The straight razor remains a favorite tool of barbers across the US. In addition to the rich history with straight razors, barbers love the precision and control this tool offers. When used in the hands of a professional barber, there is nothing that delivers a closer shave than a straight razor. To this very day, the straight razor is a symbol of the talent, artistry, and craft of barbering.
What Is a Straight Razor?
Unlike the cartridge razors most men use at home, straight razors have a solid blade, usually on a hinge with a handle on the other end. Straight razors are also occasionally referred to as a cut-throat razor or foldable razor. The blade must be periodically sharpened and is often aligned with a leather strap called a strop.
The predecessors of straight razors were originally created in ancient Egypt around the 4th Century BC, but the first version of the straight razor we know today was invented in 1680, in Sheffield, England. This was the primary method of shaving until the creation of safety razors with disposable blades in the late 1800s.
In recent years, straight razors have made a significant comeback, as people yearn for a high-quality shave, tradition, and authentic experiences.
Advantages of Shaving With a Straight Razor
There are several reasons barbers may use a straight razor instead of safety razors.
Precision and Control
A straight razor allows barbers to have an unparalleled amount of precise control. The sharp blade can create clean, sharp lines around the beard, neckline, hairline, and sideburns. This razor is ideal for detailing and shaping where accuracy is important.
Close Smooth Shaves
When done correctly, there is no razor that leaves a closer, smoother shave than a straight razor. The short handle enables the blade to move easily across the face, leaving no crevice untouched. A straight razor cuts the hair follicle at the surface of the skin, closer than a safety razor or store-bought razor. Clients love the straight razor shaving experience.
As a bonus, straight razors virtually eliminate skin irritation and ingrown hairs that other razors may cause.
Cost-Effective
Straight razors are made from high quality stainless steel and can last for years with proper maintenance. Safety razors require disposable blades, and that cost can accumulate over time. In the long run, a straight razor is more sustainable, eco-friendly, and cost-effective than cartridge or safety razors.
It Takes Skill and Mastery to Use
A straight razor requires skill, expertise, and mastery to use effectively. Not everyone can replicate this experience easily. Professional barbers have mastered the use of a straight razor and can give clients the best shave of their lives.
Traditional Experience
The straight razor shave is not merely about functionality, but also tradition, ritual, and nostalgia. The shaving lather, the straight razor shave, the hot towels, this all adds up to a luxurious experience that makes the clients feel good about themselves. This is an old-school tradition that is timeless.
Barbers Enjoy the Craftsmanship
It requires concentration to give a straight razor shave, so the act of shaving becomes a zen-like ritual that can be relaxing for some barbers. Shaving with a straight razor is an art, and the professional barber is also an artist.
What Clients Experience in the Barber Chair
In most barbershops, the shaving experience is an entire process. Usually, the face is prepared with a hot towel to open the pores and soften the facial hair. A lather of shaving soap is applied to the beard. The barber shaves the client with the straight razor, removing the facial hair in shard, precise lines, when the beard is being shaped. After the shave is complete, an aftershave lotion may be applied.
The client has a smooth shave, without skin irritation that can be a characteristic of shaves with safety razors. Because a straight razor gets hair cut in one pass, it also helps prevent any ingrown hairs that occur in traditional shaving.
You Can Become a Barber in About 30 Weeks
If you want to learn the skills it takes to become a professional barber, there’s a program in Sacramento that will teach you what you need to know. Paul Mitchell the School at Campus is a world-class barbering program, backed by some of the best instructors in Northern California. You’ll all the skills and techniques you need to start a career as a barber. It’s not easy, you’ll have to put in the work, but at the end, you’ll be a fully licensed barber by the State Board, and have the training that every barber needs. If this interests you, and you want more information, reach out to our Admissions team today!