Thread: shaved by a barber?

I occasionally go back to my old neighborhood (Williamsburg, B'klyn) to get a shave. My old barber is surgical with his shavette but I now take my personal str8s for him to choose from to shave me with and he has no problem with that.

I got my first straight razor shave on April 18th 2009. It was my wedding day and my barber threw in the shave for free. All it took was one time for me to be hooked on the absolute best shave possible. I go to my barber once a week, to get my straight razor shaved high and tight haircut(old Marine Corps habits die hard). Andy is a great friend and has been extremely helpful in showing me proper techniques and different tricks of the trade. Those old barbers who still do business with a straight know what they are doing. Give it a shot and you'll be hooked just like me. After I got back from my honeymoon I ordered my first straight razor and have been shaving with one ever since.

Added note: My high and tight, where he shaves my head from above my ears all the way down to my neck, not just a trimming, is 13 dollars. If you got a shave, I think it's an extra 5 bucks.

Originally Posted by avatar1999

Glad I'm not the only one detroyt! Glad to hear it

If you haven't looked into it, there are some awesome UV sterilizing boxes as opposed to heating them to sterilize them. Looks like me may not be able to get around the lather machines, unless you use a synthetic brush and sterilize that as well, which pretty much sucks Might be worthwhile for you to check them out if you have your own shop

Look forward to hearing how it goes for you! How much longer do you have in school?

From my understanding I don't think that you can use UV boxes to sterilize I think that they just maintain a sterile environment.

I was thinking for repeat customers I would rent them a small locker and inside there would be their own personal brush, scuttle, soap and razor, not sure if it will be possible to do yet I haven't worked out all the logistics. I'm afraid there might be no way around having to use a latherizer.

I have also seen really inexpensive brushes at Meijer I imagine that they would be even cheaper wholesale and at that price they are pretty much disposable.

I still have a lot of time to think about it I still have about a year to go fortunately for me my teacher actually wrote the state exam.

Originally Posted by nessmuck

and when you get your own shop you can have an assortment of diff straights and the customer can pick the razor of his choice for the shave,like a wedge from the 1850's or a dubl duck from the 50's , what do you think??

As long as I am able to sanitize everything without damaging it I don't foresee any problems, But considering the amount of time conventional straights require I might charge more to use them or I would have a stash available for the people whom rent lockers or are regulars.

I'm not really sure how it will work just yet I still have much to learn. I do know that I would prefer to use traditional straights even if it means replacing scales with stainless and getting an autoclave.

It's getting to be about time for me to get a haircut again. I usually go to Rocky's Barbershop, 100 pesos for a haircut, all edging done with a Feather disposable blade straight and a head and neck massage... not bad for arround $2. I think this time I will throw in the shave as well... it's just an extra $2 and it would be a cool experience.

Originally Posted by detroyt

As long as I am able to sanitize everything without damaging it I don't foresee any problems, But considering the amount of time conventional straights require I might charge more to use them or I would have a stash available for the people whom rent lockers or are regulars.

I'm not really sure how it will work just yet I still have much to learn. I do know that I would prefer to use traditional straights even if it means replacing scales with stainless and getting an autoclave.

I'm wondering if the sterilization process would ruin the blade's termpering. What are your thoughts on this?
MikeB

Originally Posted by detroyt

From my understanding I don't think that you can use UV boxes to sterilize I think that they just maintain a sterile environment.

I was thinking for repeat customers I would rent them a small locker and inside there would be their own personal brush, scuttle, soap and razor, not sure if it will be possible to do yet I haven't worked out all the logistics. I'm afraid there might be no way around having to use a latherizer.

I have also seen really inexpensive brushes at Meijer I imagine that they would be even cheaper wholesale and at that price they are pretty much disposable.

I still have a lot of time to think about it I still have about a year to go fortunately for me my teacher actually wrote the state exam.

Things are so different state to state, but the only thing I could find online was for Texas. you might not have to clave them...soaking just the blade in Barbicide should be satisfactory, and if you soak them, and then put then in the UV cabinet, it should be enough, but obviously ask the Board in your state first.

As far as brushes are concerned, if it can be sanitized, then you could use it. Synthetic brushes would be ok, but I don't know how well they would work, and I don't think I've ever seen one. Like you said though, rent a "locker" for the guys that would like straight shaves, and just get a VDH Boar brush from your local drug store or Walmart.

I'm still working on the details, but I WILL find a way to make it work. I think everyone deserves a good shave

If they're willing, I'd be glad to do the shaves as "a friend" and not a charged service, but recommend they leave a tip/gratuity

I plan on working from home if I can, so I'm sure there's ways to get around the BS.

Originally Posted by sdsquarepoint

I'm wondering if the sterilization process would ruin the blade's termpering. What are your thoughts on this?
MikeB

I don't think so. Most are only around 125 F. Not enough to ruin the temper.

Originally Posted by avatar1999

I don't think so. Most are only around 125 F. Not enough to ruin the temper.

+1 to this.

As far as I understand an autoclave works on pressure and temperature and that is why they are effective at killing germs at a lower temperature. I would think that barbercide would be sufficient though.

In Michigan, most barber shops are in low income areas and I doubt that most of the modern sanitization techniques are ever brought to use because of the cost. I would be willing to work with the Michigan health board to try and set up some guidelines for proper and safe disinfecting where straight razors and brush storage are concerned.

My instructor is on the board and did write the Michigan Barbers exam so I feel I might have an "in" where this is concerned.

Originally Posted by detroyt

+1 to this.

As far as I understand an autoclave works on pressure and temperature and that is why they are effective at killing germs at a lower temperature. I would think that barbercide would be sufficient though.

In Michigan, most barber shops are in low income areas and I doubt that most of the modern sanitization techniques are ever brought to use because of the cost. I would be willing to work with the Michigan health board to try and set up some guidelines for proper and safe disinfecting where straight razors and brush storage are concerned.

My instructor is on the board and did write the Michigan Barbers exam so I feel I might have an "in" where this is concerned.

I agree with what you say about Barbicide. If you read their website, you can see that it will kill pretty much everything bad you soak in it. As long as you let it soak for the required time, there should be absolutely no problems in that form of sterilization. I would be curious to what the Board of Barbers in Michigan say when it comes to the UV sterilizers. Always good to have information

If you get a chance to ask your instructor, I'd love to know what you guys can find out

*edit* I just noticed that my "I don't think so" comment may have sounded rude. I absolutely did not intend it to be that way. My apologies, I've had a few beers tonight so things may come out wrong LOL