Thread: Does anybody here get a straight blade shave at the barber ?

Once a month I will have my head shaved at the barbershop. But it isn't as smooth as the way I do it at home with my feather. The bare shop I go to uses a shave tote but it only cost me ten dollars for a headshave.

I've posted this before, but my local, old Italian barber Sam, been cutting my hair for probably 25 years, used to do actual straight razor shaves, now he has to use shavettes.

He says, and I believe him, that he could shave anyone blindfolded or in the dark. When I first started shaving with a straight, I was there one time, watching him give me a shave with the shavette, and I asked him if he would be cool with me bringing in one of my straights for him to shave me with, he said no problem.

So I brought about five different blades in, along with my strop (just in case he needed it), he picked one, stropped it like I'd never seen done before, and gave me a shave.

Wow!

What a lesson! Was fascinating to see a real pro use one of my blades, really shows you what your blades are capable of, and what they can do in the proper hands.

Have done that several times now, he gives me tips, last couple of times, he'll watch me do a 1st pass and give me tips. Last couple of times I've been there, (now just for the lessons and experience in both shaving and stropping) the other guys will gather around and watch, they are stunned at how beautiful the blades are, and have asked me if they could get a shave with my razor.

I said no problem, but Sam said no, it's one thing with my blade, but he won't use it on anyone else...

So ask your barber to use one of your blades and give you some tips...it's a great source of knowledge and my barber loves now for me to bring him a different blade each time.

Cheers!

I love getting a barber shave. The place I go to once or twice a year is dedicated to it. Its an awesome experience. You show up to this old time looking and feeling shop. As soon as you walk in you are offered a beer. There are comfy leather couches, and Sports on the big screen on the wall. The prep, hot towls, and three phase shave are well done. All followed by a hair cut. Takes about 30 minutes. As for using your razor, Health Codes in our area do not allow it. When it go difficult to get into this place, thats when I decided to start my journey in shaving my self with a straight.

Health codes are the same here, but there's no rule against using your own straight, only using one blade on multiple customers.

So when I bring my blade in, he'll shave ME with it, and send me on my way, after showing me a few tips, but he won't / can't use my blade on anyone else.

That's what I asked my barber and he said fine, it's your blade....

My barber still uses straights and strops. You wont find a shavette in the store. Don't know about health code but if they managed for as long as they did without infecting people I would say the risk is pretty low after barbercide/sterilizer. This bloke is second generation barber and is 67 so really know his stuff and is really helpful to anyone wanting to learn.

I prefer to shave myself.

Luis

Originally Posted by Luis

I prefer to shave myself.

Luis

The idea for going to the barber, is to get some tips on using a straight, barbers can be a great source of knowledge, and reading and watching videos is no substitute for one-on-one teaching. That's why I asked my barber if I could bring one of my straights in for him to shave me with.

He thought it was great to use a nice blade, and was more than happy to show me some various techniques and show me how far the blade could go and be used. Now it's almost a ritual, when I go for a haircut, I'll bring a straight just to watch it in the hands of a pro and for the fun of it.

I learned more about using a straight in 15 minutes with him than most of the reading and watching videos. Members here will say the same about learning to hone, you simply can't beat one-on-one instruction.

George Scott Gentlemen's Hairdresser

This is a fantastic barbers and has been at Amen Corner in Newcastle for as long as, well, a canny while.

It's a real old fashioned English barbers, tiled walls, old chairs etc. and I'd take it over a visit to Geo F Trumpers any day of the week!

They do have shavettes but are quite happy to use a blade you take with you as long as it's sharp enough and will touch it up for you if required.

Hot towels, pre shave cream, great lather, cracking shave, more hot towels (cold on request), bay rum and the best banter in any barber shop I've been in. All for £15.

If you're in the UK and get into Newcastle give yourself a treat.

I should mention it was £15 last year. I live on the south coast and haven't been home since last Christmas.

Stand down on the £15. Just checked the website, all the above can be yours for £10. Bargain!

Originally Posted by DaveTheGeordie

George Scott Gentlemen's Hairdresser

This is a fantastic barbers and has been at Amen Corner in Newcastle for as long as, well, a canny while.

It's a real old fashioned English barbers, tiled walls, old chairs etc. and I'd take it over a visit to Geo F Trumpers any day of the week!

They do have shavettes but are quite happy to use a blade you take with you as long as it's sharp enough and will touch it up for you if required.

Hot towels, pre shave cream, great lather, cracking shave, more hot towels (cold on request), bay rum and the best banter in any barber shop I've been in. All for £15.

If you're in the UK and get into Newcastle give yourself a treat.

I should mention it was £15 last year. I live on the south coast and haven't been home since last Christmas.

Excellent! Have you taken a blade there yourself for a shave? If you have, how was it?

Ooooh yes. Like everyone said its a different blade in the hands of one of those chaps. Stropping? I've never seen it done so quick.

My dovo special, for that was my 30th gift and the only razor with me, is a cracking blade apparently.

Very skilled and confident too. He didn't hesitate to tell me where to go when I asked to buy the dorko in the display case either.

I really can't speak highly enough of that place. Like I said, offer me Trumpers or G.Scotts and I'll be by the river Tyne every time.