Thread: wade and butcher razor

Here's a few other theories about the notch:

1) it's nothing more than another decorative treatment to the end of the blade

2) it' used to steady the blade by placing your fingertip into it

3) it's used to mark moles under the shaving cream (place notch over mole, then twist to mark it in the lather)

Originally Posted by xChris

1) it's nothing more than another decorative treatment to the end of the blade

2) it' used to steady the blade by placing your fingertip into it

3) it's used to mark moles under the shaving cream (place notch over mole, then twist to mark it in the lather)

1) reasonable since there are many aesthetic qualities which were used to sell straights

2) unreasonable since that hand is needed for stretching

3) reasonable as well, but since we don't have any barbers in the membership yet we're still guessing

X

Originally Posted by xChris

Here's a few other theories about the notch:

1) it's nothing more than another decorative treatment to the end of the blade

2) it' used to steady the blade by placing your fingertip into it

3) it's used to mark moles under the shaving cream (place notch over mole, then twist to mark it in the lather)

But if the barber knew where the moles were under the lather in order to mark them then there would be no need to mark them, would there?

Well, I never said they were great theories.

Maybe a barber marking moles just helped maintain the speed of the shave? He could simply go about the passes & get an easy visual cue to avoid cutting into them.

Me, personally, I think number 1 is the correct asnwer.

I thought the purpose of a barbers' notch is to facilitate shaving the upper lip right under the nose.

Originally Posted by Kees

I thought the purpose of a barbers' notch is to facilitate shaving the upper lip right under the nose.

I've noticed they work well that way. It's the most plausible reason I can see right now.

X

Originally Posted by Kees

I thought the purpose of a barbers' notch is to facilitate shaving the upper lip right under the nose.

Oh yeah -- forgot about that one. Good call.

You don't need it for shaving under noses - the coup de maitre ("masterstroke") does just fine for that, but you do need it for shaving the inside of noses and ears.

Originally Posted by mparker762

You don't need it for shaving under noses - the coup de maitre ("masterstroke") does just fine for that ...

Maybe you don't, but my whishers obviously don't grow the same way yours do.

Originally Posted by mparker762

... but you do need it for shaving the inside of noses and ears.

I'm having trouble picturing how.

X