What is the purpose of a barber's notch?

[Slowhand]

I'm vacationing in Hilton Head, and we took a day trip to Savannah today. I spotted four or five antique stores, and one of them had about twenty straights, an assortment of mugs, and couple brushes. They were WAY overpriced, but alas...

The proprietor of this fine establishment was standing with me while I perused through his collection. I went through and was giving him lessons on things, brands I'd heard of, razor anatomy, etc. He obviously didn't have any experience other than having them in a display case.

Anyway, we got to a razor that had a barber's notch, and after I pointed it out by name, he asked if it had a purpose. I was stumped.

Help me out B&B, what is the purpose of it, if any? Or is it just aesthetics?

 

[Arrow]

The most common-sense answer I've heard is that the old Barbers would hook it on their apron or pocket to open the razor with one hand.

 

[FiveOhNine]

no one knows....someone was told at one point, but he had to be killed, of course.

 

[SliceOfLife]

Aerodynamics

 

[Shangas]

Beg your pardon but...what is a barber's notch and what's it look like?

 

[Legion]

 

[xbwolfx]

i thought it existed to manuever around tricky spots like the nostrils, ears, etc., more easily

 

[honed]

The most common-sense answer I've heard is that the old Barbers would hook it on their apron or pocket to open the razor with one hand.

I think that is the most resonable explanation I've heard too.

 

[johnmrson]

i thought it existed to manuever around tricky spots like the nostrils, ears, etc., more easily

That's what my understanding has always been of a barbers notch.

 

[kg4ghn]

The most common-sense answer I've heard is that the old Barbers would hook it on their apron or pocket to open the razor with one hand.

This makes sense.

no one knows....someone was told at one point, but he had to be killed, of course.

i thought it existed to manuever around tricky spots like the nostrils, ears, etc., more easily

I have heard this too, but sitting here pretending like I have a straight in my hand I can't figure out how I could actually use a barber's notch in this way.

 

[Ronan the BARBERian]

This makes sense.








I have heard this too, but sitting here pretending like I have a straight in my hand I can't figure out how I could actually use a barber's notch in this way.

Ah but a barber shaves others and not himself so can hold it differently

 

[professorchaos]

i thought it existed to manuever around tricky spots like the nostrils, ears, etc., more easily

That is what I thought as well.

 

[Woodash]

I'm invoking Occam's Razor on this one.

 

[JPDyson]

Ah but a barber shaves others and not himself so can hold it differently

Still, I challenge you (or anybody) to demonstrate a useful position for which the barber's notch is helpful. I can't imagine one. If it's about getting close to things, the square and french points make more sense to me.

I like the one-hand opening theory.

 

[pz93c]

I like the "It looks cool" option.

 

[BigRich]

This is one of those "i've always wondered too but was afraid to ask" questions.

 

[mr. s]

The last time a barber shaved me, he was using the hook to flip bacon in a pan next to my head. I enjoyed both the smell of hot bacon as well as the searing heat of the grease as the straight was brought back to my face.
Best of both worlds.

 

[DFrancis]

Straight razor place has a wiki entry on this.

What is the point of a barber's notch?

1. The most commonly given answer is: The notch assists in opening the straight razor.[13] These and many more reasons are quoted, but none as of this point have been proven.
2. Other answers include:
1. The notch is a proof mark for superior steel.
2. The notch is a proof mark that the razor is for barbers
3. The notch is used to shave around obstacles on the customer's face.
4. The notch allows one hand opening, for example, by catching the notch on a breast pocket.
5. The notch is just a cosmetic flair

 

[Munxcub]

The last time a barber shaved me, he was using the hook to flip bacon in a pan next to my head. I enjoyed both the smell of hot bacon as well as the searing heat of the grease as the straight was brought back to my face.
Best of both worlds.

You brought in your own bacon scented mama bear soap for the occasion I hope.

 

[orchestrion]

Still, I challenge you (or anybody) to demonstrate a useful position for which the barber's notch is helpful. I can't imagine one. If it's about getting close to things, the square and french points make more sense to me.

I like the one-hand opening theory.

I apologize for my frazzled appearance. I'm in college. It's not my fault.







I also apologize for using Forest Whitaker's eyes.