Thread: Babygirl Barber... Never trained in the Art of Shaving..... New Member

Originally Posted by Phrank

Welcome to the forum!

I'm not familiar with the laws of Hawaii, but wouldn't using a traditional straight potentially violate health rules? I know in my neck of the woods, barbers all use the shavettes, so either the blade is replaced for each customer, or it gets a minimum 10 minute swim in the old Barbicide. That old potential contact with blood thing....'-)

But yes, having a straight shave would be a great service to offer...I've heard of the practice on the balloon thing as well.

Cheers and welcome!

I don't believe a straight blade is against health code, but that is certainly an awesome question that I will definitely look into.... Sanitation standards for all equipment require that all tools be sanitized in barbicide to kill any infectious bacteria/germs/disease/etc.... So I would assume as long as you follow the state health codes you'd be fine??

Before I start getting on with the balloon - I think I should have mentioned that I might need to sharpen these blades... which I don't know how to do either... The blades are both concave-ish, meaning no side is flat.... How would I sharpen these? Do I need to get a strop & hone, or can I use a stone?

Originally Posted by edhewitt

Hi megz,
I think there are a few members in Hawaii, you can search by location I think. From memory jonnywhim or johnnywimm is in hawaii, along with one of two others, you might be able to meet up with someone who is there and watch what they do. Also there are quite a few you tube videos of barbers giving shaves and explaining what they are doing.
You will probably need to get the razors honed (sharpened) before use, but I can't tell you that for sure.
Good luck, and keep us informed as to hoe you get on.
All the best
Ed

Oooo I didn't know you could do that!! Awesome! I'd MUUUUCH prefer having someone teach me than just trial and error (thought about using my Knees as a comparison?).... might get a lil' messy!!

Originally Posted by HARRYWALLY

Once you get them honed, and ready to shave, I would say try shaving your legs with them. I've tried convincing my wife to let me shave her legs, but I feel that the straight razor intimidates her a bit. I think once she lets me, she'll really like it. A lot of the guys here test their edges on the inside of their forearm, to see if the blade will pop hair easily. I know some of the guys even test on their legs too. I have.

Start in an easy spot and do a bit at a time. Do small areas to build up your confidence and do more and more once you start becoming more comfortable with the blade. If you can't shave yourself, how could you ever shave someone else???

Thanks Harry!! I did that to figure out that.... OH.EM - my blades are dull BUT!! I Do have a straight blade that is capable of having blades replaced?? Do you know of these and where would I find replacements... should I just search or are they any old kind?? SO many questions......

There are a pile of threads regarding honing, along with quite a few vids including one on the main page. You will needs strop either way, and to hone (sharpen) them you will need a few stones, however you may be better to send them (or at least one of them) out initially then you will have a reference point. Once they have an edge, you should be able to take care of basic maintenance with a barber hone or high grit stone, then work up from there.

Ditto what Ed said.

That replaceable blade razor depends on brand, We have a sub forum on the ilk called "Shaving with Shavette Razors". I recommend you browse through their as well. I believe the brand that really is Shavette takes either a longer shavette blade or with the right insert, can take a DE blade that has been split in two. I don't know a great deal about these styles of razor, but from what I've been told, Feather is the better brand of replaceable blade razor.



Mick

Mayby pic up some friends and use them as a shave model before you hurt custemers so can you practice the techniek and the products you want to use. Shaving on others is practice and many shave under the belt as posible.

Do you have a friend that use s straight? Ask him/her some tricks they use for there face. Ask the friend if you can shave him, and let him give you advise.
Good luck and let us now how it works out.

Originally Posted by Megz

I don't believe a straight blade is against health code, but that is certainly an awesome question that I will definitely look into.... Sanitation standards for all equipment require that all tools be sanitized in barbicide to kill any infectious bacteria/germs/disease/etc.... So I would assume as long as you follow the state health codes you'd be fine??

Before I start getting on with the balloon - I think I should have mentioned that I might need to sharpen these blades... which I don't know how to do either... The blades are both concave-ish, meaning no side is flat.... How would I sharpen these? Do I need to get a strop & hone, or can I use a stone?

Hi Megz - I can totally understand that this would be an important service for you to offer, so I've had some ideas to get to end of job on this.

I've got several straight razors, a nice strop, lots of different soaps, pre / post shave stuff, alum blocks and even a shavette with several different types of blades. So what I was thinking was, you could fly me to Hawaii all expenses paid, put me up in a nice beach side hotel with an all inclusive package, preferably a resport with a nice big pool as well, and I'll bring all my stuff, show you some of my techniques, and you can practice on me, for, say a month.

It would be a big favour on my part, but I'm willing for you to fly me, 1st class by the way, it would be a long flight from Toronto, put me up in a great 5 star beachside hotel, and we can work together for an hour a day on your shaving technique.

No need to thank me, here at this forum we aim to help each other, so if it means you flying me to Hawaii, darn it, I'm willing to make the sacrifice!!

Ohh, and I'll need some spending money whilst I'm there!

Let me know when you're going to make the arrangements!!

Hi Megz,

have a look here ( it is a German page but some literature is in English)

Literatur über Rasiermesser |
Go to:
http://www.antike-rasiermesser.de/da...20Barbiere.pdf

If Link dos not work:
"alte Anleitung fuer Barbiere (Ausbildungsunterlagen)

It is only an example you will find more on this page (in English) as .pdf

If you get skilled because of my hint --> I will get one shave for free if I come to Hawai once... OK?
(but unfortunately this may never happen)

If you google "Barber schools Hawaii", you'll find quite a list. Maybe there's one
near you where you could get some specific training without having to take the
whole course.

Good luck on the new enterprise. Please let us know when you get started on
the shaving in your shop.

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Wellcome to SRP,Can you use traditional straight Razors legally in your state??

+1 to this question.

If you're doing it for money, you may want to go with a shavette (straight razor with a disposable blade) as it would probably be more cost and time efficient...which is another point worth mentioning.
The reason why it's so hard to find a barber in my area who will give you a shave, or so I'm told, is because it's not a cost/time efficient thing to do these days. That's why it's so expensive ($47 for a hot lather shave from T+H in Toronto).
For me, I have a hard time justifying paying so much for a shave that I can do myself, and with my own (and much preferred) soaps and creams.
Now, that's not to say that people who don't shave with one won't pay for the luxury! My point is that investing time and money in hones may not be worth it for you...but that all depends on you!