Otto Busch - snag it!