Up until the mid 1940s, barbershops were experiencing their golden-age. After this, barbershops began to decline in popularity.
The beginning of the decline actually started when Gillette first marketed the safety razor at the turn of the century. As barbershops were frequented often for the purposes of getting a shave, the safety razor made shaving at home a practical alternative. It did not take long for the barbershop to be the place for mens haircutting only, and barber shaves became a special occasion rather than a habit. Technology spurred the change.
However, with the resurgence in men’s quality grooming, the barbershop is getting new life breathed back into it. Men are starting to remember that individuality is important, and it all starts with men’s haircutting and styling.
- Although hair cutting is important, there is more to a barbershop than just that. Certainly, a good barber knows how to cut a man’s hair; unfortunately, many of the stylists who work in uni-sex salons do not know how to handle a man’s haircut. A barber has specific training in how to handle clippers and scissors, the tools of the trade. Stylists are trained to work mostly on women’s hair; they become very proficient at styling, coloring and perming hair, but a man does not need any of that, he needs a good haircut that will last for more than a week before it looks unattractive.
- Men’s haircutting in a barbershop is also conducive to good old-fashioned chatting about men’s issues. Men are usually far outnumbered by women in a salon setting, including the stylists. It may be awkward to attempt to strike up idle chat with a woman who may also feel awkward. Barbershops, on the other hand, are full of men; men can talk about just about anything with no problem, even sensitive subjects. Sport and politics seem to be two favorite subjects, and often the conversation goes well beyond just you and your barber; other men will chip in as well. It’s a good break from the grind.
- Even though Gillette nearly killed off getting a shave from the barber, barbers still are trained to give a shave, and what a wonderful experience it is. When the barber is finished with the mens haircutting task, he sets about wrapping your face in a hot towel to clean and open the pores. After the application of another couple of hot towels, the barber will massage cocoa butter in the beard to soften it and then apply a warm lather. The lather is mixed from a solid block, the real stuff. The barber then proceeds to shave with a single edged razor, often called a cut-throat. It’s not difficult to a skilled barber and you will end up with the closest shave you may ever have. A last hot towel, a face massage and soothing cream and any man would feel completely rejuvenated.
Yes, the day of the barbershop is returning and the world is a better place for it. Going to a barber simply makes a man feel like a man…and is that so wrong?
