Hot towel shave

smash

I was getting a hair cut the other day and was watching a guy get it done. I was thinking about booking in but the barber was shaving against the grain. It this normal with a hot towel shave?

doopa

smash wrote: »

I was getting a hair cut the other day and was watching a guy get it done. I was thinking about booking in but the barber was shaving against the grain. It this normal with a hot towel shave?

Not necessarily, I would say its normal to go with the grain and maybe across at certain parts.

princess-lala

There are certain parts of the face you go against the grain! Could be the razor he was using either!

smash

princess-lala wrote: »

There are certain parts of the face you go against the grain! Could be the razor he was using either!

He was going against the grain on the neck, which is where the skin is very sensitive.

MadsL

Standard straight (cutthroat) razor shave is

1st pass with the grain
2nd pass across the grain
3rd pass (and the origin of the phrase 'a close shave') is against the grain.

I often shave the left side of my neck with a straight against the grain (upwards in the case of my neck) as a first pass and get no irritation because a. My razor is usually as sharp as I can get it, and b. Because I'm crap at using my left hand and so 'cheat'. Also I have been shaving with a straight for quite a while (well worth trying folks, no more irritation or ingrown hairs) - new shavers or those getting a shave from someone else for the first time can get some irritation. Barbers used to ask if a close shave was required as it really can irritate; if you are sensitive ask him not to make a 'close shave' 3rd pass against the grain. I rarely shave myself that close.

Come over to the Facial Hair and Hats forum for more shaving related words

princess-lala

smash wrote: »

He was going against the grain on the neck, which is where the skin is very sensitive.

Yep thats right it is but the hair is twice as coarse there as it is on the face.

smash

princess-lala wrote: »

Yep thats right it is but the hair is twice as coarse there as it is on the face.

feels the same to me

princess-lala

smash wrote: »

fells the same to me

It grows in all different directions too. So there is no right/wrong way to shave!

--Kaiser--

Had one of these recently, don't think I'll be doing it again. The blade wasn't as sharp as I'd have imagined, wasn't as comfortable as a shave with a safety razor and all 3 of us had a small nick somewhere on our face afterwards. It also took aaaaaaages and they end it with a weird massage, to which I reacted with a mixture of tenseness and hilarity (I was reminded of the Bugs Bunny sketch The Rabbit of Seville)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55G7T8VdWEs

FewFew

Had one a few months back, and it was just as Mads described. Was quite nice, mainly due to the hot towel effect and the time taken, but yeah, quite a few nicks (nothing too noticeable on my face, but the two lads I was with had a few obvious ones.)

But yeah, I'd go back for another one, it's a really nice pampering experience. Came bundled with a cigar, brandy and a quick massage (though that was just because the barber I got was also the masseuse) Really nice though.

lechiennoir

Got one of these done in The Grooming Rooms in Dublin not so long ago. Wonderful experience, didn't have a single cut afterward and left very relaxed. Would highly recommend.

Strawberry Fields

Had one done in town, went in with a massive beard I really wasn't arsed doing myself, not a scratch and very relaxing.

Boskowski

I'd say it depends on where you're going but while mostly a pleasant experience - a bit of pampering for guys - I never found the shave to be a very good one. And even if done down the grain I always found my skin is not reacting very well to it.
It's kinda nice but I'm staying away from it now.

cul-2008

Got one of these done in Limerick a short while back - never again! She took chunks of skin off my chin and was shaving with very little cream.

That said, it was super smooth!

MadsL

cul-2008 wrote: »

Got one of these done in Limerick a short while back - never again! She took chunks of skin off my chin and was shaving with very little cream.

That said, it was super smooth!

And you paid her? Chunks of skin and little cream means she is really untrained.

Gillo

If you get it done properly its a moment of bliss, it'd recommend the Warldorf in Dublin.
I normally use a double edge when shaving at home but can't beat a decent hot towel shave.

MadsL

Gillo wrote: »

If you get it done properly its a moment of bliss, it'd recommend the Warldorf in Dublin.
I normally use a double edge when shaving at home but can't beat a decent hot towel shave.

Waldorf.

http://www.waldorfbarbers.com/

Ask for Liam

Do take the hair tonic rub when offered.

Try the veal, it's excellent. I'm here all week. Don't forget to tip your waitress. Thank you, Goodnight.

Offy

I shared a house with a Turkish barber when I was younger. He introduced me to the hot towel shave. It was complete bliss. Every so often when I feel like treating myself I have one. I never once have been nicked but in saying that I have shaved against the grain for over twenty years now.

deadman1972

Ok where does one get a straight edge razor these days and how to sharpen it?

Panthro

Might be better suited here, moved from TGC.

hitemfrank

deadman1972 wrote: »

Ok where does one get a straight edge razor these days and how to sharpen it?

You can get them from shaving.ie but they will need to be properly sharpened before you can use them.

You could also order them from elsewhere that sell them already shapened. The Superior Shave hone the razors they sell before sending them out (it's stated if you need to pay for this as an extra if necessary). Straight Razor Designs also hones the straight razors they sell.


You will also need a strop to keep the edge in decent shape between shaves. Even then, that will only keep the edge in order for so long before the edge will need a bit of a touch up to make it shave sharp again.

There are a few options available for the maintenance of the razor to keep it sharp. If you want more info I should be able to help out.


Also, how to sharpen is quite straight forward but it does take time and practice to get it right. It's a fairly eaasy skill to pick up if you put some time into it.