I can't believe what I read today

**Shane** · 07-20-2006, 03:57 PM

I was surfing for more shaving stuff/barber shops on the internet when I happened upon a barber shop in New Orleans called Aidan Gill for Men. I checked it out and clicked on the link called "The Shave At The End Of The Galaxy." Reading the first few paragraphs made me gag. I won't plagiarize but I will paraphrase. The owner of the shop basically says that the Mach 3 is the pinnacle of razor technology and smoothness. He then goes on to say that if something superior to it were to have been made, the public would certainly know about it by now. That was bad enough, until I read about this shave at "the end of the Galaxy". The barber softens you up with hot towels, lathers you up, blah blah blah, he uses a Mach 3. That's all I needed to read before clicking the "X" in the right hand corner.

I'm sorry, call me an elitist, but if I'm at a purported "high end" barber shop where I get my face swaddled in hot towels, lathered up and ready to shave, I had better get shaved with a DE or a straight razor. What a waste of money and time to have a barber shave your face with a Mach 3.

Just my two cents.

**AJS** · 07-20-2006, 04:34 PM

Aidan Gill isn't the only so called high end barbershop that is responsible for this ridiculous misinformation being bandied around. If I ever go for a shave in a barber shop (where I live it's not really an option unfortunately) then someone better have a straight razor to hand.

**Harkonnendog** · 07-20-2006, 05:36 PM

I'd be just as pissed off if the barber used a DE as a Mach 3.

**roughrider** · 07-20-2006, 09:58 PM

That's horrible.

**msandoval858** · 07-20-2006, 10:37 PM

Maybe these idiots get some kind of kick back from Gillette for praising the product? Just a thought...

**htownmmm** · 07-21-2006, 01:47 PM

Shane & Alex,

I couldn't agree more! No straight-then no touchy da face!

Marty

**wess76** · 07-21-2006, 02:28 PM

Yeah, pretty bad information on the Mach 3 being the pinnacle of all shaving tools. But I will have to defend that particular shaving experience. I received a hot towel shave a Aidan Gill as a wedding present from a buddy of mine. I was a bit skeptical of the shave since I recently switched to a DE after demolishing my face with the Mach 3 for years. All in All the experience was very relaxing. I think the complimentary choice of scotch or ale and the gorgeous woman that performed the shave really helped me enjoy the shave. She honestly could have used a swiss pocket knife and I would have not noticed. The warm towel shave, conversation, cold beer and then walking out in to the scorching New Orleans heat with a smooth clean face actually turned out to be a pleasurable experience for me. I would probably do it again, if I had some time to kill next time I was in NOLA. Anyway, Just my two cents. Wess

**TraderJoe** · 07-21-2006, 09:44 PM

Originally Posted by msandoval858

Maybe these idiots get some kind of kick back from Gillette for praising the product? Just a thought...

this is quite possible.

**Jonnybc** · 07-22-2006, 05:32 AM

Apparently the Trumper shops will use a Mach3 on your face if you let them!

**greenerock** · 07-22-2006, 05:52 AM

http://www.aidangillformen.com/shave/
This must be the article.

**rustyblade** · 07-22-2006, 07:19 AM

Notice how "the barber" in the pictures on the site is using his hands to apply lather, 'nuff said (as they say).

**english_barber** · 07-22-2006, 08:29 AM

Hello,

My understanding is that you are not allowed to use an open razor for shaving customers in New Orleans. You will however get a very cold Guinness with a shave at Aiden Gill, so it is not all bad!

Regards, Robert

**rschul2** · 07-22-2006, 09:39 AM

Shane,
I'm sorry that you feel that way, but I just don't understand why people choose to discuss things that don't know anything about. I can understand your wanting at least a DE shave, but as Robert has already mentioned, they do not feel comfortable giving straight razor shaves in New Orleans. Yes, they could give DE shaves, but I assure that deep down Mr. Gill does believe that Mach III's give the best consistent shaves commercially available.

Now I myself didn't have a perfect experience while I was there (if you want to know more just pm me and I'll be happy to discuss it with you), but I must say that the 30 minute shave was simply delightful. I would definitely go back!

Unfortunately, posts like the one you just made may prevent others from trying the experience. And while I would certainly encourage you to post on any experience that you may have had while dealing with Aidan Gill, any "experience" you have while simply reading a web site does not qualify you to discuss the joys or dislikes of that experience.

**NMMB** · 07-22-2006, 10:09 AM

Originally Posted by rschul2

...Unfortunately, posts like the one you just made may prevent others from trying the experience. And while I would certainly encourage you to post on any experience that you may have had while dealing with Aidan Gill, any "experience" you have while simply reading a web site does not qualify you to discuss the joys or dislikes of that experience.

Well said, Randy. I'm sure that many of us can share our dislike of the M3 as many of us (especially the relatively new DE/straight converts) have used them... but as Randy says, we have not experienced the shave and service offered by Mr. Gill and therefore cannot (or at least should not, IMO) make comments about the quality of his work.

**javyn** · 07-22-2006, 08:26 PM

A while back someone here (or maybe it was on SMF) had a horror story from that place. The woman who was shaving him cut him, didn't tell him, and everyone let him walk out the door with blood running down his cheek to his neck, without telling him. Didn't notice until he got to the car and it was already dried. Who was that???

**Shane** · 07-22-2006, 08:48 PM

I wasn't knocking any kind of experience or skill, I just took issue with the website's rhetoric. While I don't doubt the enjoyment of the experiences had there, some by members of B & B, my general opinion on the matter was that if I were to go there, I would not take kindly to a M3 being drug across my face. Sorry for my lack of clarity.

Shane

**rschul2** · 07-22-2006, 09:41 PM

Originally Posted by javyn

A while back someone here (or maybe it was on SMF) had a horror story from that place. The woman who was shaving him cut him, didn't tell him, and everyone let him walk out the door with blood running down his cheek to his neck, without telling him. Didn't notice until he got to the car and it was already dried. Who was that???

As a matter of fact, that was me. Hence the less than perfect experience. Here's the rub, the woman nicked a mole that I have on my cheek--not a huge deal as I've done it myself when I was not being careful, but the problem I had with the situation is that I stayed in the shop for a full half hour after the shave looking at products and neither the woman who gave the shave or the gentleman behind the counter had the gumption to tell me I was bleeding. After a month or so, after I had calmed down, I sent an email to Mr. Gill, and he responded with 2 additional free shaves by him and he assured me that he had never been so embarrassed in all of his life and that one of the empolyees was no longer working and that he would talk to the other employee. Clearly, the shave was not perfect, but the experience was amazing. And while I am not a huge fan of the MIII, I can assure you that in Mr. Gill's hands, he was able to get my face everybit as smooth as I can after 4-5 passes with my Futur wide open. I believe even when I originally posted the story I stated that it was a pleasant experience, but anyone wishing to try the shave should request Mr. Gill before they go.

**Ashe** · 07-26-2006, 01:10 PM

Randy, maybe a stupid question but in his reply, did he admit that he was aware of the fault they all made while keeping their mouth shut.

I've never been to a barber shop so I can't share any experience but if they would cut me, I would mind much less if they at least told me and gave you the chance to clean it up a bit instead of letting you walk around their store for some time while completely keeping their mouth shut.

It's always better to make a mistake and admit it than to act as if your nose bleeds.

**rschul2** · 07-27-2006, 01:29 AM

Ashe,
This happened almost a year ago, and to be honest I can't remember whether or not Mr. Gill addressed that point. It would be unfair of me to answer either way, but he was very apologetic about the incident. It's a nice place to visit, and I go with a friend of mine every so often. I've never had a bad experience since that initial visit a year ago.