Thread: What's the notch for?

Hey! Wondering if there is a purpose in the "barber's notch" or if it's really just for looks. I don't mind if it is just for looks; I think it looks super cool. Really just a curiosity thing.
I'm still looking around on ebay, mostly just watching auctions to see what I can get a decent wade and butcher for, as this seems to be the favored brand.
By the way, I just saw a "Puma Gold 6/8" go for over $400 on ebay. Who has that kind of scratch for a razor?!

Anyone who buys one of Mastro Livi or Bill Ellis customs.

Danno,

Theories on the barbers notch.

1 - A guide for moles and blemishes

2- Easy one handed opening.

I definately don't believe the second theory
at all.

My guess is simply looks. Or at one time it
could have been some sort of marketing
gimmick.

Regardless, I also think they look cool.


Terry

I don't have a clue either but I find that when I do my chin area I usually use my off hand to stablize the razor during the S-N pass and that notch just seems to be made to order for that. Hmm...

Barber's notch is used for easier management of tricky places, like under the nose, because larger sizes barber razors can be difficult to guide there...

Nenad

When you're doing the coup-d-maitre, if you put your off-hand thumb in the notch it's really easy to pull off the pivoting-sliding motion, even with a big razor. The razor pivots around the shank and the notch very cleanly, and you've got two hands to control the razor as you slide down. That's the only use I've ever found for it.

Hmmm... if we only had an old-time barber as a member to tell us. Maybe one of the guys who get a barber shave occasionally can ask their tonsorial guru?

Originally Posted by azjoe

Hmmm... if we only had an old-time barber as a member to tell us. Maybe one of the guys who get a barber shave occasionally can ask their tonsorial guru?

Ok, ok ..., I'll tell you guys what it's for.

It's a sight. You use it to line up on the area you want to shave in the mirror. Then you just swoop the razor right into the 10-ring and whack the targeted whisker.

Originally Posted by Howard Wallace

Ok, ok ..., I'll tell you guys what it's for.

It's a sight. You use it to line up on the area you want to shave in the mirror. Then you just swoop the razor right into the 10-ring and whack the targeted whisker.

Howard,

I was thinking of saying the same thing.
I guess great minds think alike.......


Terry

It's for trimming the hair inside the nostril with the tip of the razor. Without it, there would be no way to get the nose hairs with the razor. Before you ask.. .no, I'm not joking and yes, it does work.

410.00 for the Puma Gold was a very fair price.