Took A Stright Shave from a barber yesterday

[ShaveDave]

Well, I wanted to get a straight shave from a barber before I attempted the first shave with the 6/8 bengall I picked up on BST a few weeks ago.

I used my lunch hour yesterday and had high hopes for a great shave. I have to say, it left a lot to be desired. I was really not impressed with the experience.

Everything started well with the towels, pre-shave oils, etc. Then the blade hit my face.

I will admit I had shaved Sunday night and skipped Monday, so there was some growth but not too much. But Man, that blade was not smooth and was dragging from the first. I also feel the guy worked a little too fast, but that might be because he's experienced at it and I'm not. I also felt he was applying too much pressure.

After the second pass, the cold towel and then the aftershave, my face was tender and I could feel it. I made a big mistake by not checking the shave itself. My face was so tender I didn't want to touch it.

I left the shop went to meet my wife before heading back to work. She asked if I had been for the shave yet and ran her hand under my chin. Then before I could respond, she said 'I guess not'. Not a good sign. When I told her I had, she asked me 'How Much?' follwed by "You paid $X for THAT!?"

I ran my hand under my chin down to my neck and then back up. It felt like there was stubble! I went to the men's room and had a closer look in the mirror. Sure enough, you could actually see stubble and it was rough. A few nicks were visible as well. Honestly it felt as if I had not shaved at all. I'm willing to put part of the blame onto the barber, but i think a big part has to do with the shavette. Two passes with any of my DE's would not have been that rough, even without an ATG pass. The whole rest of the day and evening my face was tender to the touch to the point of being uncomfortable.

I could not wait until this morning and then shave with my DE. The whole experience of a barbershop shave has been a bit of a let-down.

I don't think I'll be in any rush to go back to any barber just to get a shave from a shavette. Given that all barbers seem to use them now, I won't be back at all.

 

[michiganlover]

Typical shave, from a typical barber; regretably. This is 100% the fault of the Barber, and not at all the tools. It sounds like he may have been using a used blade (which negates the entire reason for using the Shavette in the first place) as well. Grrr...

While I don't like Shavette's that much, there are several on the board who use them, and get great shaves with them; the tool is thus not at fault.

 

[bonusmarple]

I had one of my best shaves in my life this morning with my Filarmonica. My face is still DFS 8 hours later. It can be done. Sadly, the art of the barber shave is virtually extinct.

 

[wazazzle]

Sorry to hear it didn't go as planned. Don't count all barbers out because of just one guy. Find an old school guy who still uses a traditional str8. It's usually a hush, hush thing and never advertised due to health codes. And more than likely if he wasn't your regular barber he was more concerned with churning clients and getting paid. It took me a few months but i eventually found a cute female barber who uses an old boker. Also you can always send your bengall to me and i can tell you how it shaves.

 

[joshmpdx]

How unfortionate!

a lot of folks ask if im interested in the old school barbers when they find out i shave with a straight razor. the answer for me has always been ...No! There's a reason, i've got so many razors and stones and strops and i've found what i like.

I doubt the barbar in this day and age has shaved as many customers as i i have in the morning.

with alll the info i've gotten from the B&B, i've been able to seriously personalize the edges on my razors... that along with knowing my face after putting in the time and effort from the steep learning curve. my face is pampered every day

 

[ShaveDave]

Sadly, it was a well known place in NYC that goes out of their way to advertise their shave service.

The guy put the fresh blade in right in front of my eyes. I had high hopes.

Not to mention I was the only person in the shop at the time and had pre-booked. I don't think churning through customers was the problem as much as wanting a smoke!

I just get the impression that the barber I got wasn't very interested. It is a shame. It is a great shop, especially the people who work the front of the store.

For now, if I want a crap shave with a straight, I'll do it myself, at least I'll be learning something! Actually even this experience was was worth it just for the learning experience. Just a 1-time learning experience.

 

[Luc]

Sad, it makes me want to bring my own straight to the barber if I can get a straight shave one day...

 

[dmcconnell]

Too bad you had such a crappy experience from a barber. Maybe you should try another shop?

When I first started shaving with a straight (6 months ago) I went to a local barber who straight shaves and had a very good experience. It was a near-BBS which involved about 5 blade changes and 3 passes. He was very interested that I was learning to shave with a 'real' straight razor and asked to see my razors sometime. Anyway, he provided a running commentary and tips during the shave and I found it a very inspiring experience and it provided a benchmark that took me some months to surpass in terms of shave quality. I haven't been back for another shave (I can't imagine wasting whiskers on someone else), but wouldn't hesitate to return.

For Calgary locals, the shop is called Razor's Edge.

 

[LarryAndro]

I had a very disappointing and similar experience some time back also. I really suspect that the old-timers didn't expect as much out of their shaves as we do now.

Here's the link to my article... http://straightrazorplace.com/forum...on/41496-old-timey-granbury-texas-barber.html

 

[sickz284u]

I must say I go to a barber that cuts my hair and gives straight razor hot lather shaves. They do amazing work and the quality of the shave is great. Sadly I have found that every barber shop that gives good shaves with a straight are often referred to as "ghetto" barber shops. Don't be shocked when you get impressed with somewhere that you would least expect it.

 

[joshmpdx]

The shops we have here in Portland look like places out of the "Man Show" with girls in haltertops giving shaves with shavettes or Feather straights.

 

[dpmtherrien]

Sorry the shave was not what you expected. I think most, if not all, of the really oldtime barbers who could give a great shave with a rock are long gone. And the newer barbers just don't have the experience with giving shaves with any type of razor.

I think once you get the skills and the technique of using a straight, any type of open blade razor down, that you can give yourself a very nice shave. Just take your time, ask questions here, and really learn how to use whichever type of straight you choose.

 

[netsurfr]

Very unfortunate. However, it is more a skill issue than anything else. While I normally shave with a regular straight, I will sometimes resort to using a disposable Feather AC or Japanese style Feather razor just for variety. I never get a poor shave.

 

[DavyRay]

I must say I go to a barber that cuts my hair and gives straight razor hot lather shaves. They do amazing work and the quality of the shave is great. Sadly I have found that every barber shop that gives good shaves with a straight are often referred to as "ghetto" barber shops. Don't be shocked when you get impressed with somewhere that you would least expect it.

If they know what they are doing, I would not care one whit what they are called. Skill is skill. BS is BS. I don't care how impressive their web site is. It's the experience that counts. Glad to know you know quality when you encounter it.

 

[sickz284u]

If they know what they are doing, I would not care one whit what they are called. Skill is skill. BS is BS. I don't care how impressive their web site is. It's the experience that counts. Glad to know you know quality when you encounter it.

I agree with you 100% on not caring about what they are referred to as.. This barber shop is great. Some of the nicest people and much greater attention to detail which I appreciate from a barber. After the first pass which is usually all that is needed, they run their hand across area's of the face to make sure its all silky smooth and that they didn't miss anything where the grain runs in different directions etc.. This attention and care to fine details is what makes the shave so great!!

 

[Seraphim]

95% of reports from guys who go to a barbershop for a shave these days come out as horror stories of poor shaves with red faces. A nice hot towel is usually the highlight of these stories, and the rest is all downhill.

Take that $45 or whatever it would cost you, and put it towards buying a shave ready straight.
It really is much MUCH better than the experience listed above.

 

[ouch]

The shops we have here in Portland look like places out of the "Man Show" with girls in haltertops giving shaves with shavettes or Feather straights.

You say that as if it's a bad thing.

 

[Woodash]

Anyone know if a barber will shave you with YOUR razor if you brought it in stropped and ready? I suppose it depends on the local health laws, but I was just wondering. There are enough old-timers around here who still shave, but I don't know that I want to get the shavette treatment...

 

[masonjarjar]

I have to say, it left a lot to be desired. I was really not impressed with the experience.

One can almost predict that a "I just had a barber shop shave" post on B&B is going to end up like this..

I'd roughly say.. what, 85% of these posts are negative? Is that generous?

 

[michiganlover]

Anyone know if a barber will shave you with YOUR razor if you brought it in stropped and ready?

Even if they allowed it, I would expect pretty horrific results! Someone who is used to using a Shavette, is likely going to rip your face to shreds when you place a regular straight in their hands.

The weight is different, the angle of attack is different. Way too many variables that can go badly wrong!