Modern barber Shop Shaves

Within 5 miles of my home 6-7 barbershops offer face shaves ranging from 30-70 dollars.  I can honestly tell you none are worth it. 

That being said, a barber friend asked me for a cut and shave trade 2 Fridays ago.  I am not a barber, but I can cut hair and shave someone.  So we exchanged haircuts and shaves over 2 hours.  It was nice… but let’s say this, i didn’t enjoy it like I thought I would.  Before this my last shave was in 
Italy 2019, the barber was fantastic.  He shaved me daily for 7 Euros (5 and a tip of 2) in Milano.  

So for 40 dollars I will not pay for a shave in Chester County, PA.

I"ve tried several shops in different locations over the years and have always been disappointed in the results. As stated, shavettes used by fellows who don't seem to know how. I do much better at home. Not gonna waste any more time/money any more.

Although barbers are allowed to use a shavette, real straight razors are not permitted in many states.

I'm under the impression that most barbers would not/cannot use real straight razors because they (the razors, not the barber) would have to be sterilized in an autoclave, which would be expensive to buy and operate, slow for turnaround, and damaging to any non-metallic scales.

My barber uses a shavette, but I've never had him give me one. It seems to be something his customers might get just once for "the experience" (like bungee jumping?), rather than the shave.

I do recall though, that in the '70s, all the hip unisex hair places started offering "razor cut" styling, where the majority of hair removal was done with a straight instead of scissors. I don't know what the rules for those razors were. They probably got away with just dropping them into the Barbasol bottle.

My barbershop in NJ does shaves - female barber.  She uses a shavette, hot towels, steam machine, etc.  I don’t go in for shaves very often but I just say,  best shave I’ve ever had.

and where is this barber located? I'm over in Pennsylvania, just outside of Philadelphia.

Millburn, NJ - Presidents Club Barber Shop

If you’re in NYC, there are quite a few old school barbers where you can get a shave.

Three years ago I went to my barber for a haircut and she used a shavette to trim around my ears and cut my ear. I never did that again. Now I cut my own hair (learning process but it can be done). Most barbers in Florida don't straight razor shave anymore. Too risky.

Millburn, NJ - Presidents Club Barber Shop

If you’re in NYC, there are quite a few old school barbers where you can get a shave.

ah..closer to NY than Philly!

I love a "razor cut" hair cut. It leaves the ends of the hairs tapered rather than chopped off. For about 40 years, my wife gave me my haircuts using a shavette. However, as she got older, arthritis in her hands and knee issues made the process difficult for her, so I had to find a barber to cut my hair. He does most of the trimming with scissors at my request, but then finishes with clippers. 

He shaves the back of my neck with lather from a lather machine and a disposable razor which he then dips in Barbasol. He has a high quality shavette, but purchased the disposable razors for home use and did not like them, so he brought them to the shop. I would never want him to shave my face, even if he still offered shaves. I can do a far better job at home with better hardware and software.