Thread: Barbers Method-Go to Woah

Hi Guys.

Last Saturday was my first wedding anniversary and also the day I became Godfather to my good friends son. Seeing it was a day of such great occaision I thought I would treat myself to a cut and shave from a legendary barber around my parts.

The resulting shave, while not the closest I have ever had, was irritation free and highlighted an interesting technique that I thought some of you may be interested in.

To start with he primed his disposable straight with a feather blade.
Application to my face of Prorasso Pre/Post creme.
Lathered up QUITE vigorously with an omega boar and a soap I couldn't quite make out... on the tub it had a barber pole picture.. it looked kind of cheap. Nice smell though and the resulting lather was thick and slick. Lathering would have lasted for about 3-4 minutes I would say.
First pass, mostly WTG, light touch, no discomfort.
Re-lather took about a quarter to half the time of the first.
Second pass, XTG and ATG, light touch, no discomfort and noticeable attention given to problem areas under nose and near edges of the mouth.
Any remaining lather wiped away with tissue.
Liquid styptic applied to a nick or two.
A hot towel was then applied for about 30 seconds and wiped on the face upon removing.
Aftershave was then applied. It was definitely Bay Rum but I couldn't see the brand. Left a while, about a minute.
Prorasso Pre/Post creme was then applied and FINITO. That was it.

Nice shave overall. I have had closer but this was irritation free. I was impressed as I have a patch on my neck(reddish even after a week without shaving) that always reddens noticably after every shave. Not so this time.

I tried this method myself yesterday, substituting his soap for tabac, his feather for a Filly Doble Temple 13 fresh from the Thuri, ChrOx, Strop and his bay rum with Conks. Same result except a closer shave.

So no water before hand AT ALL. And hot towel AFTER the shave. CRAZY!
Anyhow, this seems to really work. For me anyway.
Hope this helps somebody.

Cheers all

Mykel

Nice post and Happy Anniversary ! It sounds like you had a pretty good shave although not the closest you may have liked, but pretty good over all.

One thing I would have done different was to use a hot towel over the Proraso during your pre-shave. Heat combined with a pre-shave helps to soften both the skin and the beard and usually helps in getting a closer shave.

One question I do have is, why do you think using a hot towel after a shave is "crazy"? I do it for most of my customers except the few who prefer a cold towel. I call it the "comfort factor" because although it is not necessary, it is a nice finishing touch that relaxes my customers and they love it. After that I then apply a cold towel for about a minute to close up the pores.

If there is one thing that I have learned in doing face shaving as a hobby and profession is that, what works for one does not necessarily work for all. Shaving is subjective and every face is different. It takes time and alot of experimenting with both products and technique to achieve BBS each and every time.

Good post...I liked it.

+1

The towel after the shave is a great thing So is the hot towel over lather, then relather and shave.

I wish we could use brushes here Unfortunately the law seems against us on that...maybe if I get everyone to purchase their own brush...found some for $2 each in a Barber supply catalog...not a bad investment. And then have brush lockers...wonder how that would fly? hehe

Those lather machines suck.

Congrats! It sounds like it was a good day..! Thanks for sharing!

Yeah, you cant beat a good barbers shave. Its also so luxurious to sit there with the hot towels on your face an enjoy the scents and peace! I love 'em!

Originally Posted by SRC

Nice post and Happy Anniversary ! It sounds like you had a pretty good shave although not the closest you may have liked, but pretty good over all.

One thing I would have done different was to use a hot towel over the Proraso during your pre-shave. Heat combined with a pre-shave helps to soften both the skin and the beard and usually helps in getting a closer shave.

One question I do have is, why do you think using a hot towel after a shave is "crazy"? I do it for most of my customers except the few who prefer a cold towel. I call it the "comfort factor" because although it is not necessary, it is a nice finishing touch that relaxes my customers and they love it. After that I then apply a cold towel for about a minute to close up the pores.

If there is one thing that I have learned in doing face shaving as a hobby and profession is that, what works for one does not necessarily work for all. Shaving is subjective and every face is different. It takes time and alot of experimenting with both products and technique to achieve BBS each and every time.

Good post...I liked it.

Thanks Scott.

'Crazy' only because I hadn't really come across the idea before. I was more using hot towel for prep and cold water for post. I am a definite convert to a post shave hot towel now though
And I think I am going to continue playing with minimal prep apart from Prorasso Pre/Post and vigorous extensive lathering.
Different strokes indeed.
Mykel