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Tried a vintage straight razor on a regular client and it went sideways
Honestly, I've been cutting hair for about fifteen years now and I'm always looking for old ways to do things better. I picked up a restored 1950s straight razor at a flea market in Cleveland, thinking it would add a classic touch to my hot towel shaves. Last week, I decided to use it on Mr. Henderson, a guy who's been coming in for a decade. I prepped his face like usual, but the blade just didn't glide the same as my modern ones. It kept catching, and I ended up giving him two small nicks, which never happens. Tbh, I felt terrible. I learned that just because a tool is cool and old doesn't mean it's right for the job without a ton of practice on my own skin first. Has anyone else had a bad time switching to vintage gear they weren't fully ready for?
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colemartinez5mo ago
Feel for you, that sounds like a tough spot to be in. @the_seth is right about old tools needing extra care, but it's easy to forget that when you just want to try something cool. Those vintage blades can have a totally different feel, and even a perfect edge might not act like your daily driver.
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miles6926mo ago
Ouch, that's rough. Vintage steel can have a different temper and edge than modern stuff. You gotta strop it way more, like 50 passes on leather before even trying it on skin. Test it on a balloon first, if it pops easy you're good.
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