I am so excited for tomorrow...

**BGog** · 07-17-2006, 11:27 PM

I've recently decided to take the wet shaving plunge. I'd like to tell you the
story of why..

Being sick of getting crappy SuperCuts haircuts, I decided to search for a good old fashioned barber shop. You know the kind where the first words out of the barbers mouth is likely to be "Damn Guv'ment". I searched the internet and phone book to no avail. I had nearly forgotten about my idea when I saw a small rotating barber-pole at the far end of a strip mall while driving to work. Jackpot.

Upon entering I knew I had found what I was looking for. There were two barber chairs lined up before a mirrored wall and the opposing wall was covered in WWII war posters and paintings of classic cars. "Do you take walk-ins?" I asked looking to the sole barber. Scissors of various sizes hung from loops on the front of the smock he wore tightly around his waist. He curled up his nose and peered at me through thick black-framed glasses. "Does this look like a beauty parlor to you? All we take is walk-ins."

Since he was working on a customer I wandered over to the magazine rack in the corner and grabbed the latest Hot-Rod from a selection that included two fishing rags, one about hunting and a Playboy from 1998. I didn't have long to wait as he appeared to be almost finished with his current customer.

Eventually I was waved to the chair and one my way I noticed a thick brown leather strap hanging from the side of the chair, this thing not only looked heavily used but like it needed a good vacation. "Do you actually do shaves?" I asked, settling into the chair. He looked at me for a moment and said, "Are you dumb?" He pointed to a sign by the door which indicated that shaves cost $15. I was really shocked, I didn't know anyone did shaves any more. I figured that had stopped long before my time. I had about a four day stubble going and figured why not. "I'd like a haircut and a shave then."

What followed can only be described as the epitome of masculine pampering. He pulled a leaver on the side of the barber chair and I slowly tilted backward. He wrapped my face in a steaming hot towel and proceeded to take his razor to the leather strap while I cooked. Once towel was removed, he fired up "The Machine". It was a silver box about size inches high bolted to the counter. The high-pitched whir it started with was suddenly muffled as a stream of hot lather poured out into the barbers hands. I must tell you, the smell of the cream was amazing, imagine a combination of leather, flowers and butter.

Now I'm sure it was because I've seen too many horror movies but I did have a tiny nervous pang when he brandished the cut-throat style razor

. However any concern was soon lost in the luxurios shaving experience. There was no pain or discomfort at all. I could hear a steady gritty sound as each hair was severed by his masterful hand. I never new a shave could be so fun.

When the shave was complete, he wrapped my face again in alternating hot and cold towels and splashed me with some aftershave. The smell of the aftershave took me by surprise, it was a smell I hadn't smelled since my grandfather used to take me to the barber fifteen years ago. That smell was a nice treat for the rest of the day as it kept those nice memories in my mind.

I've never in my life had such a close shave as I got that day. And to achive that without pain or razor-burn was just amazing to me. When I arrived home, I challenged my wife to find a single remaining stubble that she could still feel. She failed, of course, but it was nice having her try

So that is why I'm here. I decided that there must be a way for me to get a better shave at home. I never want to take a bic disposable to my face again!!

The reason I'm so excited is that tomorrow morning my order from classic
shaving will arrive. The box will will contain one Merkur VISION razor, a Vulfix #2233 Super Badger

Shaving Brush, and a tub of Taylor of Old Bond Street Luxury Shaving Cream.

I simply can't wait!

Thanks for bearing with my long post!

**Jonnybc** · 07-17-2006, 11:44 PM

Welcome BGog, do you have a first name, it's pretty friendly here.

Sounds like you had an excellent time, you'll need to find out what the aftershave the barber used, once you get the hang of DE shaving you'll shave as well as the barber shaved you, You'll end up having to track down the scent to complete your shaving experience.

Be careful with the Vision it has a lot of blade exposure, start with "N" on the scale.

**Kyle** · 07-18-2006, 04:03 AM

Great story, BGog, and welcome to B&B.

**Jim** · 07-18-2006, 04:26 AM

Welcome! Great story- don't forget to post about your first shave when your gear arrives.
Jim

**DoubleE** · 07-18-2006, 05:30 AM

Nice story BGog and you have some nice equipment on the way. I hope you've done your homework as to how you get the most from your new Vision by reading some of the posts within the forum. It is a wonder razor if your technique is sound. It's a little on the heavy side, so help support the weight of the razor so using as little pressure as possible to shear the whiskers. Let us know how it goes!

**htownmmm** · 07-18-2006, 05:40 AM

BGog,

sounds like you had an excellent first experience which leads to 2 questions:

1. What is your name?

2. Where are u located- I am pretty sure that the barber would love to have more customers!

Nice kit to start with and welcome to the collective:

Resistance is futile- you will be assimilated!

Marty

**Justso** · 07-18-2006, 05:49 AM

BCog (Name??),

Welcome to B&B

. Great story, I too have been wanting to experience the barber shop shave.

**mrob** · 07-18-2006, 06:25 AM

Great story and an elegant telling of it, if I may say so!

And guess what? The best part is that your *own* shaves will be even BETTER!!!

**JMT** · 07-18-2006, 06:42 AM

Welcome,

Sounds like great experience. Keep us posted on how your shaves are working out for you. Also, do not expect perfection on your first shave. Keep at it and I am sure you will enjoy the experience as much as the rest of the people on this forum.

**Dinder1** · 07-18-2006, 06:50 AM

Very cool story, makes me want to run out to the Barber shop.
Welcome.

Cheers, DJ.

**Tito** · 07-18-2006, 06:50 AM

Wow! You know when your addiction to all this stuff gets the best of you take comfort in knowing that you can even get one of the buzzy lather machines too.

**Aky007** · 07-18-2006, 07:00 AM

Congratulations on your amazing experience. And welcome to a classic tradition!

**Sue** · 07-18-2006, 07:44 AM

Welcome! I loved your story.
Sue

**BGog** · 07-18-2006, 11:29 AM

Thank you all for the warm welcome and the advice!

My name is Rob and I live in Santa Clara CA. I don't recall the barber shop having a name, it just said Barber. I'll investigate.

Over the last few days I spent quite a few hours reading the forums and essays! What a fountain of information you guys are! I'm going to take the learning process slow and I'm sure it will take me a couple weeks before I get a decent shave. I'm looking forward to the learning process.

I'll post photos of my new treasures tonight and I'll let you know how my first shave goes.

Thanks again everyone.
Rob

**Creslin** · 07-18-2006, 03:53 PM

I understand totally the problem with finding a haircut done the way you want it done. I was teaching outside of Beaumont and finally found one. That was the only regret i had about coming back to Tyler. After about a year I was getting ready to start driving to Beaumont every six weeks for a cut. Then I found the barber I've been using since. Great haircut, just makes sure to have him turn the golf off.

Good luck witht he DE experience. I too am about to travel into that great beyond where many men have gone before.

**BGog** · 07-18-2006, 10:42 PM

As promised here is a pic of my new setup. I'll post about my first shave in a little while.

Isn't it pretty

**guenron** · 07-19-2006, 06:31 AM

Welcome and enjoy Rob. Looks like you're off to a challenging start. Yiour salty old barber is quite the lad. What this country needs is a good 5 cent cigar and more crusty old barbers!

**Scotto** · 07-19-2006, 06:48 AM

Thanks for sharing your experience; I love stories like that.

**Justso** · 07-19-2006, 07:16 AM

Originally Posted by guenron

What this country needs is a good 5 cent cigar and more crusty old barbers!

You got that right buddy! Great call Ron

**deadgoon** · 07-19-2006, 07:57 AM

Originally Posted by guenron

What this country needs is a good 5 cent cigar and more crusty old barbers!

I agree. I came from a small town with just a couple of barber shops. While my barber wasn't crusty, everything else was pure old fashioned barbering. The straight razor, the foam machine, old men talking about farming and the town gossip, 35 cent Cokes (hey, I'm 29, the 5 cent variety were before my time), $3 haircuts, mystery tonics, and of course, the free cherry sucker.