Thread: This looks like a great old school barber to get a shave from

I go there myself for the odd shave and a haircut. This place is only 10 minutes from my house. Great 1920s Dublin atmosphere. Liam has sharpened and stropped a couple of my razors in the past, so dont worry about the sag in the strop - look at it closely and you can see the blade still runs across a flat piece of leather.

I see what you mean. Now my question is which method is better, the taut strop or the loose one?

Originally Posted by stygian

I see what you mean. Now my question is which method is better, the taut strop or the loose one?

The answer, I think, is the best method is the one that works best for you! I mean that sincerely. I prefer to let my (illinois #361) hanging strop sag just a little, and use a fairly light touch. Of course, I learned to strop and shave from my dad, so I'm admittedly biased.

Keeping the strop as flat as possible is probably the best way to avoid mistakes, and is likely the most efficient, which is probably why it's taught to barber students. Like many skills, though, there is often more than one way to get the job done satisfactorily.

Back to the main topic - If I didn't live a few thousand miles away, I'd jump at the chance to get a shave from Liam. Pure luxury!

Cheers,
Jeff

Something else I just noticed watching this video (it's kind of mesmerizing so I've watched it a several times): He's shaving WTG, XTG and ATG all in the first pass!?

Is it that when you've been shaving with a straight long enough the whole WTG, XTG, ATG scheme breaks down and you just shave?

Originally Posted by stygian

Something else I just noticed watching this video (it's kind of mesmerizing so I've watched it a several times): He's shaving WTG, XTG and ATG all in the first pass!?

Sometimes that happens to me!