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

I have never had one from a barber. Today I got a haircut at a barber shop that had a sign claiming to give the best straight blade shave around. The barber that specializes in shaves was not in when I was there and I wondered if instead of using a shavette if I could bring my own razor and get a real straight blade shave from the barber. I was given a card and told that I'd have to call and ask.

Anyway, who here treats themselves to a Barber`s shave every once in a while, or is it just a waste of money when you can do it yourself ? If you do, do they use a shavette or do you bring your own blade in ?


Cheers,
Rob

I have had a few, one of the barbers in Ypsilanti MI used to do it.
It is part of what drew me to starting myself.
I equate it to a woman getting a manicure, pedicure, or facial. For some reason it just feels better when you can relax and enjoy it.
Just my two cents

I've had it done a couple times and I wouldn't call it a treat. They use shavettes, and their generic shaving style ends up with harsh results. I can shave myself better and more comfortably so I don't bother anymore. As for you, you'll never know until you try so give it a shot and see what you think.

Most barbers won't let you bring in your own razor, but it's worth asking about.

Is no barber than can give me a shave better than I can shave myself.
I know my face,after 20 yrs I know How my beard grows,I know what strokes to use and how to use them,I have facial muscle memory,shaving with a SR is no diff than tying my shoes
My name is Bill Barber,go figure:)

I've been to Tommy Guns before, and got a shave & a mop chop. They used a Shavette, for hygienic reasons. I don't think you can bring your own blade in (depending where it is), as they are trained & accustomed to the regular Shavette's that they use. BTW, the shave felt good, but nowhere near as close as I get it. :)

I used to get straight razor shave at the barber all the time. In fact it was the good shave i got at the barber that made me want to try a straight in the first place. Truth be told i still love a barber shop shave from time to time; however i now find myself more a critic the a connoisseur when it comes to barber shop shaves. Truth be told i can shave myself with a straight better than they can most of the time not to mention my technique is far better too... Not to mention has history has mentioned time and time again a barber is often a victim of their own devices. Once i spoke with a barber who worked at my barber shop for years and told him how i shave with a straight razor that was over 150 years old. He responded by saying no better shave could be had then with a disposable blade----- Yeah ok buddy.
That's all they know. Most don't know straight like we do. They lack the passion of the shave for them a razor is an implement and a shave is a task.

As mentioned above in regards to bringing your own razor and letting your barber have a go at it.....
i have thought about it, but since they use shavettes their 'angle of attack' is so steep that they would 100% slice your face off, and the amount of pressure they would try and use would yield poor results or injury. For me not worth the risk. Even if they dont hurt you the angle they would attempt to shave you at would lead them to believe your razor was 'broken'

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Originally Posted by Firefighter2

I've been to Tommy Guns before, and got a shave & a mop chop.

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They supposedly use a Feather AC. Is that what they used, and what location?

Creeps me out to think about anyone besides me close to my neck with a razor... I would be very uncomfortable doing that..

Why in the hell would anyone, pay 30/40 bux to get shaved with a straight razor?

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Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Why in the hell would anyone, pay 30/40 bux to get shaved with a straight razor?

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$30...includes a shave and a haircut....at least where I was today.

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Originally Posted by Ryan82

They supposedly use a Feather AC. Is that what they used, and what location?

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Not sure what it. was, I asked & she couldn't even tell me, didn't know herself. All I know was that it was a disposable straight, with a green handle. I just assumed it was some kind of Shavette, but you're probably right. The location was in Lethbridge, Alberta.

Just once. I have an 80 year old barber friend who still has his shop. Right after I began straight shaving I asked him to show me the ropes. He had me stop by on a Monday when he was closed (he was busy tying flies). He started with a shave with all the trimmings, then proceeded to show me his view on stropping and honing. It was a great couple of hours. He enjoyed it...said it was nice to see someone with an interest. I learned a few things for sure. He had two straights he had used for years: Bokers. He uses them now just for trimming up after a haircut. I was the first shave he had done in years but he hadn't gotten out of practice, it seemed to me. He and I have done some skeet shooting from time to time. I told him the next round was on me.

I get my head shaved every other week by my barber. Does that count? He started bartering in 1955 he told me. He's older but does a really solid job. I like it way better than shaving my own head with my gilette tech from the 40s or my 69 slim adjustable. It's just a nicer experience.

I enjoy shaving my own face too much to have him do it, but he does face shaves. It's only 12 bucks for my head.

Tried it and found what many others have...for hair removal, I can do a better job myself with just about any kind of razor. It's one of the more overrated experiences out there in terms of results, but I'm sure some will find it worthwhile for style alone.

I've had it done twice now at a place called Maurizio's in Waterloo. The atmosphere there is awesome and the experience was great. Him and his wife do the shaving using top quality products. D.R. Harris Arlington is the soap they use, with an alum block rinse after. They use the Dovo shavettes with dorko blades. They have awesome leather seats, great conversation with my buddies, Espresso/coffee, and even a shot of sambuca. Buuuuut, They do a 3 pass shave and by the end I was soooo raw! So were all the other guys. Its a close shave at the expense of a layer of skin!! I don't recommend it.

I've gotten SR shave by a barber a handful of times and I came away disappointed every time. Barbers capable of providing a quality SR shave are apparently a dying breed. If you do find a quality barber, though, I imagine it would be a great treat. I wish there was one in my area.

I have yet to find a barber in my area who still uses a straight razor for shaving, it is always a disposable. No point to waste money a disposable shave in my opinion

My guy uses a shavette. I think they're required to by law anymore.

I used to before starting with straight myself. Cut and shave for under 40 bucks ain't bad but some barbers are better than others. I found it particularly helpful when removing the winter beard.

One of my philosophies is that of enjoying affordable luxuries every day to increase the quality of life. I enjoy these things done at home. Instead of going out for a good dinner, I make one as good or better at home. A great cocktail is only a shaker away. Likewise, my shave is done only at home as well. Besides, for what Truefitt and Hill charges for a shave, I could be feeding one of my acquisition disorders. 

I've always said, if you have someone nearby who can shave with a straight type blade and you get a close comfortable shave you need to run and buy a lottery ticket cause you are the luckiest person in the world and will win for sure.

Most folks giving shaves have no formal training and you are the one they use for practice to learn. Most guys who learned the art are retired or probably in their 80s by now and probably haven't given a shave in years assuming they still give shaves.

Just based on experiences around here I think I would pass on barbershop shaves.

I think most go for the pampering experience more than a good shave. To me that's like the old car saying, "all show and no go".

In my area (long island NY) Every Barber shop gives straight shaves, hot towels and a neck rub while the towel is steaming on your face. Most of the shave i have gotten have been good. All shaves are done with shavettes though as mentioned repeatedly on this thread. If done right getting shaved is a very, very pleasurable experience. I guess the local culture where you live has a lot to do with whether or not you can even locate a shop that will give a straight shave.... Around here i am hard pressed to think of one shop that dosnt offer a hot towel shave, and i can think of at least 10 barber shops in my town alone. Most shaves at these shops are at least passable, however the skill level of the barbers and the technique they use dont weigh up to my own. All and all i get a closer shave at home, but like other things though you may be able to do it just as good your self it's always nice to let another take care of it for you ;-)

Call me stupid,call me an old fart,but why in the hell would anyone pay 30/40 bux to get a shave,with a faux razor,done by a hack?? when you can do better at home yourself.
I can buy 10 gals of gas for the money you spent to be pamperd..

I'm with pixel on this one. But then I would do my own dental work if it was possible.

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Originally Posted by 10Pups

I'm with pixel on this one. But then I would do my own dental work if it was possible.

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It is possible,I actually ground down a chipped front tooth with a dremel and a carbide tip,saved a trip to the dentist.Had the wife remove a metal splinter from my eye with a magnet once.just need to be creative.

I used to get straight shaves in Brooklyn, NY some twenty years ago. Real straight, sadly can't remember what it was. Old guy with a Clark Gable mustache and pomade on his hair. I went there a bunch of times and got a haircut and shave together. Very nice shave, better than what I was doing myself at home with disposables. Didn't talk a lot. Finished me off with Aqua Velva. Good times.

Now I get shaves in the city, sadly with a shavette or something like it. Ok shaves, but I do better. I only get one pass, whereas at the Brooklyn shop I'd get two. I asked the barber if he'd use on of mine to shave me and he said, and I quote: "No, man. Those things are dangerous." Go figure. I should mention that if you go thee with more than a few days worth of stubble you get a progressively worse shave, except for one of the guys, who is masterful (the first shave he gave me was so smooth that on the first pass I thought he'd forgot to put a blade on that thing.)

I don't remember what I paid in Brooklyn, but I seem to recall that a twenty spot covered haircut, shave and tip. I pay $20 for a haircut and shampoo, and $18 for a shave, not including tip in NYC.

It's fun! However, it definitely pays off to have it done by somebody who knows what they're doing and has a respect for the art. I have had very comfortable shaves with some, and the most painful and irritating shaves with others who were lacking training, skill, and passion. I'm a little reluctant to try anyone unless I have a feeling it's going to be the real deal. But the best straight blade shave around sounds quite promising! Can't wait to try a fancy one someday, like at Trumper in London! :chapeau

Every time I visit Turkey I go to the barber for a haircut and a shave. Yes they use shavettes, but the treatment and the skill they provide is excellent in all ways.
First a haircut then a thoroughly cleaning of the face and a really good shave, trimming eye browsers an some hot wax for these areas that cant be worked with the knife, (outer ear and so on).
Ending with an massage of shoulders,arms, hands and fingers.
Leaving the place with the feeling of a new man.
Costs: About 10 to 15 dollars.
Worth every penny.

I tried it once and got buchered,and this guy had bragged how good he still was. I would like to know where Joel goes as I live on Long Island also,and there are no barbers near me that do it anymore (in and around Merrick anyway).

I go for a shave at the barbers a couple times a year, mostly when I've been stuck in the bush for a while. Just makes a guy feel human.
The down side is that it's with a shavette, but my barber is also a collector, and is decent. Though I think some of my own work is better, there's something to be said for just sitting back with a scotch (cleverly hidden in a coffee mug ;) ) and letting someone else do the work.

Also not sure why I haven't asked yet about bringing a blade to use, gonna check that out next week.

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

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Originally Posted by Luis

I prefer to shave myself.

Luis

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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!

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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.

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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.