Thread: So, what was the barber's notch for?

Not sure if It was in the wiki when I went through it but I read in other places it being called a Sheffield notch. No doubt that is also disputed as a point of origin. Seems to me that it would be a way of removing weight from the tip to make a more balanced blade.

It is also sometimes called a hoglahoo gouge. It just depends who you talk to

I actually asked a Neighbor of mine that very question (is a very old retired barber) His answere I thought was very unique,without a thought he said: the notch is used to open the blade one handed by hooking it into the cuff of my barbers smock,never heard that one before.

i think it's just to look awesome. like flame decals.

I don't think the barber's notch was used for shaving. It was probablly used during blood-letting years by holding your finger along the spine and the finger tip resting in the notch holding the balde steady while making the insinsion.

Hey there Guys,

I don't know about any of you, but I use the notch when I hone razors. It makes manipulation of the blade much easier, with a little manual dexterity I can really move the blade about using it.

Carl.

My guess and that is all anybody has, not real function just fashion. then again i have seen it listed as a "dreadnought" as it looks like the bow of the very early steel battleships.

or maybe it is something to make future generations say "i wonder what ???? was for"

When the razor reached the end of its life it became a cheese knife 😃


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