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Im planning on barber school in the Boston area and really want to pursue barbering as an art and craft including straight razor shaves. Ive seen a few chains trying to provide a "gentlemens" shave and cut but they seem more of a gimmick. Im a convert to the straight razor for my own shaving,and practice and learn all I can. Other enthusiest are you there?
My dear Medic 484,
No, I am not a barber, but I have the highest regards for real barbers. Indeed, it is a noble profession. I wish you the best in your studies to become a real barber.
Regards,
Obie
I am not a barber either but something interesting happened to me this week. I stopped into a new Mens barbershop that offered "Hot Towel Shaves" I decided to get one as I have never had anyone else shave my face in my life. Well, the barber gave me a subpar shave but he was on to something. Theres noone in my area that gives old school shaves anymore. My wife said"maybe after you retire in 2 years you should start a gentlemans barbershop and offer straight razor shaves, you do a waaaaay better job than that guy did" Well, I doubt I can cut hair but I think giving shaves would be cool, bad thing is, you cant survive just giving shaves. I wish you luck Medic, I think what you are doing is awesome! I always thought a shop that catered to men is what every city needs. Leather couches, sports on the TV, Pool table, a humidor full of fine stogies, and a master barber giving haircuts, shaves, and telling stories.........Ahhhh the life!
Billy
So is shaving with a traditional straight razor legal in Massachusetts? I'm not talking shavette, which should be legal since they use disposable blades. I got a shave from a barber in Colorado this summer but he said legally he couldn't use a straight razor. He used a disposable and cleaned up with a shavette. I'm just wondering because I'd like to find somewhere in the U.S. where I could get a real barber shave. And since it looks like I might be visiting Boston in the next few months.....
Keenedge,
That's interesting about the Colorado barber's comment regarding the use of straight razors being illegal in barbershops. I have never heard of that. Unless, it has something to do with insurance, maybe?
Perhaps one of the Straight Razor Place experts can explain the Colorado barber's claim.
Regards,
Obie
Most states will allow a barber to give a shave but they must have a onetime use blade so most that still offer a straight shave use the straight looking razors with the disposable blades a shavette. If you can find an old barber that has been trained and take one of your blades to them some will give you a shave with your own razor! I don't know that this helps any but I just thought I would throw that in. And Medic I hope you do well in your quest to become a barber! I only go to old barbers to get my hair cut. They seem to always do the best job!! So seek out an old barber and just learn all you can! :gl:
In Mass you cannot use a straight for reasons of hygine, you just cant get then clean enough for public use, although mabey if they were autoclaved, and of stainless steel blade and scale, so here and i suspect most areas of the states barbers use a shavette, im gonna make so inquieries. I hope to be able to deliver a proper shave with the shavette. My plan is for my own shop would be five years down the road after Ive got some experience, ha! was gonna say after Ive got some cuts and shaves under my belt but that does'nt seem to be saying what I mean to say, that would be for a differnt forum.
Obie,Quote:
Originally Posted by Obie
I think it had to do with sanitary regulations. From what I remember, when AIDS came along many health regulations started to change. I may have that wrong though, since the information is coming from my feeble memory. :)
In just about every state that I know of you can't use straights for sanitary reasons and its in the health codes. Even in states where its legal (if it is) many won't because of insurance issues. No different with using the same shave brush on everyone, you can't do that either. Of course you could set up shop in your house and do it as a private thing but you'd never get insurance.
That's exactly what my barber told me recently. He said certain states still allow the traditional shave, but you have to have a special license (something about barbering license vs. cosmetology license) and the process was very tedious and expensive. Alas, we get the same thing as others described: hot towel & a disposable-blade razor.Quote:
Originally Posted by keenedge
I too am getting ready to go to barber school. Currently saving money to live with while waiting my turn on the waiting list. This thread over at Badger & Blade has been very helpful for me.
Did you link the wrong thread, maybe, perhaps??
I really like this thread as I am a Barber in the Hilton Head, SC Area.
I would like to address a few concerns here.
- First, in SC, it is not illegal to use a real straight razor. I don't know about other states as I am only currently registered in SC. The same solutions, that sanitize our combs, or the UV sterilization cases that sterilize clipper blades and scissors will sterilize straights just fine for public use.
- AIDS seems to be the virus that alarms people will dealing with the public. I have researched this through many qualified doctors. In order for a barber or patron to contract AIDS the cuts on each person would have to be made simultaneously and immediately the two bleeding areas would have to touch. The AIDS virus is a very weak virus and dies almost instantly when exposed to the air.
- Many Barbers will say its illegal because they simply don't want to mess with it. In fact the way i found out it was legal in SC was when one goes to get their license they test you on shaving procedures. So i asked, why do you test people on shaves if they are illegal to perform. The man at the barber board said, "who told you it was illegal, they are legal" The barber who owned the shop i worked for at the time told me that. NOW i own my own shop.
- As far as shaving brushes, I have a local potter whom i have contracted with to custom make shaving mugs. We are having a mug rack made, just like in the old days, where our clients will have their own mugs with their names on them for all to see. Pretty cool.
- Back to sterilization: You know the clippers or T-edgers barbers use to clean around the ears? Patrons don't realize this many times those tools cause bleeding if a barber must go over an area several times to get those stubborn hairs, and many barbers never sanitize those clippers. We do of course but many don't.
Now for you my friend going in to Barbering. It is a wonderful profession. I Have been barbering for 16 years. I have a wife and 3 kids and my wife stays at home with the kids. Barbering has been very good to us. I must say though, it takes time. You have to develop a clientele and that takes time. Don't do it because you are thinking of quitting high school early and it is the only profession you can do with a GED. Find a real good BARBER school and it may mean you have to go to another state to learn. I did! It is not a get rich quick profession or a profession to get rich at anytime but as I am witnessing, its almost recession proof.
I would love to speak with you about this and answer any questions you may have.
GOOD LUCK and Happy Shaving!
Oops. Downside to using a phone for all my browsing needs I suppose. Do you have an interest in barbering? - Badger & BladeQuote:
Originally Posted by kevbell
I've been following that thread for some time also. There is a brand new college that has opened up less than 40 mi. from here. I went to check it out.Quote:
Originally Posted by Muirtach
Very nice person. One teacher and two part time students now. He just got his instructor license not too long ago. The upside would be more individual attention.
The school that impressed me the most is two hours away in Ft. Wayne. I went to visit them one day. Nice school and instructor. It's a cosmetology and barber school combined. Cosmo. on one side and barber school on the other. It's in a busy shopping district with a lot of walk in.
The only prob. is the commute. I would probably have to find a room to rent for the week and come home for the weekend. Plus my mortgage and all my other expenses.
Ohh, the things to think about.....
Kev
great to hear from some of the Barbers out there, Im going into the profession from many years in the EMS field and would like to pursure barbering as craft and art, get some good mentoring and skill then open my own shop when the time is right, if i gotta move to make this happen after my apprenticeship then i will. sound like SC should be on my list
Barbers use straights- non-disposable- in Illinois.
Matt
Hi Guys,
I have been a barber in NJ for 25+ years. The reason so few people/places shave any more is TIME = $. In the late 1970's when men started getting their hair "styled" the barbers found they could make way more money styling mens hair than giving shaves. So the skill base deteriorated as new barbers and stylists entered the industry but did learn how to give a real shave they only learned enough to pass their state test. Then along came aides and states like CA, NY, Florida started banning the use of straight razors, so now there was another reason for not learning how to shave. As you all know to be good at giving a close shave you must invest time and do it often, but why if they can make more money doing hairstyles..... it's simple math, figure out how long it takes to give the kind of service your talking about, then figure out how many you can do in a day, can you live on that after expenses of owning and running a barbershop (rent, insurance, supplies, advertising, etc ). I highly recommend a business plan, it's takes time and research to do a thorough job, but it's very eye opening and a good reality check before you plunge into your dream only to find you can't eat at the end of the day.
Jolene
Hi Jolene,Quote:
Originally Posted by Jolene
What you said makes sense. I just wanted to comment that a barber I visited this summer charges more for a shave than a haircut. It made sense to me since he goes through two disposable razors per shave. I suspect a style costs more than his haircut as well, @ $17.00. I don't know, I haven't had my hair cut in a shop for about 20 years. :)
Barbershop Prices :: Gentlemen's Barber
Great Reply Jolene. One issue many barbers have had over the years, including myself is not raising the price with inflation. Now, of course, is not a good time to raise prices. Thank goodness for history repeating itself. Or at least the interest people have in nostalgia and just plane feeling good and wanting a relaxing shave. We are able to do shaves and make them profitable. We actually make a little extra when we do a shave than a hair cut. The process we use is very much like a spa experience so we can charge more.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jolene
Love your tip about a business plan. this will be important for those interested in becoming a barber because if one does an effective business plan hopefully it will include the location at which one practices their barbering skills. I would venture to say it would be a more profitable trade in a place like Atlanta, than a place like Mayberry. The great thing about barbering now is so many young people are seeking out barbers who have that old timey feel but can also give a great contemporary hair cut. I LOVE WHAT I DO!
I own a barbershop in Mass and it is not illegal to shave with a traditional straight-edge as long as you abide the code of sanitation. As a shaving enthusiast myself, I would be a hypocrite not to offer as legit Straight Shave at my shop and it is definitely a service that people in the boston area are searching for. I choose to use a shavette (Magic Razor) simply because the customer feels more comfortable seeing the barber place a fresh clean blade in the razor every use, also, I am not very good at honing and stropping a razor and I am currently unable to get an edge as clean/sharp as the disposables.Quote:
Originally Posted by medic484
I am also a Master Barber in SC and we provide straight razor shaves. We also use shavettes but offer the traditional razor if they want the experience. Only a few people have ever requested it. It is a much needed and desired service that Men want and should never be faded out of the Barber shop.
EVERY SINGLE BARBER I've talked to says this same exact thing. When I look at that in comparison to my attitudes towards my boss/job, I wonder what's holding me back from making the switch.Quote:
Originally Posted by LowCountryBarber
Good for you.
A question for the barbers here... What I had heard some years ago was that the reason for not allowing the traditional straight razor shave was the concern about transmitting the long lived Hepatitis bug. Whats more, it was said that the strop was the main carrier of the bug since it could not be sterilized. Any comments?
I used to get straight razor shaves in Brooklyn, in a barber shop across from Cangiano's on 13th Ave. It was a two chair barber shop that was caught in a time warp, the guy who shaved me smoked cigars, had a Clark Gable mustache and always wore a suit. No shavette there. Cream massage, hot towel, lather, hot towel, lather, shave, lather, shave, hot towel, after shave (that felt like lava for a second or two), a couple of slaps and out the door. I think I paid $13 last time I was there, 18 years ago. That and a shoeshine used to be my treat back then. You know you feel like a dandy after a good shave an shine! :)
Now I get a "straight" shave in NYC, on 46th between 6th and 7th, and get a shavette job. He misses the spots where my hair is a bit too independent, but I get a decent shave, although not as nice a shave or treatment as I got in Brooklyn.
Got one last week and on impulse (since my two straights are being cleaned and honed by a well known guy here) I asked him if he would use my straight if I brought it in... his answer? "oh, no... those things are dangerous!" I kid you not.
Once, in this place, I almost got a bic shave. When I saw the guy get the disposable I complained, and the owner stepped in and did a shavette shave.
For the record, a haircut is $18 and a shave is $20 there, which I find to be a fair price. All said, after tipping the barber a whooping $7 and the shampoo girl an exorbitant $5 it comes out to a round fifty spot. I don't get a shave with every haircut, though.
Now that I think about it... the two slap thing... is that something common or it's just that the guy didn't like me?
I am actually thinking of applying to a barber school and have certainly been shopping around. After a bad experience with the local technical school basically ripping me off over a technology certification that was not supported I am reluctant to apply to another program there. They do however offer a restricted Barber and Master Barber course plus state examination. Wording that seems to be lacking in most schools I have looked at in Florida. I did find Florida Barber Academy in Pompano Beach near Miami that actually specifies on their site that they teach hot lather shave, but its so very far away clear on the other end of the state. Fact of the matter is I have just about exhausted all of my educational options financially speaking and due to economic changes with the workforces that those educational routes fallow.
I'm not anymore fond of hard labor than the next guy and as much as I fancy myself an artist, lets face it art doesn't generally pay the bills, much less for its own materials. Considering my own vain eccentricities, I'm good with my hands and although I have drawn tattoos I'm just not good enough to put them on people. So I figure why not. The sterility of instruments within a tattoo shop is very much the same as a barbers if not to a greater standard and I am quite well versed. A few shops I have been in were actually converted from old barbershops, they even have a similar smell from the styptics and medicated moisturizers.
I'm still trying to find information on the laws governing tool usage in Florida per say but I'm sure its legal in Georgia because I saw a youtube vid showing a straight razor shave at "The Art of Shaving" that I believe was in Atlanta. I do not see why a fully stainless steal razor (&scales) could not be autoclaved or at the very least boiled without loosing temper. I think disinfectant or alcohol would be sufficient as carbon steel is argued to give a better edge. Why is there a need to disinfect the strop? Of what I know, and do myself is strop after drying my razors to be sure the blade is clear of moisture before putting them away. The alcohol evaporating should aid in drying so would it not make sense to disinfect prior to stropping for the next shave anyway? It would seem feasible to add an antimicrobicide to strop dressing. SRD even sells Vegan friendly synthetic material strops that might behave differently to disinfection.
I have not told anyone that I am looking into attending a barber school yet. Its bound to turn a few heads since I don't often get my hair cut. The last couple times I donated 10" or more to Locks of Love. For awhile a lady cut my hair as she bounced from shops and salons I fallowed her around. She had a large male clientele, apparently lots of bikers, lol no doubt they enjoy the salon shampoo too. My barbershop experiences in the past were not always great. I think the last barber I went too kept trying to talk me into a buzz cut. The last trim I got for free from a friend of mine that went to the cosmetology program at the same technical school and she said styling mens hair was harder in her opinion more than likely because there is allot less to work with sometimes. I do worry about the beauty school drop out stigma with all the cosmetology schools that offer some form of barber or mens styling program ergo Paul Mitchel Orlando. Hell there is in AVEDA in just about every major city in the state now. More and more I'm seeing barbering as a trade skill that is as mentioned above recession proof and has much to do with skill. Not only are full service barbers coming back into popularity but it could potentially be a profession I enjoy with the ability to produce a sustainable income. I know folks tossing pizza with masters degrees. More than likely If I have to move to go to a better school it may wait a bit. Several of my friends are intrigued with my interest in straight razors and have volunteered completely on their own accord to be shaved except I'm still trying to get better at shaving myself first.
Wonder if they will freak at the site of tarnish or water/lather spots/marks on my old bangers? Its just good old fashioned workmanship!
Hepatitis is the major concern with strops. Disinfecting the strop is not practical.
I understand hepatitis is the blood borne disease of today but I fail to see how it can be transferred to the strop from the razor unless the razor was not sterilized after its previous shave before being stropped again.
Your correct,and nailed the problem. The barbers were not effectively sterilizing the razor after the shave & before stropping. IIRC, alcohol is not effective in killing the hepatitis bacteria. The most effective stuff is Barbercide/Clippercide and takes awhile.
Hope this helps, :)
+1Quote:
Originally Posted by randydance062449
Out here in Cali, it's the same general consensus in regard to hygiene, but I know of a shop around here where you can buy an annual 'membership' and they'll reserve a mug, badger brush and SR in their shop solely for you. All precautions are taken to disinfect and maintain your shave set.
Let's hear some opinions about this...