First "real" barber shave

[hoselayer]

Hey guys,

I have been DE shaving now for about 2 months (give or take) and have enjoyed it greatly. I have also read here and talked with folks about the infamous days of old and the barber shave. I have searched diligently to find a local barber that does it to no avail.

I was at Disney World this past week (I know you all missed me) to give my two wonderful daughters (9 & 7) their first "magical Disney experience"!! While waiting for our diner table the first night there, I stumbled across info about a barber in the Contemporary Resort that did them. Guess where I was when I found this out........1 Floor above him!!!!! So, I proceeded down a floor and talked with the man. I made my appointment for the next day!!!!! I couldn't wait, I was like a little kid the night before Christmas.

Well my turn came and it was SWEET!!! The face massage/prep with some type of noxzema based face cream to soften things up. Then the hot lather followed by hot towel after hot towel. Then more hot lather and the straight razor!! I got a 4 pass shave, but the first pass was the only one with shave cream. All others were just the hot towel and the noxzema stuff?!?! Contrary to what I expected, I had NO irritation at all.

It all finished with cold towels and aftershave.......with a little kick (Clubman Pinaud). He said it had alcohol and eucalyptus. Smelled pretty good too. He finished it all off with topper talc powder.

He conversed quite abit and made jokes and stuff, so it was very enjoyable. The actual shave was what I feel to be sub par. I can do much better with my DE and not going ATG. Could even still see a shadow. He did however ask how I shaved and for how long. So i am guessing his experience told him I was not ready for the full on shave?!?! Has anyone else had the experience from a barber shave??

The overall shave experience was incredible to say the least. I wouldn't hesitate to do it again. Had he not had to move my head back and forth, I would have easily fell asleep with a straight razor to my face and throat.

[DirtyDave]

Hey guys,

snip...

Well my turn came and it was SWEET!!! The face massage/prep with some type of noxzema based face cream to soften things up. Then the hot lather followed by hot towel after hot towel. Then more hot lather and the straight razor!! I got a 4 pass shave, but the first pass was the only one with shave cream. All others were just the hot towel and the noxzema stuff?!?! Contrary to what I expected, I had NO irritation at all.

snip...

He conversed quite abit and made jokes and stuff, so it was very enjoyable. The actual shave was what I feel to be sub par. I can do much better with my DE and not going ATG. Could even still see a shadow. He did however ask how I shaved and for how long. So i am guessing his experience told him I was not ready for the full on shave?!?! Has anyone else had the experience from a barber shave??

The overall shave experience was incredible to say the least. I wouldn't hesitate to do it again. Had he not had to move my head back and forth, I would have easily fell asleep with a straight razor to my face and throat.

I finally found a barber here in Houston that seems to be skilled in the nearly lost art of the barbershop shave. The barber is woman who speaks not very good English, but that is quibbling. I could argue that I can give myself a better shave, but hers is smooth and close by anyone's standards. I always come out of that shop feeling like million dollars. My wife likes to get a manicure; I like to go get a shave.

I think the Noxzema stuff you mentioned was Gabel's Brushless Shave Cream. It's been barbershop staple for a long time. You can get it on-line or at a barber supply shop.

[mantic]

I finally found a barber here in Houston that seems to be skilled in the nearly lost art of the barbershop shave. The barber is woman who speaks not very good English, but that is quibbling. I could argue that I can give myself a better shave, but hers is smooth and close by anyone's standards. I always come out of that shop feeling like million dollars.

Details. I want DETAILS!!

--Mark

[txengineer]

Ditto,
I'm planning a trip to Houston on the motorcycle to visit my old friends and neighborhood. Anyone remember the glory of Westbury Square in the 1960s? A detour to the barber could be easily worked into my schedule.

[DirtyDave]

Ditto,
I'm planning a trip to Houston on the motorcycle to visit my old friends and neighborhood. Anyone remember the glory of Westbury Square in the 1960s? A detour to the barber could be easily worked into my schedule.

Details. I want DETAILS!!

--Mark

Here is the information you guys asked for:

http://www.memorialbarbershop.com/

Memorial Barber Shop
5510 Memorial Dr.
Houston, TX 77007

713.862.7709

The barber I use is Jainie, but there are two other barbers named Norman and May and both also offer straight razor shaves.

Good luck with it and let me know how it goes.