the old fashoned barber shop shave...

[6StringShooter]

I wanted to ask some of yall that know a lot more about the Golden Era (and even a few decades after) than I do about the place of the barber shop shave in the routine of a man in those bygone years. Would a man go to a barber shop every time he needed to shave? I would assume not. Was a professional shave part of a weekly or bi-weekly hygeine routine (possibly with a trim off of the back and sides). Did he typically get a shave when he would get a haircut (under the assumption that he hadnt shaved earlier that day or the day before, at least)...or was it just a luxury item to sort of treat himself to every once in a while? Thanks!!!

 

[Jovan]

I imagine most men shaved themselves. I would have gotten a straight razoring while I was at the barber shop, myself.

 

[J. M. Stovall]

This morning on the Today Show they were pampering some men from the crowd in honor of fathers day, and one guy was getting a shave with a straight razor! Makes me want to give it a try.

 

[jamespowers]

This morning on the Today Show they were pampering some men from the crowd in honor of fathers day, and one guy was getting a shave with a straight razor! Makes me want to give it a try.

Don't try it on yourself! Have the professional do it first. You get an idea of what is involved that way.

Regards,

J

 

[Tony in Tarzana]

Take a look at the latest issue of Classic Style.

 

[woodyinnyc]

I remember my grandfather going to the barber shop twice a week for shaves. I don't remember him shaving himself. He went on Tuesday and Saturday, obviously on Saturday so he was clean shaven for church, and the again on Tuesday afternoon for the rest of the work week. I have had a few barber shop shaves and can easily get 3 days out of one shave, so it would be very easy to go twice a week and not do it yourself. I need to work on that myself!!! I really hate scraping my face!

 

[John in Covina]

The Art of Shaving has a shop in the mall that connects the Mandalay Bay and the Luxor in fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada. They used a shavette. AOS has some great men’s products and truly lovely shave creams although a bit on the pricey side. To feel like a real winner and come out smelling like a rose, I am hoping to get a shave next time I am in VEGAS! The Art of Shaving has other locations too.

http://www.theartofshaving.com/taos6/locations.php

 

[John in Covina]

A Customer reports (As written by a San Diego enthusiast)

Located on Orange Avenue, in Coronado California, (also known as the Crown city) is a small barber shop known as Crown Barber. Coronado, home to both multi-millionaires and 3 Naval bases full of well, non-millionaires like myself, is an Island located across the San Diego bay from downtown San Diego.

To get to Crown Barber, simply cross the CA 75 Coronado Bay Bridge, continue straight through town until reaching Orange Avenue, the town's main thoroughfare. Turn left. Continue for a few stoplights, I do not remember the exact cross street, but Crown barber is on the left (for a landmark, the town's only Starbucks coffee is on the right). Find parking and walk in. Crown Barber Shop 947 Orange Avenue, Coronado, CA 92118 (619) 435-8637


The waiting room is a small arrangement of benches around a small table covered in magazines. Many of the clientele are military, it is completely ordinary to be sitting between a group of Navy SEALS on one side and on other side a multimillionaire residing in one of his summer homes. Everyone seems to get along.

I wait my turn, and when called on tell the barber I am interested in shaves. He immediately told me to go back and wait, and told the one of the other Barbers who began prepping the chair next to the sink. Finally I was called up and sat in the chair. The barber had an interesting banter, all too happy to discuss razors, strops (he preferred horsehide, as I recall) and various such things. Then the hot towel. I relaxed under the hot towel until my face had adjusted, then the barber removed this towel, slathered my face with Molle, then some lather from the lather king. Then he put another hot towel on my face on top of the lather. When he removed the second towel, yet another smoothing of Molle (brushless for those who aren't familiar with the product) and some hot lather from the lather king. I was then shaved one pass with the grain, followed by another towel, and a final pass across the grain. He said he did not like to give shaves against the grain, especially with the disposable blade razors, as he believed it caused irritation and ingrown hairs. I could have requested it but didn't push the issue. He finished off with a hot towel, followed by a COLD towel. He then asked if I was "ready for the Bay Rum" (he said the owner is very interested in remaining a "traditional" style of barber shop so they had all the old classics, including bay rum. I do not know which brand.) I said yes, and he splashed the stinging stuff on my face (whoo...smelled good but OWW) after which he dusted my face with powder. I don't know if it was Clubman or what. I then proceeded to receive a haircut as well. I walked out of the barber shop (after tipping the barber) feeling like I had just walked stepped out of a time warp to the early 1950's. The clothing styles and magazines may have changed since then, but I don't believe Crown Barber shop has. Price for shave and a haircut? around 15 bucks.
John P.

 

[John in Covina]

Then and Now

I suspect that if you made a good living you could afford the Barbar shave as often as needed, but in the time of the straight razor there were those that lacked the dexterity or other skill(s) that were necesary to shave without trouble. When using a straight i will nick myself at least once every other shave, luckily the small nicks are nearly painless until the styptic pencil or alum block is applied. That is a wake up call.

I haven't been using the straight as i haven't had the good fortune of getting them truly shave sharp the last few honing seesions, which is disheartening. I preffer not to have to pay for that job.

Currently using a Merker Double Edge razor and the wet shave with badger brush applied lather for a nearly as good experience.

 

[woodyinnyc]

The Art of Shaving has a shop in the mall that connects the Mandalay Bay and the Luxor in fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada. They used a shavette. AOS has some great men’s products and truly lovely shave creams although a bit on the pricey side. To feel like a real winner and come out smelling like a rose, I am hoping to get a shave next time I am in VEGAS! The Art of Shaving has other locations too.

http://www.theartofshaving.com/taos6/locations.php

I can only speak of the Art of Shaving in NYC, but it is truly a wondrous experience. I use their shave products at home and splurge on the royal shave when I feel the need to do something special for myself.

 

[panamag8or]

Take a look at the latest issue of Classic Style.

I was disappointed with that article. Not exactly a ringing endorsement for any type of non-multiblade, non-canned goo shaving. He pretty much said "Meh" about it, like his Edge gel and Fusion was superior. "My towel was too hot"... "It cost too much"... "It's so inconvenient"... :cry:

 

[Undertow]

I was actually speaking to my grandfather about this the other day and he advised he and his brothers shaved themselves. He only received a barber shave when he went to get his hair cut. Otherwise, he and his family used his father's straight razor until he was old enough to buy his own "safety" razor. He still has his safety razor, in fact, and he often uses it.

 

[EdinLA44]

John,

I've heard of Crown before. What type of razor did he use when he shaved you? Was it a Shavette?

Ed

 

[John in Covina]

John, I've heard of Crown before. What type of razor did he use when he shaved you? Was it a Shavette? Ed

***************
Actually I did not write the report it was another John. BUT! It is my understanding that it is against the law to use a regular straight razor in California these days, so I would presume a shavette. Although other barbers will use disposible twin blade shavers too.

 

[Jovan]

... against the law? Oh come on.

 

[John in Covina]

... against the law? Oh come on.

*********
For use by a barbar on patrons, YES!

 

[Matt Crunk]

I've had the pleasure of a barber shop shave a time or two just for the pure experience. To me it's one of those things every man needs to experience at least once.

Sadly, it's getting harder and harder to find a good old fashioned barber, let alone one who still offers strait razor shaves. My barber is in his late 60's and has been in the business for close to 50 years. When he and others like him are gone I wonder what's to become of the corner barber shop.

Thankfully, it looks like the retro and rockabilly scene had rekindled an interest of sorts in the traditional barber shop. Let's hope it's enough.

-MC

 

[Matt Crunk]

*********
For use by a barbar on patrons, YES!

I am lucky (or unlucky, depending on how you view it) enough to live in one of the last remaining states, last remaining counties even, that does not regulate barbering at all. In my city/county and a few others around Alabama, there is no licensing requirement for barbers beyond a regular business license. There are no shop inspections and no training required. That is at once refreshing and somewhat scary.

-MC

 

[Jovan]

Well, I think they should be certified in Not-Cutting-Your-Face-Openness(TM) at least. lol

 

[woodyinnyc]

It is quite possible that it is against the law in California. It is in Florida and New York, the states I know for sure that it is. Has to do with Sterilization and Sanitation.