Barber Shop Shave

[benmcd]

A few years ago I was in Perth, Western Australia and had a particularly rough Velcro going on. I walked past a barber shop and noticed that they did head shaves. I went in and waited for a while. The barber knew exactly what I was in for, as there was not enough Velcro "to style" on my noggin.
It was a very enjoyable experience to have your head shaved and get the whole hot towel, shaving cream brush and straight razor shave, but I have to say the end result was not as good as I had expected, or get at home with a Gillette Mach III or a comparable razor. There were the kinda rough patches that you can only deal with yourself, you know the ones that you go over a few more times after you have finished shaving. All in all it was a good experience, but I am not sure that I would pay another $25 for. 

[Mikekoz13]

I would do it once for the experience. I don't think there is anywhere local to me where they do that.

[Papa Don]

Your right!  The barber shop shave is never as close as you can do yourself.  The pampering is worth the money though.

[Alexander215]

Hopefully they used a disposable straight razor, the old fashioned types can carry across blood borne pathogens.

[GaryT]

Geez....There is a place locally that does it and I've been thinking about it for quite a while, just for the experience but now I'm thinking not after some of these comments. Trouble is I know they do not use any disposible blades. I've had a face shave done with a straight blade just like they use, but never considered the point that shdwlk mentioned!!

[Sooner Steve]

As a kid, I always thought it was cool in the western movies how the grizzled cowboy went into the barber shop and got a shave with a straight. Always thought you would have to totally trust your barber with that thing at your throat.   

[GaryT]

You said it Steve!! It's pretty scary when they start rubbing that thing off with a strap, or what ever it's called!

[D.A.L.U.I.]

Many years ago after graduating from school, my Father gave me an extended tour of Europe.  By some twist of fate, I lost my razor before I went to Barcelona the first time.  Franco was in his last days, and his government had really high tariffs on "foreign" goods, so I decided to wait until I was back in France or Germany to buy a replacement.  I decided to go down the street from my hotel to a barber shop for a shave--what a pleasant experience.  Although not bald at the time--just the hole in the back of the head, I had a straight razor shave from heaven.  Literally, I didn't have to shave for 3 days!  So, I got another before heading back to France.  I went to Barcelona at least five times during my stay--it was in the old Eurorail pass days--and every time I went, I went to MY BARBER for a shave.  Never since have I ever had such a shave.  If, no I have to say when I get back I'm going to look up the barbershop and have another, but this time the full monty.

[Sooner Steve]

Sounds like fun, SaintC.   

[D.A.L.U.I.]

Sounds like fun, SaintC.   

It really was, a major event in my life.  I recently finished a book set in Barcelona, and boy does that get the juices running to go back--fantastic place.  I'm playing w/ some dates if we don't go over budget on a little work at the house.  To be on the Ramblas, eating tapas, life!

[wpruitt]

You said it Steve!! It's pretty scary when they start rubbing that thing off with a strap, or what ever it's called!

Down here, it's called a "strop"

[fcb2001]

i love barbershop shaves.

[zzaapp]

Always thought you would have to totally trust your barber with that thing at your throat.   

And, Ya don't want to go to the barber for a shave right after seeing Sweeny Todd...

[Antimidas]

Ech!  Don't know what is worse - The idea of a mass murdering barber, Helena Bonham Carter singing, or Johnny Depp doing anything.  You're right.  I would be too busy hurling for the barber to get anywhere near my throat.