Barber Shop - Worst shave EVER!

I just recently purchased my first straight which Lynn is currently honing. Over the last 2 months I've converted to a DE and get a darn good shave. Today I decided to go to a local barber to catch a straight edge shave prior to doing one myself. There results? ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE!!!

About half way through the shave I just knew it was going to be a mess. Too much pressure, a blade change (it was a disposable) and a bit of pain. Why didn't I stop him? Because I thought he knew what he was doing. When I stood up from his chair, my neck was a bloody mess. At what point did it occur to him this wasn't right? Never. I had to ask for styptic liquid. Even after that I had to go to the bathroom to clean up.

Right now it's about an hour after my shave and my neck is still on fire. The sides of my face are unevenly shaven and I've had better shaves with my mach 3.

Anyway, I know I'll get a better shave on my own. I just feel like I had to rant here...I'm dying right now. If anyone has any clever remedies, feel free to share. For now I'm going to get a bucket of ice!

Bill

Sorry to hear about your bad exoerience!:eek:
I hope he gave you a refund and an apology!:rant:

I hope that some of the guys here will chime in with what face balm might help you thru this.
Perhaps something with Aloe Vera and Vitamin E?

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Originally Posted by randydance062449

I hope that some of the guys here will chime in with what face balm might help you thru this.
Perhaps something with Aloe Vera and Vitamin E?

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Perhaps theres a doctor/member that can give advice on how they treat burn victims. =[

It's been several hours and things are tollerable now. I think I'll use salons from here on out. ;)

You will get much better shaves on your own, technique is important. No one would ever believe me and no one would ever try my technique because it just doesn't make any sense, but I find that I can shave correctly over mild razor burn with a DE and good cream and somehow remove razor burn completely. I haven't a clue why it works, but for me it does. In your case though, I think you might be beyond a mild case of razor burn and may be into the serious injury area. I would recommend going to a pharmacy and getting some advice from them for an actual burn. Sterile water application may be the simple approach to prevent infection.

I can imagine the horror you could cause to someone with an overhoned blade and not even know it because you can't tell when your shaving someone else.

I unfortunately have lots of experience in this area :-(

A bit on the late side now, but I almost always finish off my shaves with Natureade Aloe 80. Available in most health food stores, Whole Foods and Wild Oats.

Randy

Can you tell me where this barber is so I never go there..... :rant:

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Originally Posted by RichZ

Can you tell me where this barber is so I never go there..... :rant:

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Orlando Fl. A lil ways from NYC =]

I feel quite a bit better now. It's finally to the point where I can touch it and there are patches all over the place where I'm not well shaven. My neck is the worst...it's just plain spotty, but upper lip seems to be just funny. I mean, he has a better vantage point then I ever do and I always get it cleaner than that. ::sigh::

AFDavis: That does sound wild. I'm pretty darn good with my DE these days but I might have to take the day off tomorrow...provided I can work my way out of a pending meeting.

Randy: I've got some aloe handy. I'm sure that it's not quite the quality level of what you're using, but it's a good idea. I'm going to give it a whirl right now.

Thanks all!

Bill

I too had a very mediocre shave from a barber. Some parts were well shaved while others weren't. He cut me in a few places that I never even did myself. On the other hand the hot towel machine and hot lather machine were pretty awesome. And I imagine it must take a long time to learn how to shave someone else even if you know how to do it yourself. But still, it wasn't worth the $$!

When I have been shaved by my barber I walked away with a really smooth face and no nicks. It was truly a wonderful experience. That is what got me to start.:D

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Originally Posted by RichZ

When I have been shaved by my barber I walked away with a really smooth face and no nicks. It was truly a wonderful experience. That is what got me to start.:D

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Rich, rest assured, you all are the ones that converted me. ;)


So, the night of the distster, I looked for aloe as recommended but could not find any. As I rummaged through my medicine cabinet and under my sink, I found a tube of "Neosporin with Pain Relif" in my first aid kit. I put that on all of my troubled areas and the next day, things were much better. Not perfect by any means, but much better.

Oh the joys of experimenting. =]

Bill

I like my barber, so in his defense, I think that either he's young and hence inexperienced. Or he does so few straight razor shaves that he's not yet gotten the rhythm of 'em. I'm sure NYC is full of great barber shaves to be had. Next time I'm down, I'll take a recommendation :-)

He was an older gentleman who had his son working in the shop. My guess is that it's been the family business for some time. During the shave I asked if he does many. His reply: about one a week. In his defense, what ever rhythm he might had had probably isn't well maintened at that rate.

I just got my dubl duck back from Lynn today. I'm eager to begin! Maybe after my face takes the weekend off tho. =]

Bill

Hmmm.. I live in Palm Beach County and I've been told by local Barbers that the board of health does not permit barbers to give str8 shaves in the state of Florida. Since I'm much closer to Miami I was looking to see an old time barber there, but that tid bit did stop me.
FYI;Try the feather aftershave lotion at Classicshaving.com it comes in as part of a pair of samples (shaving and after-shave lotions) for $5.00 you can't beat it with a stick. The after shave lotion instantly quenches any burn sensation and a drop the size of a dime is more than enough for my whole face.

Ouch! I hope you didn't pay the guy who shaved you.

I'm not sure how true this is, but I've heard that if you want to learn to shave someone else you should practice on an inflated balloon. When you can remove all the lather with out popping the balloon, your ready to try on a person. Take the guy a ballon and tell him to practice.lol

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Originally Posted by marciaga

I like my barber, so in his defense, I think that either he's young and hence inexperienced. Or he does so few straight razor shaves that he's not yet gotten the rhythm of 'em. I'm sure NYC is full of great barber shaves to be had. Next time I'm down, I'll take a recommendation :-)

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There are some. But their are also "SALONS" Which is another name for ripoff and in addition they don't do shaves. My barber in queens does shaves ($7.25) and of corse there is Art of the Shave ($65) in Manhattan. and I am sure numerous other small places that do it too.

I was going to take my brother to get a straight shave the day before thanksgiving. We are both in our early 20's and he thinks I am nuts for using a straight. He seems excited to get a shave from a barber and so am I. However, reading this thread makes me a little worried. I have had nothing but wonderful experiences shaving myself with a straight, I don't want to ruin it by having a barber filet my neck. The guys that is the barber is young, maybe early 30's at the most. He runs a barber/peircing/tatoo shop. He doesn't do the piercings or tatoos, just the barber stuff. He is trying to make the shop 'old school' He said that in the olden days there were tatoos offered at barber shops and he is trying to bring back that feel. It seems pretty cool. My roommate got his tatoo colored there and he said that when you go in you can sit on a couch, grab a beer, OJ or bottled water (for free) and check the place out.

I am going to go for the shave. It just better be better than what I can do to myself...or I will be dissapointed.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone...

Ryan,

Treat yourself to a shave first. Find out how good he is. If it's a great shave, you can go back with our bother. If it is not a quality shave, you won't have to take your brother.

RT

Perfect idea, I think I will go tomorrow! If he is really good I may not even need one on wednesday.

Double your pleasure, double your fun, get two shaves, instead of one!

RT

Randy, You just couldn't resist that one. That is like somthing I would say...

Well Done!

Ryan,

My recommendation is to chat with the guy a bit about shaving. If anything clues you in that he's not as learned as you are, then leave. I was chatting w/ the barber that shaved be beforehand a bit and I was a little concerned. I should have listened to my gut there.

Short of that, hope your experience is better than mine. =]

Bill

I was in my barber shop Saturday and I watched a barber shave a customers face and head with a str8 ( actually a disposable blade). It was interesting to watch, I asked him later if the head was harder to shave then the face, he said they were the same for him. Well I watched, no nicks or blood showing. Impressive and what a shine!!!!!:D

I went to the barber ane posted a new thread. The shave was nice. he said that he only shaves about 3 people a week and I think this may not be enough. The shave was nice and gentle but I could do better on my own, but i would imagine most people could do a better job on their own, you can take all the time you want, and hunt down individual hairs if needed. I also went into the shave with about 5 days growth, and I have a goatee and jawline beard I had him shave around. So I am sure I messed up the pattern he would have shaved if someone wanted it all off. But the shave was totally enjoyable, painless and relaxing. The price is a little steep, and he knows it but since he is the only barber and shaves take longer than haircuts...they cost more.

I will definately go back when I have more money. :D