Back in 2021, I was still using a straight razor I bought in a pawn shop

Found that old thing in a Spokane pawn shop for $30, spent weeks learning to hone it on a cheap stone. Last month, a regular asked for a straight razor shave and I pulled it out, but he stopped me halfway through. Said he just wanted the look, not the real deal, and asked if I could just use a shavette for the photo. Three days ago, I had a kid come in who was genuinely excited to see the straight razor on my station, said his grandpa used one. Ended up giving him a quick lesson on stropping after his cut. Makes you think about what parts of the craft people really want to keep around. Anyone else notice younger clients getting curious about the old tools again?

3 comments

3 Comments

josephmurray22d ago

That bit about the kid being excited because of his grandpa hits home. I keep a couple vintage shears on my station just for that reason. When someone asks, I let them hold one, explain the weight difference, why they were built to last. It's not about using them on every client, it's about having the real thing there to start a conversation. That connection to the past is what some people are actually paying for, even if they get the modern cut.

sarah1985d ago

You're right about the connection, but I see it as a kind of insurance. That real straight razor on your station, even if you mostly use a shavette, proves you actually know the whole craft. It shows a client you could do it the hard way if you had to. That builds a different kind of trust than just having the right look.

casey90922d ago

Man idk, maybe it's just me but I feel like @josephmurray is overthinking it. It's just some old tools, not a history lesson. People like the look, they don't actually want the hassle.