Barber's Notches.

Has anyone considered that the notches may have been used to store the blades between uses? Like sitting the blade in a stand on the notch I mean. It would avoid warping the scales over time.

Also, one I haven't heard yet is blade flexing. The notch, even a small one, as has been theorized as being an early example would allow for a lot more flex relatively than otherwise.

Nope, never heard of it as storage use

And I can't imagine that a notch on a wedge/near wedge would allow for flex.

Interesting theory though.

I honestly think they were just used to detail around facial hair and the ears.

They are purely there for the sake of conversation.

They serve no useful functional purpose

Seraphim said:

They are purely there for the sake of conversation.

They serve no useful functional purpose

Click to expand...

I agree. I think someone decades ago had the foresight to invent them so that we'd have something to discuss, besides honing methods . . . .

Must have had some reason for existing.

I heard somewhere that it was used for ear and nose hairs or to bypass a facial mole.
Who knows...barbers were also considered medical men in years gone by so might have had a medial use.

I think it's just aesthetic. But I have seen many discussions and no definitive conclusion

Usascot said:

Must have had some reason for existing.

I heard somewhere that it was used for ear and nose hairs or to bypass a facial mole.
Who knows...barbers were also considered medical men in years gone by so might have had a medial use.

Click to expand...

Doesn't make sense for ears, perhaps nose, but definitely not facial moles...

I think razor makers were looking for ways to differentiate from others.

They were used so that a barber could open the razor with one hand using their pocket to grab the notch.

Did it occurred to someone to ask an actual barber?
There might be some barbers old enough to know that are still alive.

Barber notches were invented to go along with the newly coined word, "kewl".

Where did the term come from? I don't recall ever seeing it in older manuals.

From what I understand the notch was a place to put their finger to keep it from slipping off when using two hands on detail work and against the grain on upper lip.

bjhubb said:

From what I understand the notch was a place to put their finger to keep it from slipping off when using two hands on detail work and against the grain on upper lip.

Click to expand...

You know, that actually makes sense.

Spot on.

scag315 said:

I honestly think they were just used to detail around facial hair and the ears.

Click to expand...

bjhubb said:

From what I understand the notch was a place to put their finger to keep it from slipping off when using two hands on detail work and against the grain on upper lip.

Click to expand...

Agreed, I second that reason for the notch

I have the heard the opening one handed on pocket reason several times before.

Mtn Man said:

I have the heard the opening one handed on pocket reason several times before.

Click to expand...

That's because that is what it's for. I know everybody seems to have their own opinion, but this was told to me by my barber 35 years ago. He was in his 60's then.

One of my old barbers told me my beard would grow in heavier if I shaved more often.
So, well - not everything barbers said was always accurate.
Personally, I'm not seeing the 'one handed' thing, but anythingispossible I guess.

I believe they are there so you can use a straight razor as a pry bar, for removing nails and such. Also doubles as a bottlecap remover or wire stripper. Truly the manliest of instruments.