Thread: got a shave at the barber shop today

Hi

I sometimes feel we forget how good our own shaves really are, and how high our standards are. I have watched barbers in two of Londons finest establishments, and when my friends came out I examined their faces carefully. I have to say that both shaves were very good but only on par or slightly better than my own straight shave.
Neither barber went against the grain, only WTG and XTG, in order to avoid irritation. They both used proper straight razors not shavettes.

By the way, the barbers I am speaking of charge £40 for a 15 minute shave !!!!


Regards
London

Yeah, I found mine to be less than what I had anticipated. It was a nice shave, but nothing beyond what I give myself. Like you, I took my own supplies (soap, strop, razor and brush).

When I first started SR shaving and back when I required a barber, I had my barber of many years do give me a shave.

It was an old style barber shop in Chicago that was set up for it, albeit using disposable blades.

The shave was great.

Letting someone else (even a familiar barber) hold a razor on my throat was a little unnerving. I spent the minutes under the initial hot towel wondering if I'd always tipped this guy well.

this guy charged 10 for cut and 10 for a shave... i gave him 25. i had to shave when i got home.. well not HAD.. but did.... it was cool for the nostalgia.

Originally Posted by hults

When I first started SR shaving and back when I required a barber, I had my barber of many years do give me a shave.

It was an old style barber shop in Chicago that was set up for it, albeit using disposable blades.

The shave was great.

Letting someone else (even a familiar barber) hold a razor on my throat was a little unnerving. I spent the minutes under the initial hot towel wondering if I'd always tipped this guy well.

I've always wanted to get a barber shop shave, but never been able to get passed that.

I wouldn't get a barber shave for the quality of the shave, but for the quality of the experience. They don't get that much practice these days, and while a few may know barbers that give great shaves, it's hit or miss for the rest of us.

Jordan

Its still commonplace and cheap in some countries, Turkey and India come to mind but Im sure there are other places, I had one in Turkey some years ago, it was a good shave but I seem to remember he gave me a few nicks, they do a great face massage as part of the package as well. Friend of mine just came back from Mumbai and he has a great video of his friend getting a face massage and shave for a few rupees, he wont let me post it online though.

I have been going to the same barber for over 30 years now and though he is nearing 70 years old he still does great shaves. He uses a Friodur that he has had since the Sixties and hones it on a tiny barber hone that he holds in the palm of his hand. HIs old Illinois strops look like they are totally worn out but he still swears by them. He employs two young barbers in his shop and they don't do shaves at all so maybe it is vanishing. Too bad.