Thread: My First Straight Razor Shave at the Barber

I went today for my first straight razor shave by a Barber. It was terrible I have so much rash and it looks like I never received a shave. When I was getting the shave it seemed as my hair was being ripped off. I commented on it but was told it was because my hair grows in so many directions. Can anyone tell me if this is true or maybe I chose a really bad Barber? I am hoping when I get my razor I have better luck. I get a better shave with my DE.
Russ

that's one bad barber

I can't say if it's true or not that your hair grows in many directions. I haven't seen you. However it sounds like a very bad Barber indeed. I think once you get some practice with your own razor, perhaps a month or two, you will find that out for yourself. I also think, perhaps you will know you've been led astray after you have a weeks worth of shaves down. It still won't be as a clean a shave as your regular method at that stage, but you should be getting a reasonably comfortable shave in that time at the least.


Mick

Bad "Barber". What kind of prep did he do. What did he use to shave you with? Lots of factors to look at but like in another recent barber thread you have to keep in mind just because they are called "Barbers" doesn't mean they will have the same skill set that a barber from 1950 would have. The barbers straight razor shave is almost a thing of the past. Most people dont think of shaves anymore just getting their hair "fixed" when they go to a barber shop

Michael

Bad Barber! I get great BBS shaves all the time and I am afraid of paying someone else and taking a big risk of being let down. I know there are some good ones out there though.

Pabster

Bad Barber, don't let it discourage you.

Your experience is typical. If you had said you're experience was wonderful then we'd sit up and take notice.

Modern barbers are not trained to do straight shaves so these guys are just using you to get some experience and figure out how to do it. Most never do.

I got a barber shave once. It was a good shave, but I found mine was equally good or better than his. But it sounds like you got a bad barber.

I'd also say "bad barber"...don't let him discourage you. Read alot of these forums and you'll learn TON'S of useful information from a huge bunch of highly kowledgeable people.

I went with my (now) brother in law and his best man for haircuts and shaves last saturday. They are both a bit less hairy than me, and my beard grows in about 4 directions. After shaving them, the barber came up to me and looked at my beard and actually told me I'd probably be better shaving myself.


I think he's right anyway, but it was nice for the honesty.