Thread: Price of a straight shave?

I recently was over a a friends house who was packing his gear for a trip overseas. While talking another friend he notices the strop and asks about it. As we begin explaining the virtues of str8 shaving he begins to "play" with the razor and attempts to strop as he had seen on tv. Wll he cut my buddies strop in half. So in a panicked rush he sends me to The Art of Shaving to pick him up another strop. Well to say I was shocked is an understament. A 18" Dovo strop was $60. They also offered shaves at the location I was at by appointment and walk-n. They were charging $35 for a shave. Now I have been living in and around NY all my life and have become somewhat desensitized to high prices, but this really seemed high to me for some reason. So my question to the group is:
What does a str8 shave cost where you live?

I have been to the Art of the Shave on Madison and 46th. Man they are high in price and the salesperson I spoke to was not very knowledgeable. Shaves at my barber in Queens cost $7.50 plus tip. :lol:

I'm completely turned off by going to a barber shop and being shaved with a disposable str8. When I asked if I could bring my own I was told no. Plus I dont go to the barber often enough to trust someone with a real str8 around my throat. Now one of you guys thats a different story, I think I would find myself able to trust you guys more then them cuz your all such upstanding gentlemen who dont walk around with doo-rags and jeans three sizes to big for you. :P

Funny you should say that. More of my friends haven't moved to str8s because of just that. When asked I will always say that I will not trust someone I don't know with a razor so near my throat. That being said, I have slowlybeen modifying that to maybe one of the group members. The Art of Shaving barbers will use your razor if you bring it with, I asked. Still for $35 I could get a nice razor from a group member.

I have so far found three barbers in my area that do shaves, although not the glorious shave I was expecting from a barber (I can get closer myself).

the first I was fully dissapointed with. no hot towel just lather on dry skin, one pass left a lot of hair. charged $10 CDN.
the second was a very nice experience with hot towel, hot lather, single pass cross grain (fairly clean shave but could feel stubble afterwards), and completed with aftershave lotion and a facial massage. charged $15 CDN. I will be going back to see if I can get a better shave from him with a second or third pass.
third barber I have not gone to yet, but advertises hot towel shave for $15 CDN.

Jon in Kitchener On.

Me, You(Nef), and RichZ need to get together so you help me out. I was proud of myself for what I accomplished the first time round yesterday but it was still crap and I know it. Help turn me into a shave pro.

MastrTcal, I will share whatever I can, just drop me a line. nef919 at h otmai l . c on

I just recently found out that the barbershop I go in Milwaukee gives shaves and charges $9. One of these times I'm going to give it a try. I've wanted to give it a try for awhile, but am a little nervous to have a straight around my throat without being in charge of using it myself. I heard or read somewhere that it's illegal for U.S. barbers to give shaves with an actual straight razor due to possible infections, etc.

MastrTcal,

Be glad to share what I have picked up from this group. I have been doing this since Christmas and have been shaving every day. This is one thing I really love doing. 8)

Can you hone and sharpen Rich?