how sanitary are barber shop shaves? how sanitary are the brushes? is the same one used all day on everyones face? what about the alum block or whatever is used to stop bleeding are they using the same one on you/me that they just used to stop the other guys bleeding? how does all this work? out of curiosity id like to know.
I think the answers may surprise you. Generally speaking, barber shop shaves are very sanitary BECAUSE: 1) They don't use brushes anymore (brushless cream or a hot lather machine instead) 2) They don't use alum blocks anymore (liquid alum is okay, but nothing that has touched someone else's face) 3) Most of them don't use traditional straight razors, either. Most use a shavette, of some sort, which looks like a straight razor, but takes a DE blade. The barber will put a new blade in for each shave. These are guidelines put in place by state regulating bodies that tend to be the same from state to state. Overseas, the regulations might be different. They might still be able to use brushes in other countries, but I would be leery of any barber who wanted to use a communal brush on me. I've heard rumors that actual straight razors might be okay, but they would have to be either autoclaved or soaked in barbicide for a particular length of time to make sure that all germs are dead.
so id have to go to a 3rd world country to get a traditional shave, no thanks. i can shave with lather and a Mach3 myself. i just dont have a towel steamer :happy102
My last barber shop shave with a brush and a real straight was in Turkey, and was done with Arko soap--fantastic!
where do you find traditional barber shop services like this. I never seen advertise. I guess i might have to call around.
Check around. Baltimore has 3 places that I know of. I've never been, and I'm not quite sure of their procedures. They're also quite expensive, ranging from $25 - $45. So much for, "Shave and a haircut, two bits!"
Does anyone know where to go in the Atlanta Georgia area (I live in Avondale Estates / part of Decatur) other than The Art of Shaving in Lenox Mall ? Thanks
I've heard some places have small shops that are less expensive (~$10). Typically one old guy who's been doing shaves for 50 years. I've never tried one, but I've only heard good stories from these places. Then again, the people who've told me the stories have likely been getting occasional shaves for 30+ years from the same person. Talking about it makes me want to try one.
There are a number of places in DC too. I haven't actually called or visited, so I don't know if the use a shavette or a real straight. I searched Switchboard to see if I could find a place. The Post mentioned Walls Barbershop on 15th St., NW near the Hay-Adams Hotel where the Obama family is staying. They said it would be nice if the President-elect stopped in for a shave and a cut.
Hey that barbershop is right down the street from where I work. I might have to stop by one day and get a haircut and a straight shave
I think the Secret Service would have a cow letting someone get that close to him with a straight razor, shavette or otherwise!
