Thread: Barbers Notch question

I have heard all the above. I have also heard it was used in older times when gentlemen had long moustaches, so that the moustache could be pulled upwards through the notch and a close shave around it could be had. I dismissed this too, for it doesn't in my mind seem feasible to go to such endeavours when forging the razor.

+1 for cosmetic.

Same as third pins.

Wow,

How such a simple question can spark a debate!! Thanks guys for all the replies. I am new to this so when asking the question I had absolutely no idea what the answers were likely to be. I have never heard a single explanation of what the notch is for. Having read the answers so far I think it's probably a cosmetic addition that, if shallow enough will allow it to be used practically. I don't know what you think of that but I will welcome your points of view

Pdav

I believe it was a joke from the razor makers, who knew that 150 years later we'd be wondering why they put it there.

It's common knowledge that razors are manufactured in much the same way that donuts are. Similarly, barber notches are cut out and the resulting round bits are sold as 'blade holes' to people having a smaller area to shave... like the inside of a nostril.

actually they were made so a 1 armed man could open them... *(actually saw this explanation on ebay)

Originally Posted by shooter74743

While I hardly ever disagree with you Glen, I actually had to go and see. I think it's all about where on the blade the notch is and how deep the blade sits in the scales. First pic is a 7/8 custom that I made and second is a 8/8...both worked on the shirt pocket opening:

Attachment 75426

Attachment 75427

They are lovely razors. Especially the one with the scalloped spine. Where would one get hold of a razor like that and how much would it cost. Really like the one with the stamped blade too

By the gift of being omnipotent (does that word remind anyone else of ED meds?) I KNOW as a matter of fact that Jimbo almost has it: the notch is a relief for nostrils to trim nose hair!
Now this process taskes considerably more skill than most lay-folk have obtained in their lives, but a skilled man can quickly and easily remove the offending foliage in one quick motion. The unfortunate truth is that the great level of skill required to perform such a task is practically unreachable for most and fell out of fashion. Since the skill could only be mastered by those of us with certain blood and much was diluted with the dissociation of the caste system, I would suggest no one attempt to copy the skills of my people for fear of permanent disfigurement.
I might also state that the people who have the innate ability to control this tool to its highest level do not grow such an unsightly and unclean genetic abnormality as extended nasal hair.

They are for locking your razors in a partially open position using a short metal bar, for the purposes of allowing air to circulate between the scales and the blade between customers.

James.