Thread: Hello From Chicago

Am a Barber working in a very busy shop. Have done a few face shaves in my time but am also somewhat of a collector as well.

A number of years ago I was working with an Italian Barber who was 83 and since the early 1900s had worked in the upscale hotels in downtown Chicago. He had worked on many famous people and some even came into town just to get his face shaves. He became my friend and mentor and he spent alot of time patiently teaching me how to improve my skills. After several years of working with him I became an average to good face shaver. Some years later I decided to change shops and as a going away present he gave me 10 of his oldest straight razors (mostly TI and Dovo)in mint condition, shave ready, complete with the old cardboard boxes. Thats what got me into collecting a few old shaving things.

I joined this site mostly because I like collecting old razors, equipment and supplies. I don't sell anything, just collect.

Thanks...Scott

Welcome to SRP Scott. I am somewhat of a collector too as well as a shaver. Both razors and hones in my case. In your experience with shaving other people with straight razors do you find some have significantly coarser whiskers than others ? I've asked this before of other barbers and they have said that people's whiskers do vary. I just like to ask anyone who has experience shaving others to see if the experience is consistent. I only get to shave my own so I can't judge anyone elses.

Yes Jimmy, whiskers do vary.

I have some customers whose whiskers are very soft and smooth and others whose are very coarse and thick. For the real thick ones I sometimes use a tallow based soap instead of my Lather King machine.

Nice website here. So far so good.

Hello, Scott:

Welcome to SRP. Your collection must impressive. Where is your shop in Chicago? I lived in Chicago for many years and also worked there at the former WNIB radio before it was sold and the classical format changed to rock.

Regards,

Obie

Thank-you Obie.

I remember WNIB and would listen to it from time to time, it was a great station. I didn't like WFMT because I felt it was to pompous...lol.

My shop is in the western suburbs.

Thanks again.

Welcome, Scott. I'm also in Chicago--live on the far north side and work in the north-northwest burbs. And Obie, thanks for reminding me--I used to listen to WNIB too, and was just thinking about it the other day and couldn't remember the call letters! I am a frequent listener, loyal defender, and sometime member of WFMT now. Gotta defend the last bastion.

~Rich

I'm excited to see another barber here. I'm attending barber school in Merrillville, In. Especially one who does shaves.

The school I'm attending just opened a satellite school in downtown Chicago,
a few blocks south of Randolph St, right under the El train (Michigan or Wabash?)

When I was a kid here in South Bend, the most popular radio station was WLS, when it was a top 40 station. John "Records" Landecker, Uncle "Lar" and little snot nosed Tommy, the Boogie Check.....ahhh, the memories!

Anyway, see 'ya around.

Kev

Good luck with school Kev. I am sure you will do good and I hope you get a great job afterwards. It's a good career. You can do very well financially if you are in the right shop and can make many lifelong friends that start out as customers.

I attended the old Moler which was a traditional barber school,not a cosmetology school. We worked mostly on bums and homeless people but there were alot of them so we got alot of practice.

I also remember WLS as well. I listened to it all the time as a kid and liked "Uncle Lar" and all the rest of the people. John Landecker is still on the radio here sometimes. Those were the days.

I wish you luck and feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

Thanks

Rich...thanks for the welcome.

I now sometimes will listen to WFMT. I miss WNIB and without them I aam kind of forced to listen to FMT. As time has gone on I have really started to like them and maybe didn't give them much of a chance before. Sometimes even listen to them in the shop and the customers like it. I guess they are all thats left.

Thanks

Welcome to SRP. It's nice to have you here