Thread: a trick or a good idea?

Back in the day when straight shaving was still a skill taught by barbering schools, this was typical training. This gentleman seems to be quite adept.

I've been practicing doing that for when I shave friends and sundry and it has certainly helped the results. You lack the feedback you are used to from shaving yourself and this is a decent way to counter-balance that.

My wife took cosmotology in high school back when they used to cover (albeit briefly, I'm sure) straight razor shaving. She told me that the instructor had a real straight, but the students were given shavettes, and were made to shave balloons. I'd bet there was more than one student who ended up sprayed with lather...

IMO this old trick isn't useful for learning to shave yourself. You might as well just pick up a blade and start learning on your face. But for those learning to shave other people ie barbers, I don't know; it may be more useful for them.

I don't think I could afford the balloons.

Originally Posted by ace

I don't think I could afford the balloons.

I could probably afford the starter balloon... It's just that it would unfortunately lead to that Damascus polyurethane balloon with a gold-plated string.

I picked up a razor marked PrePractice that was used for training. It has helped me with learning to shave. Has anyone seen these around? Thanks

Back in '69' when I was in Barber school I asked why we did not practice like this. The answer was it does not simulate the skin well enough because the balloon is much tighter than you can stretch the skin. It is very difficult to pop the balloon unless you are REALLY OFF the angle.
We mostly practiced on each other or the street people as our services in school were free and it was located in downtown New Orleans.

Originally Posted by hults

I could probably afford the starter balloon... It's just that it would unfortunately lead to that Damascus polyurethane balloon with a gold-plated string.

LOL. youve got it bad!

I think I would passout from blowing up the balloons...this is the tranning that my son got while in barber school, he said he got in the bathtub and had shaving cream everywhere. But he is really good at giving a straight razor shave...I know...