Thread: Barbers Notch

Originally Posted by RezDog

I do believe that in the old ads they were referred to as notched point razors and the term barbers notch is quite new.

That makes sense . I must admit a long time ago I thought they were ugly, same with the French point but nower days I think they look smashing and I now love French points too.

Originally Posted by RezDog

I do believe that in the old ads they were referred to as notched point razors and the term barbers notch is quite new.

The term "Hollow point" was used as well to describe today barber's notch. Example below from 1924 & 1895.

Lots of ideas abound, but I think they look good so I like them regardless of their original purpose!

Something I found and posted on the last "Notch" question I found the vid quite interesting

http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...ml#post1577189

Love the vid Glen and I have watched that guy make a few things.
The thing is , I see the edge spreading out as he thins it. Hence the smile. The whole edge widens out so to get a notch he would have to thin the spine too. Looks more like a simple radius to me.
I do know for a fact that the notch sure makes it a lot easier to hold the blade when your grinding in the hollow :<0)

The 2 handed barber grip makes no sense to me unless he is shaving a guys head. Even then.

Not a theory, but a question for those who have seen many notch points. Are they more traditional on a square or round point? Notice the old advert had it on more a rounder point. Hope little hijack isn't a problem. Can start new thread if preffered Job15?

There have been several discussions on it & many valid points but never a definite answer as of yet.

Originally Posted by Martin103

If that was the case of the barber's notch, then why is there so many "For Barbers use" razors without one?
Attachment 223245
Attachment 223246

These ones were made for one-armed barbers.

Originally Posted by 10Pups

Love the vid Glen and I have watched that guy make a few things.
The thing is , I see the edge spreading out as he thins it. Hence the smile. The whole edge widens out so to get a notch he would have to thin the spine too. Looks more like a simple radius to me.
I do know for a fact that the notch sure makes it a lot easier to hold the blade when your grinding in the hollow :<0)

The 2 handed barber grip makes no sense to me unless he is shaving a guys head. Even then.

Exactly .. what I posted


Watch the front of the tool

Struck me as funny, since he really did nothing to shape that, it was cut straight and the notch "Magically" appeared as the blade curved

It really looks like the older Stubtail Clip point


Before the Hollow Notch was a simple Clipped Point that looks almost exactly like what formed in that vid, I kind of think they just improved on it as time went by...

I just haven't found any explanation that holds up to real scrutiny even after all these years..

A theory:

Detail work...
The notch gives you a very short 3/8 - 4/8 "tip" to work with on the edge of that 8/8 blade.
On your 5/8 or 6/8 Morley Clover you might have a 2/8 "edge"

If you have a Mo (and having a Mo was common in the mostly SR days) this comes in very handy under your (or your customers) nose.

I know it works for me...



Just another theory...