Shaving with a Straight Edge Razor

Tomtal · Nov 1st, 2006, 04:20

A friend of mine speaks with great pleasure of how he used to go down to the bazaar in Moga, Punjab for his morning shave. He says there's nothing like being shaved by a skilled hand with a straight edge razor. How common is this today and how safe (sterility) is it?
Tom

Shark · Nov 1st, 2006, 05:00

I never take a shaving kit to India. I too look forward to going to the barber shop every second day for a shave and a head massage. The razor looks like a cut-throat razor, but it actually has a disposable razor. Barbers are very aware of how important it is to use clean equipment. The barbers always unpack a new blade from its wrapping in front of you. If they don't then insist you see the new blade going into the razor holder. By the way they are very common and very inexpensive. Barber shops are a great place to hang and listen to Hindi pop music.

ChrisJ · Nov 1st, 2006, 05:39

I couldn't agree more.

Barbers are fantastic!

capt_mahajan · Nov 1st, 2006, 08:21

they will even use a disposable razor for maybe ten rupees extra.

zzzehar · Nov 1st, 2006, 08:36

the same cut throat razor is used where ever I go to get the shave done. they change the razor after every shave and dip it in dettol/savlon to sterlize it. the shell of the razor is properly cleaned after every shave. been getting it done twice a week for the last 5-6 years (earlier I used to wear a turban with a beard), no problems till date. gives the most effective and accurate shave.

gautam · Nov 1st, 2006, 11:18

dats right zzhear, razor shave is jsut awsome.I wish i could bring my own razor and blade for the barber everytime i visit em

cyberhippie · Nov 1st, 2006, 11:29

I'm quite a fan too but do we really have to converse just as he's holding the blade to my throat

shilpaks · Nov 1st, 2006, 11:32

i have always heard abt the head massages these barbers give, and am dying to try one of them, do u think ppl there will think im mad if i walk into one of the barber shops for a massage lolol

Nick-H · Nov 1st, 2006, 11:33

I've been an electric shaver all my beard-growing life. Any kind of blade on my skin feels horrible.

But my experience in both UK and here in India is that most babers will use a blade to 'finish off' at the side and back of the neck, so even if you don't go for the shave you still get the blade.

And it is, in my experience, a new one every time.

But I remember the time (pre-aids, I'd guess) when a real cut-throat razor with a big, steel hollow-ground blade would be honed on a leather strop ---same blade, same strop, for everyone.

cyberhippie · Nov 1st, 2006, 11:38

I think it was Hep that finished those off Nick,

No shilpaks just go into your nearest barber and ask for a head massage no worries it's a perfectly normal thing to do.

Of course the barber will try to sell you a haircut and shave too.

I had one hilarious visit to a barber where I was there for an hour and twenty minutes, whilst the young guys in the shop tried out their new range of body produscts on me!! Face cleansers moisturisers............I only went for a quick trim!!!

capt_mahajan · Nov 1st, 2006, 12:11

and I always have to tell those guys not especially clip the grey hair.

those are earned.

Nick-H · Nov 1st, 2006, 14:15

I don't think that Shilpaks will be too interested in the shave!

Barbers shops are very much a male preserve... but I'm sure you'll get your head massage at a beauty parlour!

cyberhippie · Nov 1st, 2006, 14:21

Whoops, I'm always doing that not paying attention to gender on the forums, anyway forget the shave and yeah better find a beauty salon for that head massage, or take a male friend to a barbers shop no problem!!

freenote · Nov 1st, 2006, 15:10

i am never to sure of the head massage bit.It's happened to me a couple of times now .The barber gets you nice and relaxed so that you don't notice one hand going on to your chin and the other to the top of the head.your head will be moved a bit (wobbled ) and then WHAM

you are looking backwards ,you are just getting over that and the swine does it again,and you are looking backwards over the other shoulder. It's a manipulation designed to free the top vertebrae and it works but in the hands of an untrained manipulator i am not sure it is safe!!

Nick-H · Nov 1st, 2006, 16:27

My barber always gives a quick masssage, but there it is there as an item on the price list, so I guess that is more comprehensive.

Having my head yanked back and my nose-hairs trimmed took me by surprise last time

That, they say is a sign of age, when the barber spends as mcuh time on the hairs growing from nose and ears as he does on your head. And trims the eyebrows

.

Nov 1st, 2006, 04:20	#1
Tomtal Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Maine, USA Posts: 29	Shaving with a Straight Edge Razor A friend of mine speaks with great pleasure of how he used to go down to the bazaar in Moga, Punjab for his morning shave. He says there's nothing like being shaved by a skilled hand with a straight edge razor. How common is this today and how safe (sterility) is it? Tom

Nov 1st, 2006, 11:18	#6
gautam Super Mode Join Date: May 2005 Location: Chandigarh - Blore NON-STOP Posts: 708	dats right zzhear, razor shave is jsut awsome.I wish i could bring my own razor and blade for the barber everytime i visit em __________________ "Your thoughts could be your prison" My pics on flickr Kerela backwaters - by beach

Nov 1st, 2006, 11:33	#9
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,692	I've been an electric shaver all my beard-growing life. Any kind of blade on my skin feels horrible. But my experience in both UK and here in India is that most babers will use a blade to 'finish off' at the side and back of the neck, so even if you don't go for the shave you still get the blade. And it is, in my experience, a new one every time. But I remember the time (pre-aids, I'd guess) when a real cut-throat razor with a big, steel hollow-ground blade would be honed on a leather strop ---same blade, same strop, for everyone. __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

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Nov 1st, 2006, 05:00	#2
Shark Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Australia, New South Wales Posts: 160	I never take a shaving kit to India. I too look forward to going to the barber shop every second day for a shave and a head massage. The razor looks like a cut-throat razor, but it actually has a disposable razor. Barbers are very aware of how important it is to use clean equipment. The barbers always unpack a new blade from its wrapping in front of you. If they don't then insist you see the new blade going into the razor holder. By the way they are very common and very inexpensive. Barber shops are a great place to hang and listen to Hindi pop music.

Nov 1st, 2006, 05:39	#3
ChrisJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: UK Posts: 186	I couldn't agree more. Barbers are fantastic!

Nov 1st, 2006, 08:21	#4
capt_mahajan (in charge of navel affairs) Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 10,509	they will even use a disposable razor for maybe ten rupees extra.

Nov 1st, 2006, 08:36	#5
zzzehar Account Closed Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: I see a Woman on Top - Feels Like Heaven :-) Posts: 370	the same cut throat razor is used where ever I go to get the shave done. they change the razor after every shave and dip it in dettol/savlon to sterlize it. the shell of the razor is properly cleaned after every shave. been getting it done twice a week for the last 5-6 years (earlier I used to wear a turban with a beard), no problems till date. gives the most effective and accurate shave.

Nov 1st, 2006, 11:29	#7
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,012	I'm quite a fan too but do we really have to converse just as he's holding the blade to my throat

Nov 1st, 2006, 11:32	#8
shilpaks Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 265	i have always heard abt the head massages these barbers give, and am dying to try one of them, do u think ppl there will think im mad if i walk into one of the barber shops for a massage lolol

Nov 1st, 2006, 11:38	#10
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,012	I think it was Hep that finished those off Nick, No shilpaks just go into your nearest barber and ask for a head massage no worries it's a perfectly normal thing to do. Of course the barber will try to sell you a haircut and shave too. I had one hilarious visit to a barber where I was there for an hour and twenty minutes, whilst the young guys in the shop tried out their new range of body produscts on me!! Face cleansers moisturisers............I only went for a quick trim!!!

Nov 1st, 2006, 12:11	#11
capt_mahajan (in charge of navel affairs) Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 10,509	and I always have to tell those guys not especially clip the grey hair. those are earned.

Nov 1st, 2006, 14:15	#12
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,692	I don't think that Shilpaks will be too interested in the shave! Barbers shops are very much a male preserve... but I'm sure you'll get your head massage at a beauty parlour!

Nov 1st, 2006, 14:21	#13
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,012	Whoops, I'm always doing that not paying attention to gender on the forums, anyway forget the shave and yeah better find a beauty salon for that head massage, or take a male friend to a barbers shop no problem!!

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Nov 1st, 2006, 15:10	#14
freenote senior member refused Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: cornwall UK Posts: 1,548	i am never to sure of the head massage bit.It's happened to me a couple of times now .The barber gets you nice and relaxed so that you don't notice one hand going on to your chin and the other to the top of the head.your head will be moved a bit (wobbled ) and then WHAM you are looking backwards ,you are just getting over that and the swine does it again,and you are looking backwards over the other shoulder. It's a manipulation designed to free the top vertebrae and it works but in the hands of an untrained manipulator i am not sure it is safe!!

Nov 1st, 2006, 16:27	#15
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,692	My barber always gives a quick masssage, but there it is there as an item on the price list, so I guess that is more comprehensive. Having my head yanked back and my nose-hairs trimmed took me by surprise last time That, they say is a sign of age, when the barber spends as mcuh time on the hairs growing from nose and ears as he does on your head. And trims the eyebrows .