Thread: Nothing against the Barbers

Kevint,

Going back over your post I get the sincere view that because you shave fewer people and don't have to use a barber hone that you can achieve a single shave better than the tradesmen. I follow that logic pretty well.

I think my perspective is that in general barbers were better because they shaved so many people and had so many nearby resources for support.

The other thing that hits me is that a big difference between the hobbiest and the professional is that you get paid to do it. I think getting paid for it forces you to attain a higher level of quality.

I understand the argument that the professional earns a living with his skill.

But my motivation to be good at owning and using a straight razor is more basic. It's my face.

Well done, English - spot on.

Bert Little was a master barber i used to visit as a kid. I used to time him on my old 'Timex' watch - shave and a haircut (short back & sides of course!) just FIFTEEN minutes. This included a hot towel prior to lather then a REAL straight razor(no guard!!) for the shave & neck trim - the guy was like lightning! He'd been an Army barber where I guess speed was the key and, I am glad to say, he started my long interest in straight razors. Alas, I never had a shave from him (too young!) but I'll never forget that straight whispering across the back of my neck - dry BBS!!! - and behind my ears........


Bert's long gone now but if only a few can follow his lead then barbering will live on. Me? I haven't the skill - or nerve - to shave others but those who can - please do! rock on Bert!

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

Kevint,

Going back over your post I get the sincere view that because you shave fewer people and don't have to use a barber hone that you can achieve a single shave better than the tradesmen. I follow that logic pretty well.

I think my perspective is that in general barbers were better because they shaved so many people and had so many nearby resources for support.

The other thing that hits me is that a big difference between the hobbiest and the professional is that you get paid to do it. I think getting paid for it forces you to attain a higher level of quality.

I'm not sure they had so many resources. In the big cities perhaps, but here in the US things remained rather rural / small town for quite sometime. Perhaps you mean something different.

I was suggesting that we in general can do better without the constraints of customer satisfaction, wage earning, and etc. There sure is a lil hubris in my comments- call me an excited newbie. A barber sharpens to shave. I shave to sharpen. It's a fun way to occupy oneself. If I were only interested in shaving I think I would bail out of the forum and go on with my life after I became competent, ie about 100 posts 3 months

i am going to get more barber shaves. i meant to go much sooner, but was too psched about doing it myself to see what had changed since i always change things.