Thread: Barbers Notch question

Hello all,

Just a quick question. What is the barbers notch for? Some razors have it and some don't but is it just a cosmetic addition or was there once or maybe still, an actual practical reason why the notch is there?

Just wondered

PDav

I do not think there is a consensus on what it is for, for me it is cosmetic feature.

Originally Posted by mainaman

I do not think there is a consensus on what it is for, for me it is cosmetic feature.

Cosmetic for me too. Other explanations that I've heard are that it allows barbers to open the blade more easily with wet hands (can just about see that one) and, allows barbers to mark moles etc to make them easier to avoid (don't even understand that one). I think they just look good but am open to correction.

I too think it's cosmetic, however there is speculation that it could be for assisting the barber to open the blade one handed by catching the notch on the shirt pocket.

Tons of speculation on it but one thing we have not found so far is that it is even called a "Barber's Notch" in the old ads it is refered to as a Hollow Point or a Hollow Notch...

Also try the opening on the pocket thing, sorry but I am just not seeing that as a viable option The first time I ever tried it myself, when I actually needed to open it with one hand I realized that it didn't work ...
Was demonstrating how a Babrber's Hone worked, and was trying to pop a razor open without putting the hone down and realized it had a Notch so I tried hooking it on my jeans pocket, and my shirt pocket with ZERO success...

Hello, PDave: I agree with these gentlemen about all the theories on the barber's notch. From my research I have found one major bit of information: that there are many theories and no definitive answers.

I believe the notch is decorative more than practical. None of the early advertising, that I have seen, refer to it as a barber's notch. It is usually referred to as a "hollow point". And with towels wrapped around his customer's torso and face, why would a barber be concerned about having wet hands? It seems like it would be easier to dry your hands than to wave a sharp razor about, flipping it open one-handed like a tonsorial ninja. Also, in reading a number of early books on barbering, there is no suggestion made that the barber in training should flip his razor open using one hand and a convenient pocket. And, lastly, if this method of opening a razor was a necessity to the "wet handed barber" wouldn't all razors have a notch for that purpose? Just asking . . . . .

Regards - Walt

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:

This may have been total bs on my old barbers part when I asked him about the barbers notch several years ago. He said that the notch made the toe of the blade slightly more flexible allowing him to better shave areas such as around the nostrils and in the hollows of the neck. Don't know if it's true or not but it sounds alright.

its a aiming device....