A barber shop shave - Bah!

[diverdoug]

The wife is out of town this week. She usuallly trims my hair, so yesterday I thought I would treat myself to a trip to the barber shop. Now I have not been to a barber in many years, but it was just how I remembered them. Old magazines, the smell of barbicide and clubman, ect. On the price list I saw that a hot lather shave was offered. Visions of an expertly weilded straight razor giving a perfect shave were foremost in my mind. The trim went uneventfully, than it was time for the good stuff. After a hot towel, heated goo from a can was smeared on my face, and the shaving commenced with A MACH 3! A single with the grain pass later, and I left with the worst shave I have had since I went back to DE wetshaving.
I walked out of the baarber shop with lots of stuble. I did not ask the barber to do anything else, because I just decided to go home and shave myself properly. I have asked around, and have the location of a barber that does straight razor shaves. I think I might stop by there this afternoon and see if I can get the traditional barber shave.

[probesport]

What a let down, I'm not sure I would have went through with it. It's like going to a nice steakhouse to find that they cooked your frozen steak in a microwave.

[diverdoug]

If I had seen the Mach 3 before being lathered up I would have backed out.

[Walt Whitman]

My jaw dropped when I read Mach 3!

That hack gives the Barbering profession of a bad name. Shame!

[JimmyD]

Wow, that's a bummer! How much was that barber shop charging for a Mach3 shave?

[probesport]

Other question, did he use a brand new Mach3 blade and then toss it out afterward?

[JBagKY]

I would think that this "barber" would be the exception rather than the rule. Back when I was still at my parent's, I would go to a barber shop that would touch up around your hairline with a straight razor. It was so nice to have a professional use warm cream on your neck and trim that up. Though, every one in that place were old enough to be my grandfather.

[Jim1968]

I would think that this "barber" would be the exception rather than the rule. Back when I was still at my parent's, I would go to a barber shop that would touch up around your hairline with a straight razor. It was so nice to have a professional use warm cream on your neck and trim that up. Though, every one in that place were old enough to be my grandfather.

Fond memories indeed. I had an old Navy barber cut my hair for years and use a straight edge for the nape of the neck. As the years went by he always charge the same price for me. Then he lost money on the hair cut, now he would make money.

[Johndwyeruk]

Other question, did he use a brand new Mach3 blade and then toss it out afterward?

Exactly what I was wondering, if it was a used one I would have crammed it where the sun don't shine lol

[Foyle]

I think the can of goo and M3 barber shaves is getting more common. Maybe it's a liability issue. There is a chain opened up here called "Men's Hair House" that's offering str8 razor shaves. I might check it out for a hair cut as I'm on the hunt for a barber shop. Not sure if I'd trust it for a shave. I'm not sure if it's staffed by real barbers or by "stylists." It looks like a men's version of a national salon chain if you catch my drift.

[drews50]

I share your pain. I was on a cruise and decided I would spoil myself and get the $75 shave and haircut that was part of the Mens Spa Special.

Okay shampoo and haircut, great scalp, leg and foot massage. Then the Mach3 shave. WTH

[diverdoug]

Cost for the shave was $8. Yes, the cartridge (hate to even honor these things with the title of "blade") was new, and discarded after the "shave".

[Hawkeyeted]

Most barbershop "shaves" are done with either a cart or a shavette that can be disposed of. I assume its a hygene thing.....

[mmack66]

Most barbershop "shaves" are done with either a cart or a shavette that can be disposed of. I assume its a hygene thing.....

+1. The chances of finding a shop that uses a stropped straight are slim, and then if you do find one, getting a good shave isn't a guarantee either. Getting a shave at a barbershop has been out of fashion for at least 40 years, so anything today is more novelty than serious grooming.

[tebbiebear]

Most barbershop "shaves" are done with either a cart or a shavette that can be disposed of. I assume its a hygene thing.....

My understanding is that it is law in many states as you say for "hygiene" reasons.

[Greyfox]

Sort of like cooking. If you want it done right cook it at home yourself rather than going out to some chain "get 'em served and get 'em out" restaurant. On the other hand a 4 star restuarant does things you can't do at home. That's the kind of experience you were seeking in an old fashioned barber shop shave. I honestly don't think there are many places left where you can get that 4 star shave. Best done at home now I think.

[diverdoug]

Sort of like cooking. If you want it done right cook it at home yourself rather than going out to some chain "get 'em served and get 'em out" restaurant. On the other hand a 4 star restuarant does things you can't do at home. That's the kind of experience you were seeking in an old fashioned barber shop shave. I honestly don't think there are many places left where you can get that 4 star shave. Best done at home now I think.

I am starting to think the same thing. I have heard that at some places like "Art of Shaving" you can still get the full treatment, but none of them are in the Tampa area that I know of. I called the barber shop that I heard uses straights, but they just use shavettes to trim hair.

[Price]

Epic Fail. Makes me appreciate that I live close enough to T&H in Chicago. Only been once, but THAT was a SHAVE!

[LuckyR]

My condolences. Reminds me of poor drinks from Pro bartenders after getting into mixology myself.

[Clovis Man]

A couple of months ago, I saw an ad on ESPN --

Did anybody else see those ads for a barber shop where you could get an old fashioned hot towel? No mention of a shave, just the hot towel!