Thread: Hey from the Midwest

Hey everyone,

I'm a barber who has recently relocated to a rural Missouri town. Though demand in my current location is few and far between I specialize in hot towel shaves and modernized classic cuts (pompadour or ivy league with tight fades).

I originally picked up wet shaving around 10 years ago while in high school as a result of irritation from using a 5 blade. A few years later I picked up a few DE razors to supplement my small rotation of straights.

For lather proraso has always been a favorite. I do occasionally get a wild hair and pull out a D.R. Harris or Mamabear soap. While I've been bearded for a few years now i still prefer wet shaving for outlining or the rare times I decided to go whiskerless.

Welcome aboard.

Welcome. Plenty of knowledge here. Photos of your gear would be great.

Hello and welcome to SRP.
Enjoy your time on the forum.

Pete <:-}

Hello from Canada and welcome

Originally Posted by bouschie

Welcome. Plenty of knowledge here. Photos of your gear would be great.

My current setup at work is a Parker shavette, Proraso preshave, Proraso sensitive balm, Proraso aftershave, and thayers witch hazel. I use Feather blades for full shaves, but Shark blade for neck shaves because they're so much more affordable. While I prefer the feather shavette for full shaves it's just too costly to use for neck shaves. Unfortunately the state won't allow me to use a boar brush in the shop, and I've yet to get a straight answer on the legality of using a synthetic brush.

What about building the lather in a mug, with the brush, then apply by hand.?

Originally Posted by outback

What about building the lather in a mug, with the brush, then apply by hand.?

My barber shaves my neck with a real straight not a shavette.

I haven't ever seen him sterilize it, just strop between customers so I take my own straights and ask him to use them. I make it seem like i am excited to show him what I have so his feelings aren't hurt.

He doesn't use a brush, he has a thing that squirts hot lather, or maybe goop. into his hand when he presses a button.

Originally Posted by outback

What about building the lather in a mug, with the brush, then apply by hand.?

That was my first idea, but was unfortunately told by the state board that is also a no go. We had a barber scolded by an inspector for having a brush on his station for decoration because, "I dont know you're not using it on clients when I'm not here".

Originally Posted by STF

My barber shaves my neck with a real straight not a shavette.

I haven't ever seen him sterilize it, just strop between customers so I take my own straights and ask him to use them. I make it seem like i am excited to show him what I have so his feelings aren't hurt.

He doesn't use a brush, he has a thing that squirts hot lather, or maybe goop. into his hand when he presses a button.

I've heard of a few shops allowing clients to bring their own razors for shaves, and I wouldnt personally have any problem with that. I'd prefer a days notice so I could bring in a strop though. Our state barber board heavy frowns upon even having real straights in the shop for decoration. Currently I use the same hot lather machine and hand lather a little Proraso cream in for extra glide when doing full shaves. At the shop I just left we used Proraso through the machines. It made for a great shave but required a lot of maintenance. Good choice on bringing your own. I've personally met a man who contracted blood poisoning from a unsanitary razor used for a hard part. 4 years later he still has a walnut sized knot under his scalp.

Originally Posted by GrimClippers11

That was my first idea, but was unfortunately told by the state board that is also a no go. We had a barber scolded by an inspector for having a brush on his station for decoration because, "I dont know you're not using it on clients when I'm not here".



I've heard of a few shops allowing clients to bring their own razors for shaves, and I wouldnt personally have any problem with that. I'd prefer a days notice so I could bring in a strop though. Our state barber board heavy frowns upon even having real straights in the shop for decoration. Currently I use the same hot lather machine and hand lather a little Proraso cream in for extra glide when doing full shaves. At the shop I just left we used Proraso through the machines. It made for a great shave but required a lot of maintenance. Good choice on bringing your own. I've personally met a man who contracted blood poisoning from a unsanitary razor used for a hard part. 4 years later he still has a walnut sized knot under his scalp.

My barber has his strop hanging off his chair but he only does necks not full shaves.