Thread: Honing the barber's notch

From what I've read, it is for use when holding a razor to shave someone else (not yourself), hence "barber's" notch. (probably debated)

Originally Posted by shawndo

From what I've read, it is for use when holding a razor to shave someone else (not yourself), hence "barber's" notch. (probably debated)

Ah! That's a good answer. THAT I can envision. I think I might even have seen that in old videos or photos.

Joe

I've also heard that the notch would allow the barber or user to use the notched area to shave in the nostril / below the nose area...there doesn't seem to be a definitive answer, but there's lot of speculation as you can see....

Okay how does the barber stretch the skin if both hands are on the razor ? Keep that *&^%ing thing out of MY nose :<0)

Originally Posted by 10Pups

Okay how does the barber stretch the skin if both hands are on the razor ? Keep that *&^%ing thing out of MY nose :<0)

10, if you're referring to my post supposing that the notch is for ease of getting around the nostrils, it is held in one hand, just as with any straight. Visualize the notch going to the edge/side of the nostril to better fit the area under the nose. It can be done with a standard point but requires more of a 'coup de maitre' tilt to get in there. IME.

I have run into a few razors (Various points) that the bottom half of the grind is pretty darn sharp, hollow grind Round Points mostly, I have always dulled them as I just assumed this was a factory error when the final grinding took place..

I think the barbers notch harkens back to the days when barbers were also surgeons. The profile of the toe matches the profile of a scalpel. Looks just like the scalpel blades I used to geld boar pigs and bull calves. The Spanish point mimics the lancet or bleeding point. This may just be a romantic notion (classical allusion) but I kind of like the idea of the continuing blade shapes based on tradition.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

10, if you're referring to my post supposing that the notch is for ease of getting around the nostrils, it is held in one hand, just as with any straight. Visualize the notch going to the edge/side of the nostril to better fit the area under the nose. It can be done with a standard point but requires more of a 'coup de maitre' tilt to get in there. IME.

No bud I think we were writing at the same time :<0) I get what your saying and agree with the advantage of the notch in that area of the face. I can only imagine because I can't remember not having a mustache. But shaving nose hair Now if the notch was created for that ???? who knows. I do know I prefer restoring a razor with a notch because it helps a lot in holding it for certain operations. In fact when I start making customs if it has a notch ,,,, everyone will know why now :<0)

The nostril hair aspect was interesting, until it was pointed out in another thread that many razor's are notched quite differently? I like the surgeon idea.

Possibly they started out with a practical application and with time became an ornamental aspect???

Originally Posted by 10Pups

I do know I prefer restoring a razor with a notch because it helps a lot in holding it for certain operations. In fact when I start making customs if it has a notch ,,,, everyone will know why now :<0)

The barber's notch couldn't be a notch for the barber, but for that type of razor, just the way how the worker can hold it when grinding the blade.