I wonder, if I may share my experience with you of a recent visit to Geo. F. Trumpers on Jermyn Street, London? This was for a hot towel shave.
This was purchased for me by my brother back in March, and I was booked in for June. I found the shop, a good old fashioned looking shop, window display full of items that people like us dream about... Jermyn Street is full of amazing shops that take you to a Bygone Era, Tobacco Shops, Bespoke Tailors and a fantastic cheese shop! A shop that just sells cheese, amazing...
I was a couple of minutes early, booked in at 10am, which I presume was maybe the opening time, as the barber area downstairs was empty when I arrived. A few minutes of standing around, and then a chap came out of the room at the back and asked me to take a seat.
I snuggled into one of the leather barbers chairs and he suggested I could go to sleep and he would wake me up when was finished, I presume he was joking! I wouldnt pay this sort of money and miss the experience, would you?
I asked what kind of razor he would use, a good old fashioned straight razor, no throw away blades here! It was my first shave at a barbers, and also my first shave with a straight.
He began by looking at the hair direction on my face. He suggested I had razor rash, I had a shave the day before (am). He then applied the Trumpers skin food around my face and used a hot towel for about 4 minutes. He dissapeared into the back while the hot towel was in place, you cannot talk anyway with the towel in place.
When he returned, he made a lather using a brush and cream and removed the towel and applied the lather. Using one pass WTG he used the straight razor in short strokes. He asked how I normally shaved. I normally use 2 WTG and 2 ATG. He suggested I stopped using the 2 ATG, as after 10-15 years of this I would end up with a leathery face, as my skin fights the constant battle of razor rash.
After the shave, he asked if I thought I looked like I had a good shave. I admitted I did. It was definately not up to the baby-smooth standard I get, but that was his whole point, it doesnt have to be, and in doing so I am damaging my skin long term.
I have been wet shaving (as a hobby) for two years now, and I truly felt like I had got the method correct, but this has turned it all on edge.
All in all, a good experience. I dont think it is something I would rush to do again.
What knowledge did I take away and apply?
I now do 2 or maybe 3 WTG and no ATG. True I dont get my face BBS, but my skin does look a lot more healthy now. No small red rashes every now and again. So although it was something I didnt want to hear, it has done me good. Glad I gave him a tip now!
Sorry to blabber on, but I hope somebody else can gleam some info from this. London still amazes me, its just bad I have a 200 mile drive to get there.
This was purchased for me by my brother back in March, and I was booked in for June. I found the shop, a good old fashioned looking shop, window display full of items that people like us dream about... Jermyn Street is full of amazing shops that take you to a Bygone Era, Tobacco Shops, Bespoke Tailors and a fantastic cheese shop! A shop that just sells cheese, amazing...
I was a couple of minutes early, booked in at 10am, which I presume was maybe the opening time, as the barber area downstairs was empty when I arrived. A few minutes of standing around, and then a chap came out of the room at the back and asked me to take a seat.
I snuggled into one of the leather barbers chairs and he suggested I could go to sleep and he would wake me up when was finished, I presume he was joking! I wouldnt pay this sort of money and miss the experience, would you?
I asked what kind of razor he would use, a good old fashioned straight razor, no throw away blades here! It was my first shave at a barbers, and also my first shave with a straight.
He began by looking at the hair direction on my face. He suggested I had razor rash, I had a shave the day before (am). He then applied the Trumpers skin food around my face and used a hot towel for about 4 minutes. He dissapeared into the back while the hot towel was in place, you cannot talk anyway with the towel in place.
When he returned, he made a lather using a brush and cream and removed the towel and applied the lather. Using one pass WTG he used the straight razor in short strokes. He asked how I normally shaved. I normally use 2 WTG and 2 ATG. He suggested I stopped using the 2 ATG, as after 10-15 years of this I would end up with a leathery face, as my skin fights the constant battle of razor rash.
After the shave, he asked if I thought I looked like I had a good shave. I admitted I did. It was definately not up to the baby-smooth standard I get, but that was his whole point, it doesnt have to be, and in doing so I am damaging my skin long term.
I have been wet shaving (as a hobby) for two years now, and I truly felt like I had got the method correct, but this has turned it all on edge.
All in all, a good experience. I dont think it is something I would rush to do again.
What knowledge did I take away and apply?
I now do 2 or maybe 3 WTG and no ATG. True I dont get my face BBS, but my skin does look a lot more healthy now. No small red rashes every now and again. So although it was something I didnt want to hear, it has done me good. Glad I gave him a tip now!
Sorry to blabber on, but I hope somebody else can gleam some info from this. London still amazes me, its just bad I have a 200 mile drive to get there.
