Thread: Luda at The Art of Shaving, Madison Ave.

Last week, I found myself on Manhattan Island. Of course, with my wife's approval, I checked out all of the places for shaving supplies: Pasteur's, Cambridge and the Art of Shaving where I decided to treat myself to the purchase of one of the house branded TI razors. To my surprise, I found that this included a straight shaving lesson and a shave at the Madison Ave. salon.

Although I had hoped that I'd have my shave done by the rather famous Boris, I found that I had been assigned to Luda. Luda spent some time with me prior to my shave in order to demonstrate proper ways for holding the razor, and to correct my shaving angle. She then sat me down in the chair and applied an extremely hot towel followed by oil and finally hot lather from a lather machine. The shave proceeded with two passes. The first of course was with the grain. The second pass was after a second hot towel, more lather, and against and cross the grain. The finish of the shave was a cold towel treatment, and a balm.

Gentlemen, the entire process was an absolute treat. Luda Mirzakandova is a master barber in all respects. The shave was completed without irritation, shaving bumps, and was the closest of my life. I've improved my personal daily shaves from my grip on the razor and the angle of the blade. My stropping is better after watching Boris strop my purchased TI.

The razor used was an Art of Shaving replaceable blade unit. I have no idea what brand of blade was installed.

Its nice to see there are some happy endings to barber shaves. So many end in disaster.

My regular barber, an old Sicilian fellow, says that he does around 3 shaves per month. Luda said that she does 10 a day.

Her technique was superb, and her touch like a feather.

Joel

Wow, fantastic! I was beginning to think that there were almost no barbers capable of providing a good straight shave. Good to hear that you got a great shave!!!

It's probably a bit of a trip for most folks just to visit a barber, but when I lived in India, I went to the barber at least once a week for a shave. I lived in South Asia for four years, and I don't think blood was drawn once (I wish my own record were as good!). And you can't beat the price -- it was five rupees for a haircut and shave, which is about five cents.

No lessons, though -- and no hot towels!

All the barbers used the replaceable razor thingies that used half a double edge razor blade.

It's what got me into straight shaving.

cheers,

cass