Thread: If shaving one's self with a straight razor is practical, then why were barbers used?

Why did people employ barbers if straight razors are safe with enough practice and proper technique as it's claimed on this forum?

Could it be because it's extremely dangerous and one mistake could mean a slit carotid artery and a slow death in a pool of your own blood?

How many of you actually shave solely with a straight razor?

This is a good question. I don't know the answer, but if I had to guess, it probably had something to do with the cost of a razor, compared to the cost for a shave.

If I recall correctly, way back when, common men didn't shave everyday. I believe this "luxury" was reserved for those well off. If you don't need to shave everyday, why would you want to pay for a razor, when you could get a shave for a couple cents every week or 2? I think the money would be better used to buy food, clothing, or other necessities.

Like I said, this is just a wild guess :P

I would love to hear if anyone has solid information

ironman9889,

Good question !

From a UK perspective :

It might be due to the high cost of straight razors in the Victorian period, coupled with the lack of piped water, the need to have soap, brushes, a hone, a strop etc. In addition, in those days, people might not have shaved everyday, and it was probably cheaper and easier to go to a barber for the weekly shave.

My hypothesis might be totally incorrect !!

It will be very interesting to see what others with more knowledge will chip in with

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

EDIT : Rob got in there first with a similar hypothesis

I guess that back in the day people only had a once a week bath ( " Sat. Night" ) so it was probably cheaper to go to a skilled barber once a week and spend your nickel or dime for a good shave.

I'll paint you a picture.

Imagine a common man's home 100 years ago. No electric lights no running water, if you wanted hot water you would have to light some coals or wood, put the kettle on etc. Then shave in the flickering light of a candle or oil lamp.

On top of that you need a certain dexterity to hone and strop as well.

In those days newspapers hardly existed, barbers were a source of news as well. There is a reason that one of France's newspapers is called le Figaro, which means "the Barber".

Social and practical reasons therefore to visit the barber instead of DIYing.

from what I've read it did all come down to money. no matter what anyone says we were not all better off back in the day. people just couldnt afford a razor, electricity, linolium, or eaven a bath tub if you go back far enough. advances in technology, mostly starting with the industrial revolution, gave us the oppertunity to build the kind of personal wealth that it takes to afford razors, automobiles, televisions, electricity, plumbing, airconditioning, and even our very own baths. before all this happened all of our time, energy, and work went to putting food on the table. I dont mean we spent 80 hours a week trying to feed ourselves I mean we spent 18 hours a day just trying to keep from starving. believe it or not once upon a time if you mentioned leisure time to someone they litteraly would not have known what you were talking about (they probably would have thought you were insane). given all that...keeping a beard most of the time wasn't such a hardship back then.

Originally Posted by ironman9889

Why did people employ barbers if straight razors are safe with enough practice and proper technique as it's claimed on this forum?

Could it be because it's extremely dangerous and one mistake could mean a slit carotid artery and a slow death in a pool of your own blood?

How many of you actually shave solely with a straight razor?

Two that I would be 99.9% sure of, use straights everyday, and I don't know a great many of the members, so I'm sure there would be many more. I was using one everyday, but haven't been doing so recently as I am trying to get down the skills for DE as well. The DE is for my 'dopp' kit, eventually, and for those rare days I might sleep in and stil have to shave properly. For that reason I don't count myself in the two that I know of. If I didn't own that DE, then you could count me in.


Mick

Originally Posted by ironman9889

Why did people employ barbers if straight razors are safe with enough practice and proper technique as it's claimed on this forum?

Could it be because it's extremely dangerous and one mistake could mean a slit carotid artery and a slow death in a pool of your own blood?

How many of you actually shave solely with a straight razor?

extremely dangerous - No, I have not heard of one single person that have died from shaving with a straight. Have you?


shave solely with a straight razor - I shave with a straight razor every day. See SOTD. I own a De that I use maybe once a month or so.

I have my great grandfather's razor. He shaved himself.

I'm no historical expert,but I am going to agree with all the others as to why people went to barbers,I shave about 99.6% of the time now with a straight.I probably on average shave about every 2 or 3 days at the longest as I have noticed my beard growth is now different with said method. I can't really put my finger on it.My growth is hmmm ,....not as out of control and more civil ? I can shave at 6am and it will last till about 6pm for real.and my five o clock shadow isn't as noticeable till the next day ? Hope that is of some use to you. Have a nice shave eh.

Mr. Ironman,

First, I suppose, welcome. I think your premise is incorrect. Shaving yourself with a straight razor is a practical endeavor, but it has a learning curve associated with it. I think a lot of men used a straight razor a few times a week, and enjoyed the shave.

On the other hand, just as today we have many people that cut their own hair, it is still an endeavor that is "easier" when done by someone else.

Another consideration is this "do it yourself" mentality. Today, in general men shave themselves. I used to do my own laundry and wash my own dishes too. Today I have someone that does both of those for me. I consider this a luxury I can afford, as I prefer to have someone else do it for me. I also can rub my own shoulders after a long day and I can crack my own joints to get relief from life's stress. I prefer, on the other hand, to go to a spa and a chiropractor and have both done professionally.

I suggest that you let a professional shave you at least once in your life. It is an experience that transcends the shave itself.