Thread: shaved by a barber?

I was wondering if many of us have actually had a straight razor shave from a barber. I have been trying to get up my nerve to ask for one, but I am kinda nervous. I guess I must just trust myself more than a stranger! The guy that does them here is 75 yrs old and seemed to shake a bit when he cut my hair, so that contributes to my fear, but I would like to experience it...

I vaguely remember having two barber shop shaves back in the sixties. This was when they used a straight razor rather than the replaceable blade 'shavette' they use nowadays. The hot towel out of the steamer and being cranked back in the Koken barber chair was something I'll never forget. The shave was close and smooth IIRC.

I had one at Trumpers here in London. They did an outstanding job, in fact it was so good that I bought my first razor from them straight afterwards..!

I'd been thinking about getting a razor and all the kit, but that shave cemented it for me. I couldnt imagine shaving any other way after that..!

If you can get one, I'd recommend it! If the barber knows what he's doing they are beyond enjoyable and you do get an excellent shave afterwards as well..!

The shave I got was so good that I didnt have to shave for about 3 days afterwards.

I have had a few and enjoyed them all. For me, the process itself is better than the end result. The shaves I have gotten, measured in terms of closeness, have ranged from pretty good to superb. But the whole deal of reclining in the chair, the hot towels, the light massage...very nice. I highly recommend it if you can find a Barber that knows how to do it.

Bill hit the nail on the head. It's really about the experience and pampering. The same reason those gals go to a beauty parlor to get fussed over. If you look at the barber shave squawkbox you will see the actual shave (assuming they actually use a straight which they usually don't) experiences are not so hot. If you can find some old timer who really knows how to do it and still has all his faculties maybe then. Personally I'd rather shave myself.

Yes I have, numerous times. In fact, it is one of the reasons I became interested in the art of str8 razor shaving.

As thebigspenur notes, there is nothing that rivals the experience and pampering of a str8 razor shave by a barber. Its so relaxing. Reclining in the barber's chair, the pre-shave, the hot towels, the lather, the aftershave. Ahhhhhhhhhhhh.

Owing to health related issues (ie. AIDS) most barbers don't use traditional str8 razors today for shaving. They use disposables, but the experience is still worth the extra money, IMHO.

I've always wanted a barber to shave me, i agree with most of the comments previous, the experience was out standing, hot towels warm cream, and a face massage after.the shave was good but not great, one really good nick and a couple of very small ones. which was kinda a big deal, he does this for a living i should be cut. that being said it won't stop me from find more barbers who do it and try them out. i just wont be going back there.

Fynnpete: Was yours in Winnipeg?

I just went up to the barber school I plan on attending the other day, and while I was talking to the owner, one of the students was shaving a customer.

I was TRYING to talk to the owner, but I caught myself glancing over at the shaving being done. The owner told me the student was practicing his shaving for the barber exam soon.

In all honesty, if I were the customer, I would have been scared to death. This student was holding the opened razor maybe 3" above the customer's face, nervously adjusting the scales on the razor to get them where he wanted them. Then as he shaved the guy, he seemed very uncertain of himself. VERY short strokes, and he actually made a movement that scared me...from what I could tell at a distance, it looked like a "scooping" motion with the blade. I kinda cringed a bit when he did that

Once I finish, I fully intend to do straight shaves, and I have no doubt that they will be better than most of the kids that are learning it today.

I really think there should be a requirement, that if a barber is going to give straight shaves, that he should shave that way himself. And in the case of female barbers, they can always shave their legs, but I think it should be done. I don't think they can know what to truly look for and do, if they haven't done it to themselves. Just my opinion here

I've only had one - and from a barber here. I wasn't expecting it and had never been shaved by another before - so I spent most of the time thinking he was going to cut me up or worse - kill me. And just when I thought it couldn't get any worse he started shaving my forehead!
But, the shave was smooth, there were no cuts and of course I made it out alive.
It was an experience but I have always preferred shaving myself. So I'd encourage you to get one if you think your barber's up to it.