Thread: A Conversation with my barber

Nice story!

"He told me he had a guy come in with a str8 a long time ago that was dull, and he couldn't get a shave with it, so his partner honed it for him, and the first thing the customer proceeded to do was run it down his face just as hard as he did when it was dull. "His face just seeped blood" he told me, and I almost busted out laughing if it weren't for the seriousness of it."

lol

Originally Posted by d. m. ellington

I understand the expierence you have had with old barbers. When I first became intrested in Staights I would talk with barbers about them and they would say why in the world would you want to use a straight, after all the new platnium blades give a great shave and you don't have all that maintenance.

However one day I met a barber who spent hours helping me along the path. Last year I met a barber who is in his 80's and still working and he sold me a Dubl Duck No. 1 Special at a bargain.

I recently had a conversation with a guy who lives in the interior of Mexico and I asked about the barbers down there and if they still gave straight razor shaves. He repllied, You can still get a straight razor shave, but most of the barbers who do it are "Old Coots" in their 60s and when they are gone it will probably die out."

As I will soon be 65, I would prefer to be called a "Distinguished Elderly Gentleman", but I guess I qualify as an Old Coot.

In Mexico you would be El Viejo or maybe El Anciano

That's the problem with talking to old barbers most are old and crotchety and many are way too rusty or unsteady to trust with giving a straight shave and of course the younger guys are all hair stylists.

If you have someone who is willing and able you're the luckiest guy in the world.

Yeah, when he said "THeres going to be a lot of people cut up" I had to laugh. Im a cynic (if you can't tell already). I thought some of you would appreciate that story.


I tell you though, I kept trying to communicate to him that I was someonw who appreciated the old fashioned aspects of it, saying in not so many words that I appreciate his craft, hoping to get some words of wisdom, but like I said, I think he was in a bad mood.

THe customer before me was a lady who looked ethnic. Either mexican or Indian or Persian and her young son was getting a haircut. SHe kept standing outside the shop and she came in and the barber thought it was done. SHe was like "Can we get a little more off the front" and went back outside and he turned around and slammed something on the counter. I think it was the clippers that were attatched to the hose or something.

Anyway, I kept making statements like "Man when you shaved my neck, I had never had that done before and it felt so good and so it was that that made me want to consider straight shaving.

"Yeah" he would say in a way that sounded enthusiastic. I guess his manner of barber shop banter was of the minimalist style on this particular visit. He kept interjecting "Yeah" as I would say things like
"Yeah, you awakened the interests of a young man into some old fashioned ways of doing things"
"Yeah" he replied in a way that again, sounded interested, yet as I glanced in the mirror his face was expressionless.


So Im just a dork I guess lololol trying to brown nose to this barber to find out his secrets, like the sorcerer's apprentice, a bit too eager to try on the hat.


If I could only get my hair to grow faster so I could go back and show him my stuff.



He hasn't been entirely unforthcoming though, he did by the way point out the strop, it was a very well worn piece of what looked to be high grade leather. He immediately shut me down when I asked if he wanted to sell it because I coudl tell the quality of it right away. I didn't even notice it before, it blended in the shop like a decoration. I think he has a sentimental attatchment to it, as any of you would know. I think he put it there when he opened. Maybe when he retires he might get rid of his stuff, but I almost hate to ask someont to part with any of that stuff because im into Genealogy and I know their family might want that, since that what he did for a living when he got out of the Navy.


I also think that he would be very good with the razor if I let him do it because he still uses one.

Ill bet though that he is thinking that It's pointless to get into the str8 business when the DE's are so much easier, and come to think of it thats what he told me initially.


I think if I had the cash, Id pay him 90 bucks for a once in a lifetime str8 shave and the works. I don't think he's really THAT busy.


There will be more to this story, as the gentleman is a pretty interesting guy. I think i just caught him on a bad day. Maybe Ill go up there early in the am when he opens.


Glad you enjoyed the tale...


Eric

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

That's the problem with talking to old barbers most are old and crotchety and many are way too rusty or unsteady to trust with giving a straight shave

The USA may be different and perhaps have more traditional barber shops. However, I think we often forget just how long ago cutthroat razors were in general use.
The barber I go to is nearly seventy and started barbering as a sixteen year old, but apart from using a shavette for trimming sideburns and neck hair, has never shaved customers with a cutthroat. He talks about a "few old boys still using them" when he started his apprenticeship over fifty years ago.
There were always a couple of safety razors in our bathroom cabinet, but my father rarely used them, always preferring an electric shaver. He would be 95 years old if he was still around.

Originally Posted by welshwizard

The USA may be different and perhaps have more traditional barber shops. However, I think we often forget just how long ago cutthroat razors were in general use.
The barber I go to is nearly seventy and started barbering as a sixteen year old, but apart from using a shavette for trimming sideburns and neck hair, has never shaved customers with a cutthroat. He talks about a "few old boys still using them" when he started his apprenticeship over fifty years ago.
There were always a couple of safety razors in our bathroom cabinet, but my father rarely used them, always preferring an electric shaver. He would be 95 years old if he was still around.

Certainly in the 1950s in the U.S and even into the early 1960s barbers commonly used to do straight shaves. I think the move to hair stylists started in the late 70s early 80s here and the distinction between cosmetologist and barber started. So you're talking guys probably over 70 at the youngest who had shaving experience and many of them if they still work probably haven't given a straight or any shave in over 25-30 years.

My father is 95 and I remember as a kid he used DEs and then injectors and for the past 40 years an electric. I'd have to go back to my Grandfather to find someone using a straight razor and he died before I was born.