Thread: Honing the barber's notch

I've read around about the barber's notch. I've seen different opinions about its original function. Nobody seems to know for sure.

I got a barber's notch razor not long ago that turned out to be sharpened in the area from the edge up to the notch. I discovered this by slicing my cheek with the toe of the razor--the part between the edge and the notch.

So, I have a question: is this area supposed to be sharpened? And if it is supposed to be sharpened, how is it supposed to be used?

For the one I got, I dulled the area from the edge to the notch. That was a deep cut.

Joe

Never heard or seen that before. Who knows what purpose it would have ????? Guys who work restoring know what the notch is for :<0) It makes it a lot easier to hold while buffing or grinding. It's the only thing that makes sense to me. I don't think they did it for giggles.

Originally Posted by 10Pups

Never heard or seen that before. Who knows what purpose it would have ????? Guys who work restoring know what the notch is for :<0) It makes it a lot easier to hold while buffing or grinding. It's the only thing that makes sense to me. I don't think they did it for giggles.

Yeah, I'm sure it had some function. The idea that it helps in holding the razor at least makes sense of how one might use it now.

Has anyone ever made any use of the notch while shaving? I mean, has anyone ever used it to work around a mustache or other facial hair? I've heard that mentioned as a possible function, but I haven't been able to envision how it would work.

Joe

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....

The purpose of the 'barber's notch', A.K.A. 'notch point', is unknown. Many have speculated. My personal opinion, having only recently shaved the mustache I sported for decades, is that the notch enables the shaver to get above the mustache, around the nostril area, more easily. A Spanish point, and to some extent a French point are equally handy IME. Other than that I see no practical purpose for the notch besides looking cool. Some say it was for ease of opening the razor but I've never found it difficult to open any razor sans notch, so I don't buy that theory.

I've never encountered a razor with a barber's notch that was sharpend from the end of the bevel up to the notch. Not a vintage razor, nor a new model, and I've had quite a few come and go. YMMV.

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

In answer to the question, no, that area if the toe that is perpendicular to the edge is not normally sharpened. I have never encountered a razor, with or without a barber's notch, that was sharpened in this manner.

You did the right thing dulling that edge. Maybe someone could come up with a use for it, like really precise shaping around a beard, but if you are not going to use that edge there is no point in keeping it sharp. That is, unless you really like scars.

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.