Thread: First straight razor shave at a hair salon...

Well, I would imagine if the only thing to toucheck the strop was a sanitized razor, that should keep things fairly clean. Whether that's sanitary enough for regulations is another thing.

Hopefully PCM will have more info for us after his next visit to the barber.

I was there today and had asked them some questions. The showed me the razor, which I really didn't get to see closely, when I was there. Turns out it is a shavette, which makes sense. They said that the state doesn't consider strops as sanitary.

There is one customer that comes in and brings his own straight razor and the one guy there uses it to shave him. They said the customer just sends the razor out to be sharpened, when needed. I guess if I want to pamper myself, I could go there for the whole hot towel treatment, and have them use one of my razors.

The barber I talked to today uses Tea Tree shaving cream, but said that each of them has their own preferences and techniques. The barber I had Saturday, likes to use a gel as it provides a lot of moisturizing (not sure of the brand).

Interesting...

Well, I have to say I was fully expecting to read yet another horror story by a member of a visit to a barber for a straight shave. I was very pleasantly surprised that it was a good experience this time! Those are pretty few and far between from what I have seen! Congrats to you for finding a decent place and getting a decent shave there. Good stuff.

Over the years I have had several "professional" shaves. I had one that featured quite a bit of overshared areas with a lot of weepers and a mild rash and have had several very good ones. The first was a very long time ago and had an old Italian guy shave me with a traditional razor. The last person I dot shaved by said that they can use a razor and strop in BC but nobody does because of the maintenance and in Alberta they can use a traditional straight but it has to be sterilized in an autoclave, so stainless scales only in Alberta I guess, and that goes for their shavettes too. There are some skilled hands out there and some that are still learning. The last shave I got the barber asked if I shave with a straight then why get a barber shave. The answer is quite simple, I can get a perfect shave at home but not the whole treatment. I still like to try the different shops for a full service shave.

Originally Posted by DoughBoy68

I believe regular straight razors are not allowed here in TN for shaving or trimming the back of your neck. So, to get around that I take one of my own straight razors and when the barber starts to shave my neck I pull it out and say "Here, use this", you should see the look on their face! Only one of the ladies in the barber shop I go to has seen a real straight razor.

I take one of my razors so Bob the Barber can do my neck and sideburns. He thinks Bruno blades are awesome but prefers a 5/8 for normal shaving.

Originally Posted by RezDog

Over the years I have had several "professional" shaves. I had one that featured quite a bit of overshared areas with a lot of weepers and a mild rash and have had several very good ones. The first was a very long time ago and had an old Italian guy shave me with a traditional razor. The last person I dot shaved by said that they can use a razor and strop in BC but nobody does because of the maintenance and in Alberta they can use a traditional straight but it has to be sterilized in an autoclave, so stainless scales only in Alberta I guess, and that goes for their shavettes too. There are some skilled hands out there and some that are still learning. The last shave I got the barber asked if I shave with a straight then why get a barber shave. The answer is quite simple, I can get a perfect shave at home but not the whole treatment. I still like to try the different shops for a full service shave.

Did you find a Barber in Haida Gwaii that still used a straight or shavette? Plus...you live in Haida Gwaii? You lucky dog you!!

Originally Posted by Attila

Did you find a Barber in Haida Gwaii that still used a straight or shavette? Plus...you live in Haida Gwaii? You lucky dog you!!

There are no barbers here that do any shaves. In fact at times I am hard pressed to get a simple hair cut. The closest barber that does straight shaves is in Prince George. All of the shaves I have gotten from barbers in recent times has been on mainland trips. I have lived here for not quite all of my life, but since I was a small child. It is the very end of everything, and there are not a lot of people that choose to call this home.

Originally Posted by RezDog

and there are not a lot of people that choose to call this home.

That is a rare thing this day and age. Everywhere is looking crowded these days. Need me a trip to the country soon I think.

Originally Posted by RezDog

There are no barbers here that do any shaves. In fact at times I am hard pressed to get a simple hair cut. The closest barber that does straight shaves is in Prince George. All of the shaves I have gotten from barbers in recent times has been on mainland trips. I have lived here for not quite all of my life, but since I was a small child. It is the very end of everything, and there are not a lot of people that choose to call this home.

Sounds like a place i would like. I was born and raised very country and now live close to the Tn. River with almost no neighbors. I've seen films of BC and with the help of the computer have seen the area where you live. It has to be beautiful.

My first pro shave was across the pond. She was a real looker (or hooker) and I was young so quality really didn't matter.

It was nice to experience, a bucket list kind of thing. There is another barber in a neighboring town that does shaves too, and there is a barber at this place that will do a shave using the razor you bring. May try again some time, when I want to pamper myself.

For now, I'm pretty happy with my own shaving skills (haven't had a nick in months - knock on wood).