My wife got me a barber shop straight razor shave for my 49th birthday. Guys, if you haven't had the real deal like in this video, you've never had a shave. That one blade got my face smooth as a baby's ass with no irritation. One blade, used correctly will shave you better than these new 4 and 5 blade things.
I've been straight razor shaving for about a year and a half, so have gotten fairly good at my shave (I was once told it's about a hundred shaves until you really have the hang of it!!). This guy's technique is astounding. When he opened up with that backhand swipe and got the skinny sideburn perfect, I was hugely envious....Plus, you can tell, he's got a quality blade (straights cost much bux nowadays for a really fine one)
I've just watched about a half dozen straight razor shaving videos. This is the first one where the barber used a big enough towel to adequately cover the throat. Everyone does a great job covering the forehead (which doesn't matter) with that signature folding technique, but most leave the throat (a very sensitive zone) without an adequate hot towel treatment. Well played, sir. Well played indeed!
Old timey barbers know how to provide a proper gentlemen's haricut and shave. There are a few in America, but you have to seek them out. If you can find one, then you will be glad you took the time to find such a place. These places provide a sterling service, and excellent conversation.
my grandfather is a retired barber that did things the old school way, i still have him give me a straight razor shave even though im an adult!! there isn't any more old school barbers where i live its all chain everyhing.
This is a dying art. I've called every barbershop in a fifty mile radius, and none of them are old school barbers. I'd gladly pay extra for this kind of treatment.
I was lucky enough to get a cut and hot towel shave of this fine gentleman not long before he departed! This man could have done this blind! They really treat you like family in that place! Which is why I was surprised when the bill came! Haha
It's so nice to see a skilled barber and also nice to see him wearing traditional uniform, most barbers go about in tshirts and jeans nowadays. People don't bother anymore, it's such a shame.
@Bogframe You're exactly right. I just switched to a safety razor, and it's nothing like shaving with those crappy disposable razors of five blades, seven blades, thirty blades, or whatever the hell they're selling now.
Worked with a guy who got one of those shaves, Hot towels the whole works. He normally shaves every day. But after getting one of these barbershop shaves he didn't have to shave for four days.
Man, it's been a while since my last proper straight razor shave at a genuine barber shop. It has always been a relaxing and refreshing experience. Thanks for the vid.
Brilliant video, a real traditional barber shop, in fact I don't think you could get any more original. It is not often we see a original towel steamer and a proper straight razor that needs to be honed and stroped, I have had many shaves from barbers and they all have used a straight razor that uses a disposable razor blade
For those who want to try this or experience more straight razor shaves, I suggest learning how to do it. Yes it takes a little while and it can cost a lot of money upfront. But once you become proficient at it, it is better than any other shave. I went "straight" 2 years ago and love it. As for the customer in the vid, aye, he does need to relax and close those eyes.
The best shaving clip i've seen so far... no irritating music track. Just lovely ambient with static camera. The razor belt shot was a real bonus! Query: Does this barber still use manual hair clippers? Would love to see him use that
No problem! :) Actually "American Patrol" is only in the first part of the video, I don't know what the other is. It might be an other Glenn Miller tune.
What do you mean by the first question...i mean isn't it kind of obvious? They put shaving cream onto the client's face with their hands...2nd question, he's just massaging it in to soften the hairs.
I've read that applying the shaving cream, followed by a hot towel or shower is a great pre-shave ritual. The glycerin, moisterizers, and oils in the cream soften the beard which makes for a better shave and not to mention easier on the razor blades.
@kreativedevelopments Yes. We wet them first. The towels are put through a mangle to remove excess water and then into the hot towel steamer. You can see the mangle at about 10 sec in the video. Regards.
I loved the video. There are few things in this world more relaxing than a good old fashion barber shop shave. I got one once. I am tempted to go back to that barber shop (I doubt it is even still there but it would be worth a shot) to get one again.
That depends on the barber you go to, really. I went to one earlier this year, February 16 to be exact, and they charged $27 for a shave!!! "No way!!!", I thought, when I heard the price!
Good point about the term cut-throat. There are a few theories including your own. My favourite is where Gillette used is a negative term to promote their own product which was called a "Safety Razor"!! This early advertising by Gillette really brought the term cut-throat to the fore. Thanks,Tonstrina
Hi loving the vids,I notice that your strop is very loose when honing and I am led to believe this rounds the edge of the blade`completely the opposite to what everyone says you should not do,could you explain how you manage to keep a sharp edge this way please
No classy places like this that I can find here near Saint Louis Missouri... Question, how much does something like that go for? ($ pls, unless you dont know, then i'll google it)
I couldn't stop laughing after 1:20, the barber looks like a Scientist about to do an experiment, as he sharpens the straight razor. Nonetheless, great video.
That's interesting how he applied some shave cream before the hot towel. I've never seen that before. I guess that is to act as a moisturizer of sorts.
This would not be allowed in the UK because the Health & Safety people would be after you. Not to mention the human rights lawyers getting compensation for the stress of seeing a razor.
I have a shave in Paul Mole's New York (est. 1913) the other week to compare it with this place. There is no comparison to the Waldorf experience. All the attention to detail and rituals you get here you don't get elsewhere.
Yes, and normanater1 knows what he is talking about - Liam talks about you (normanater1) and the haircut you get. I believe you only like to get it done with a straight cutthroat razor and no scissors.
Having a flutter in an old non franchise bookmaker, popping in to a place like this for an exceptional haircut and a shave. Then to top it all off, head in to a pub and enjoy a nice pint of guinness (or whatever takes your fancy). That would be a fine way to spend an afternoon! Sadly I live in the north of Ireland and do not know of any barbers like this.. sad really. A dying breed of class throughout the world i fear.
@andrmikg I switched to shaving with a Double Edge safety razor and using a shaving brush with quality shaving cream and I stopped getting ingrown hairs and acne almost overnight. Electric Razors are like taking a weedwacker to your face. I use a Merkur 38c with Feather Razor blades and Speik Shaving cream followed up with some Neutrogena aftershave. My face feels like a baby's butt all day.
Hello there, do you know "HAiRator" (just google it)? There you can watch a good free video explaining a painfree body hair removal treatment that requires absolutely no waxing and / or shaving. In fact, even doctors advocate it. This made it possible for Kennedy to have long lasting soft skin. It may help you out also...
Shaves used to take so long because the barbers took their time and did a good job. Not because they cared mind you, its because TV and the internet and video games and basically everything close to being fun wasent around yet, so what the fuck else were you going to do with your day. This shit was like Call of Duty 2 back in the day.
Debate? What debate? You made an ill informed hyperbolic claim with no evidence to support it and I and Terryfinn6 called out you out on it. If you would rather focus on my use of slang than actually supporting your claim or disproving mine then it just highlights how little substance your initial statement had. and for the record I don't read tabloids.
You don't half talk some bollocks. There are 2 traditional barbers in my town in the UK and both offer traditional shaves with a cutthroat razor. I had one myself a few months ago. Try getting your info from somewhere other than the Daily Mail. You might find you stop being so dangerously ill informed. You'll probably be happier too.
@vangard213 We do!!! It is part of our program. If you cannot find a professional barbershop to offer it, go to a barber school. They are required to do it for their state board test. And they are not allowed to begin shaves until about 1/4 of their way into school. Happy hunting!
Waylander1978. If you must sink to the level of swear words to express your opinions I do not wish to continue the debate. You apparently subscribe to the Star or Sun. You are lucky, though, to have two barbers able and willing to perform an excellent shave. Good afternoon to you Sir.
@muscleandtan I am 22 and one of the youngest guys at my barber. Ben's Barber Shoppe, in Bath, ME...same place my grandfather has been going for years. I can't stand going to a "stylist" or franchise. I'll take my $8 hair cut any day!
@TeslaDRay You can still get safety razors by mail order from the vermont Country Store, amongst others. blades as well, although here in Texas most well stocked Mens grooming stores carry double edged blades.
@004kri Stupid question...read the video description... And by the way, english is not my native language, not even the first foreign language i learned, and i recognized the irish accent though...
I'm not too good with stropping, but did anyone find that the barber held the strop with more slack than usual? I was told that youve got to keep the strop as tense as possible.
