Thread: What is a barber's notch for?

The Wiki has an answer too.

Couple of things in the last few months ...
We did a search looking for any printed reference of the Term and Name Barber's Notch/Point other then in newer writings...

Nothing so far

The names given in the old ads are Hollow Point or Hollow Notch
The actual Notch was more of just a C in the older razors around the Civil war...
There a a multitude of reasons that are given, but none so far are proved, including that it is even called a barber's notch

I really love this discussion.......

I have had more than one old barber tell me that it was for making opening the razor easier.

One day when our time machine is working properly, we will venture back to when they were invented and find the true answer. Until then, see what you can come up with.

Have fun,

Lynn

Originally Posted by pinklather

He said with some confidence that the notch was used largely as a pivot surface, and to some extent as a depth gage to limit the depth of an incision. He was referring to how Barbers also performed medical procedures (there's a reason we have razors labeled 'tonsorial'.

This doesn't appear to make much sense.
How could it realistically be used as a pivot or depth gauge?
Razors are labelled 'tonsorial' because this word pertains to 'shearing' or 'shaving'.
A 'tonsure' is the name given to the shaven crown of the head, beloved of medieval monks and actors playing Friar Tuck.

It's probably just decorative, like tail-fins on fifties automobiles.

PLEASE DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME.......I was told from an old barber that it makes the tip easier to insert into the nostril to shave nose hair. Imagine just placing the tip in the rim of your nose and doing a quick spin. HE WAS ONLY KIDDING BUT I STILL FIND IT AMUSING. AGAIN, DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME!!!!

Originally Posted by welshwizard

A 'tonsure' is the name given to the shaven crown of the head, beloved of medieval monks and actors playing Friar Tuck.

Mine grew naturally, no shaving involved!
And no, I'm not a monk, even though I might have a few dirty habits.

It's for fun

Gentlemen:

I can only assume the nickname barber's notch came from barbers for the straight razors with a type of hollow point that they found practical when opening. Whether such points were designed strictly for barbers seems a bit far fetched.

I also can see the reason for the round point for its perceived assurance of safety, and the spike, square and French points for their purpose of offering precision in tight spots. The hollow point with its nicknamed variations of Spanish point, Dreadnought and Barber's notch perhaps is another attempt at precision in tight spots.

That all these razor points were mere decorations is also plausible. After all, I can only assume that in addition to a sharp edge for the purpose of shaving the beard, manufacturers also considered aesthetics in producing their straight razors.

All assumptions, of course.

Regards,
Obie

I would imagine the notch (by removing metal) affects the balance of the razor at least in the realm of the theoretical and measured by diminishing returns.

My hunch is that some razor grinder (lost to history) started the notch to make his razors look different and then before long everyone was copying the style in order to look different too.

Semper circa,
LG Roy

Originally Posted by pinklather

(there's a reason we have razors labeled 'tonsorial'. This perhaps dignifies the then common practice of 'bleeding' someone for a fever or infection, but apparently the practice was common w/ leeches and other methods around the beginning of the 19th Century.

Yes, there is a reason many razors are sables "tonsorial"

ton·so·ri·al (t n-sôr - l, -s r-). adj. Of or relating to barbering or a barber