Thread: Argument with a Barber

Hey so figured I would post my recent experience with a young barber. Little back story, there used to be this barbershop called Miracle Mile that I used to go to when I was in my early 20's, and there was this old guy who gave traditional straight shaves as well as trained young barbers. Ok fast forward to 2019 and my usual barber is busy and wasn't able to get me in for my usual time so I opted to shop around and see who else could cut hair in town. There is a pretty good barbershop scene in my area so thought it would be a fun experiment. Well came across a small hole in the wall that I drive past everyday, turns out this young barber was trained by the OG at Miracle Mile. This was enough for me, so I sat down for my usual fade.
Well the guy can definitely cut hair, but the conversation eventually led to straights, as it usually does with barbers. Started asking him if he gave shaves, what he used for products, etc. He doesn't use a brush and uses some new age barber cream stuff, as well as a cheap shavette with Derby blades. He started to get really arrogant and told me he could give me the best shave of my life in 14 passes. He started going through how he would do this, and I eventually stopped him and said "you realize not everyone's beard hair grows the same direction", and explained how some of those 'strokes' would be against the grain on my face, and would no doubt lead to irritation, if done of the first pass. He obviously got offended that I was telling him this, even after I explained that I shaved with a straight and was familiar with modern barber training. He was convinced that I was full of shit, and I was convinced he was too.
This was very disheartening as he was trained by a local legend at Miracle Mile, and that he was unteachable. Even with the best training and schooling you can still be wrong. I am curious of what others experiences have been like with modern shaves in the states. I do know there is a guy on Route 66 who still gives 'traditional' straight shaves. Not aware if there is anywhere else in the states that is allowed to do this still. However in my experience they all have used some variation of a shavette.

-Laramie-

I think that the only way that your question about his technique would be answered would be to have him give you a shave.

I have had 2 barber shaves that used shavettes . I was happy with the results and the shaves were good but the time and cost to pay someone what I can do myself keeps me from doing it again.

I got into an argument with a barber once and walked out in the middle of a haircut.

Originally Posted by 32t

I got into an argument with a barber once and walked out in the middle of a haircut.

I see quite a few kids (anyone under 30 or so) that look like their haircut was not finished.

Our local barber shop charges $29 for a shave. However, they are required
to use a disposable razor (they use Feather), and they say that hardly anyone
ever asks for a shave anymore. There are still a couple of old strops and straight
razors on display, but never used.

They use the Feather around the ears and neck after a haircut, but they use some
machine generated glop for lather. I gave my barber a sample bottle of Ogallala
Bay Rum Sage and Cedar, but she told me that I'm the only one who ever asks
for any sort of aftershave anymore.

One time I was there, all four chairs were busy with me and 3 bearded college students.
When my barber applied the Bay Rum, there was a chorus of "What is that smell?!"
from the Gen Xes.

Pox on them.

Cotati barbershop

Guy I go to uses a feather after my haircut on the back of my neck. Usually feels pretty nice as he will use hot lather and all. Barber probably didn't like some random person telling him he didn't know what he was doing (with something in his field) so I am not that surprised he got mad.

My Barber does the shave around ears and neck. He used the mandatory disposable blade. I suffered through one of these sessions my first trip.

Since then I take one of my straights. Bob really enjoyed using a Bruno blade. I take other makes but he likes the Brunos even though he always used 5/8 full hollow blades when he did do shaves.

Barbers only use shavettes around here and usually the ones that use DE blades. No idea what a shave costs as I do that myself. After one barber used a shavette and really thin Proraso lather to clean up my neck I would not let him near my face. Most do not know the difference between a shavette and straight razor. I found that out at one shop where it took the female hairdresser to tell the male barber the difference. Turns out her husband uses straights.

Bob

I’m still looking for a barber after the guy I used to go to retired 5 years ago. Damn hard to find someone personable and good at cutting hair. I grew up with a barber who would shave around your ears and neck, with men’s magazines all over the place and regulars sitting around shooting the s. When I found a place almost exactly the same I had no reason to go anywhere else, but when he retired the guy who took over the shop was good and well trained by my barber until something happened with his family and the place shut down.

I have had a couple of shaves from barbers, I still much prefer my own hand to theirs for comfort and closeness, though all the prep is nice as I don’t go through all the trouble.

Ive never had someone else shave me. And I've talked to a few barbers about razors. Like Bob said, most don't know the difference between a shavette and a real straight. I recently talked to a guy that just got out of barber school that said using a straight was easy and he had no problems doing it. I would not let him shave me! Easy for him with no experience sounds like irritation and razor burn to me.
The cost of 50 bucks for a shave keeps me from even thinking about having it done. Its tough to find an old barber who is willing to give a shave now in my area. I've asked around but the ones who have experience and Id think about letting them shave me don't do it any more.

A lot of nice vintage razors can be had for $50, I think I may have paid $20 for the last one I had, they did an ok job but even if it were free I would of preferred to do it myself.