Thread: any pros (barbers) here?

I was just curious if there are any people on the forum that do straight razor shaves for a living, (or more accuratly, whether any of the people that do straight razor shaves for a living read this forum)?

Originally Posted by dgstr8

I was just curious if there are any people on the forum that do straight razor shaves for a living, (or more accuratly, whether any of the people that do straight razor shaves for a living read this forum)?

I did from 1970-85. Then went on to another position. Am retired from all now.

I am currently in barber college and we can use both disposable blade straight razors and conventional straights.

Originally Posted by detroyt

I am currently in barber college and we can use both disposable blade straight razors and conventional straights.

very cool... so they still have straight razor shaving as part of the curriculum then. That's great to hear.

We actually shave people everyday.

I do think I have been the only person at my school in a long time who is actually interested in using traditional straights Nowadays the cost, labor and skill needed to obtain and maintain conventional razors keeps most barbers away.

Originally Posted by detroyt

We actually shave people everyday.

I do think I have been the only person at my school in a long time who is actually interested in using traditional straights Nowadays the cost, labor and skill needed to obtain and maintain conventional razors keeps most barbers away.

I was talking to my hairstylist about this. Mind you he does mostly ladies, but does keep a shavette around for shaving necks. Far easier to just throw out the disposable blade after each use.

For the time involved, he would rather do a woman's hair for $80 than shave a man for $15 or even $20

Originally Posted by Desdinova

I was talking to my hairstylist about this. Mind you he does mostly ladies, but does keep a shavette around for shaving necks. Far easier to just throw out the disposable blade after each use.

For the time involved, he would rather do a woman's hair for $80 than shave a man for $15 or even $20

I am not sure weather most people know it or not but cosmetologists are not legally allowed to shave people or use a straight razor in any way. Before I let anybody touch a razor to my body I want to know that they are licensed to do so. I am assuming that you go to a cosmetologist because you referred to him as a hair stylist and that is standard nomenclature for cosmetologist.

Things are actually very different now than they used to be. I don't know how it is for other barber colleges but at mine we are studying to be barber stylists. Essentially upon graduation I will be able to do everything a cosmetologist can and more with the exception of nails. The instructors at my school really push the students to be more than just barbers. My instructor is pushing me personally to become a color specialist and really hone my skills to work on womens hair so that I can compete with cosmetologists and get some recognition for our school and industry (not that i am actually that talented but I do put in the time).

Originally Posted by detroyt

I am not sure weather most people know it or not but cosmetologists are not legally allowed to shave people or use a straight razor in any way. Before I let anybody touch a razor to my body I want to know that they are licensed to do so. I am assuming that you go to a cosmetologist because you referred to him as a hair stylist and that is standard nomenclature for cosmetologist.

Things are actually very different now than they used to be. I don't know how it is for other barber colleges but at mine we are studying to be barber stylists. Essentially upon graduation I will be able to do everything a cosmetologist can and more with the exception of nails. The instructors at my school really push the students to be more than just barbers. My instructor is pushing me personally to become a color specialist and really hone my skills to work on womens hair so that I can compete with cosmetologists and get some recognition for our school and industry (not that i am actually that talented but I do put in the time).

hair dresser, actually.

poor choice of words on my part.

I'm in Ontario, Canada and as far as I know, only a barber or "hair stylist" can cut hair (including shaving). Where I am you tyically do not see non-barbers/stylists even touching hair to color it, shape it, etc.

Yes I am and have been so for many years now. I shave around the ears and neck 15- 20 times a day and do a great number of face shaves as well. I never did head shaving before but two weeks ago when a couple of good customers asked, I obliged. I liked doing it and will probably continue doing them. I use Dovo,TI,Shumate and Henckels str8 razors unless the customer requests a disposable, then I will use a Dovo shavette with the smaller Dovo blades. I don't hone my own razors, I leave that up to one the professionals (Lynn) on here because I need to trust that the edge is perfect before putting the blade on a customers face. I don't like knicks or cuts from an improperly honed blade.

I have noticed that there are several other Barbers on here but they don't seem to post very much. The reason may be that when you do this all day at work you don't want to come home at night and think about it, I don't know. But, after dinner I like to sit down and read thru the forums on here. It's kind of relaxing for me.

Good luck with Barber school !

Originally Posted by SRC

Yes I am and have been so for many years now. I shave around the ears and neck 15- 20 times a day and do a great number of face shaves as well. I never did head shaving before but two weeks ago when a couple of good customers asked, I obliged. I liked doing it and will probably continue doing them. I use Dovo,TI,Shumate and Henckels str8 razors unless the customer requests a disposable, then I will use a Dovo shavette with the smaller Dovo blades. I don't hone my own razors, I leave that up to one the professionals (Lynn) on here because I need to trust that the edge is perfect before putting the blade on a customers face. I don't like knicks or cuts from an improperly honed blade.

I have noticed that there are several other Barbers on here but they don't seem to post very much. The reason may be that when you do this all day at work you don't want to come home at night and think about it, I don't know. But, after dinner I like to sit down and read thru the forums on here. It's kind of relaxing for me.

Good luck with Barber school !

Thanks.

Looks like I will actually be in your neck of the woods at the end of the month for the hair convention. My head instructor will also be taking us to a few shops in Chicago so we can experience a little more than what is happening in Detroit.