First barbershop shave

[reddog]

Well, I went and got my first barbershop shave today. And, as I read, it was nowhere as smooth as I do at home. It was a nice experience though. I didn't shave for 3 days so there was plenty to shave. The barber did the HOT towels and shaved mostly with the grain. He took his time and put on lotion and did a nice long head massage at the end. Two guys came in the shop just as he was lathering me up, and their eyes were glued to me during the shave.

Overall, it was a good experience, and I will do it again as a treat, but don't like spending that much money, and having to come home and re-shave my head.

[Sir Harry]

As someone who does the barbershop headshave occasionally, I must say that even if the shave isn't necessarily as close as you can do yourself, I find that my closest shaves by the barber have been when the shop is virtually empty and business is slow. Some will take the time to shave you a second time to get you smoother in this situation. Tuesday and Wednesday are the best days to go for a BSBBS shave if you know what I mean.

[slymyke]

I may have to give it a try sometime. 

[Magoo]

Nah !  I'm to cheap.

[Semi-Sly]

I am on my way home from Burning Man.  I am camped near Mt. Rushmore tonoight. 

As you probably know, gifting" is a big part of BM.  One of the things I "gifted" was giving buzzcuts, mohawks and head shaves.  I used my best stuff when giving head shaves, (Real hot water, new razor for each guy, Pacific shave oil, Pacific shave cream, and Clinique M Lotion) - all in the middle of an alkali desert!  When guys were getting a head shave from someone else, especially after not having had a decent shower for a week, they practically melted with the comfort factor.  They loved it!  I had a lot of "customers"!

P.S. I also gifted marrying people.  That was fun and the couples really appreciated my services.

[tmarion]

I've always wanted to do the barbershop shave.  It looks very nostalgic and frightening at the same time.  I assume they used the straight razor to shave your dome.

[Sly Red]

re: Straight razor

It depends on the barber.  I you want a luxurious experience go to the barber at Art of Shaving at Woodfield Mall (Schaumburg, IL).  Pricey, but worth it.

Red

[reddog]

Yes, tm, he used a straight razor. It was a great experience except it wasn't as close as I can do myself. Could be because two guys were waiting. They had their eyes fixed on me.

I was a bit nervous while waiting, could tell my heart was beating pretty hard.

[gwsmallwood]

re: Straight razor

It depends on the barber.  I you want a luxurious experience go to the barber at Art of Shaving at Woodfield Mall (Schaumburg, IL).  Pricey, but worth it.

Red

I'm pretty sure there's a YouTube video from that store.  I think the guy uses like 7 different towel wraps throughout the course of the shave.  Awesome.  I think I've got the guys in my Bible study group convinced to go to a local shop here to get straight shaves for our next group activity.

[socknoggle]

The place I used to go to get hair cuts takes appointments for head shaves.  If you can find someplace like that maybe the time factor won't be as much of a problem and they'll take better care of you.  I still haven't made it in there for a shave, but I'm planning to in the not too distant future.  It's good to spoil yourself once in a while!

[oldbaldguy]

My first razor shave was at a place called the Man Shop. Scantily clad hotties. Hot towel, razor shave, cold towels and a scalp massage.

 

[Bilko1]

My first barbershop head shave was at my regular barber's. I was 26 at the time (1991) and it was just a few months after I got married. I had fairly thick & long (collar length) hair at the time that I had grown out from having had a #2 all over. It was summer and I was at the barber's for a summer trim as it was fairly warm at the time. Whilst the barber was cutting my hair (buzzing with a #4 guard), he asked me if I didn't want to go shorter. I said that I did. He asked how short I wanted to go & I said really short. He changed the clipper guard to a #1 and buzzed my hair really short. Just as I thought he was finished, he changed clipper to one with smaller looking blades & removed the guard from the. He reduced my hair further to almost totally bald (#000). I thought he had finished when he said that he was now going to shave my head nice & smooth with a straight razor. He gave me the full treatment - hot towels, pre-shave creme, warm foam.. He shaved my head twice (with the grain & then against the grain). To say that I wasn't nervous would be an understatement. It felt like my heart was going to burst out of my chest during the headshave, especially part 2 (against the grain)... Other guys in the shop were looking on in amazement as I went from hairy to sly in one haircut. The amazing thing was that although I was really quite frightened, I actually enjoyed the experience. And now, I almost can not wait to shave my head. Now I just shave my own head and save money.

[skinhead002]

Its been a long time since I got one.  They are a great reward to yourself for the experience. I've never had one that was a clean as I could do myself.