This may be a silly question to ask but as a newb to straights what is the barbers notch?Whats the purpose or desirability of these blades?
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This may be a silly question to ask but as a newb to straights what is the barbers notch?Whats the purpose or desirability of these blades?
From the WIKIQuote:
Originally Posted by coolmaltbeverage
Cheers :)Quote:
What is the point of a barber's notch?
The most commonly given answer is: The notch assists in opening the straight razor.[11] These and many more reasons are quoted, but none as of this point have been proven.
Other answers include:
The notch is a proof mark for superior steel.
The notch is a proof mark that the razor is for barbers
The notch is used to shave around obstacles on the customer's face.
The notch allows one hand opening, for example, by catching the notch on a breast pocket.
The notch is just a cosmetic flair
sorry,never thought about the wiki.
No problem. The Wiki here is incredibly thorough and worth spending significant time in. What a great resource!Quote:
Originally Posted by coolmaltbeverage
An old, retired, barber told me today the notch was for access to the openings of the nose to trim away unruly nose hair. The notch would ride on one edge while the barber gently cut away long nose hairs. He said he never used it that way but his mentors did. I don't think he was pulling my leg, because he was passionate about straights, his favorite hones, and how important great stropping was to the proper use of a straight. He claims none of the current crop of barbers has any idea of how to cut hair, much less use a straight. I claim no ability to judge veracity. I'm just relaying what I heard from someone who was a medic with long range recon in Viet Nam, and then became a barber. He is tough as nails, has a hand grip like a vise, and came across as a straight shooter. It was clear we both loved straight razors. Just reporting, I thought I would add that to the list of reasons for a "barber's notch" on a straight razor.
No barber shall dig my nostrils with that!Quote:
Originally Posted by boshave
I sincerely hope itīs just a cosmetic thing! I just have one nose, so I prefer the barber playing with one of my two ears, unlike the drunken-by-absinth van Gogh, who thought to have two noses and four ears!.
He seemed to mean just the hairs that stick out, not the ones inside. It seems the older I get, the more hair I see growing out my ears and nose and the less on top... Even so I'll stick to the rotating blade manual nose hair trimmer and save the straights for my face!!
https://www.amazon.com/Dovo-Klippett.../dp/B000IB0G1YQuote:
Originally Posted by boshave
This is not really an answer, but I like just about anything that makes a razor unique, and although plentiful the notches are rarer than round points or squares, so it's a nice touch.
I had heard that is was suspected that the notch was or could be sharpened and used to cut around a mole????? I really don't know.
This was my theory as well. It just happened one day while trying to leave the mustache, but straighten it up under the nose. Oh and the notch helped with that too. Kept me from cutting my nose off.Quote:
Originally Posted by boshave
I would be more inclined to believe that if anyone could show one example of one honed that way.Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael70
Sorry, dudes. What's a mole besides being a small furry burrowing earthworm eating mammal?
You forgot that when burrowing it completely destroys the yard (lawn for you proper folks) and never leaves.Quote:
Originally Posted by Matheus
Like I stated.............just what I had heard! Who knows!Quote:
Originally Posted by Utopian
She's pointing to one.Quote:
Originally Posted by Matheus
Attachment 244491
Thatīs a nice mole!:chapeau
I'm sure my moutache whiskers would grind it off quickly. :rolleyes:
I like the way that they look on a razor. Just check out the W.H. Morley & Son razors 90% will have that notch it just makes them look better IMHO. Plus most razors with a barbers notch are quarter to half grinds with I like very much. To me they will take and hold an edge better than a hollow or extra hollow grind razor
I got a barbers notch by mistake when I ordered a Aust. I liked it so much it is the point of choice now. I find it easier to shave around hard to get to places like under the nose. I have 2 Mastro Livi's with the barbers notch and they are fantastic razors in appearance and performance.Attachment 244557Attachment 244558
Gorgeous razorsQuote:
Originally Posted by jkatzman
I personally find it easier to see what I am shaving with the barbers notch. Each have their own preference. Mastro Livi is amazing. Still use my Austs in my rotation.
The term 'barber's notch' may be a more recent designation as many of the early advertisements from the late 1800s to early 20th century for SRs, you find often refer to the tip as either 'hollow point' or 'barber's point.'
[Attachment 244571Attachment 244572Attachment 244575
This old wedge has a severe 'hollow' point...
Attachment 244570
