Thread: Helping to train new barbers

I'm not sure if this is the correct forum for this post, so mods please move it if necessary.
I took advantage of the offer of a free shave yesterday, as a local hairdresser has an apprentice who needs the experience.
What the heck, he cut my hair for free last week!!
He is a first year and I was his first full face shave.
Not that I'm an expert, as I've only been using a straight for about 9 months however, I figured that I have more experience than he does.
The health and safety rules here only allow him to use a shavette, even if I bring my own in for him to use.
Although it was not as BBS as I do for myself, it was still a DFS and I helped him with some tips that I use to help him learn his trade.
The supervising hairdresser also chimed in with some advice as well.
FWIW I feel that we should all try to pass on what we have learned to the younger generations.
Maybe there are apprentices in your area that could benefit from your experience in straight shaving.
Just a thought.
I also steered him towards SRP to gain more knowledge in this facet of his chosen profession.
Maybe he'll even try it on himself after seeing how much we enjoy the experience of a good straight shave.
Cheers,
Geoff
PS It was my first straight shave from someone else too!!!

SRP is the best resource for everything related to straight razors, for both shavers and professional barbers alike. I would highly recommend that barbers with even a passing interest in SR's stop by and learn all they can. God knows the few who have shaved me could use the lessons.....

Originally Posted by Havachat45

I'm not sure if this is the correct forum for this post, so mods please move it if necessary.
I took advantage of the offer of a free shave yesterday, as a local hairdresser has an apprentice who needs the experience.
What the heck, he cut my hair for free last week!!
He is a first year and I was was his first full face shave.
Not that I'm an expert, as I've only been using a straight for about 9 months however, I figured that I have more experience than he does.
The health and safety rules here only allow him to use a shavette, even if I bring my own in for him to use.
Although it was not as BBS as I do for myself, it was still a DFS and I helped him with some tips that I use to help him learn his trade.
The supervising hairdresser also chimed in with some advice as well.
FWIW I feel that we should all try to pass on what we have learned to the younger generations.
Maybe there are apprentices in your area that could benefit from your experience in straight shaving.
Just a thought.
I also steered him towards SRP to gain more knowledge in this facet of his chosen profession.
Maybe he'll even try it on himself after seeing how much we enjoy the experience of a good straight shave.
Cheers,
Geoff
PS It was my first straight shave from someone else too!!!

Geoff,
Hats off to you for helping out the apprentice!! You mentioned about teaching the younger generation straight razor shaving. My 22 year old son wants nothing to do with straight razor shaving, he just wants to get the bathroom and the heck out. He's conscious of his appearance being a police officer, but he doesn't have the patience for something like straight razor shaving. Well, he knows I am always there for him. My wife is a big fan of mine when it comes to straight razor shaving, she thinks it's really cool and likes how my face feels.

I have spent most of my working life in an instructional capacity so I know how valuable it is for trainees to get real life experience.
That's why I help out where I can.

Originally Posted by Havachat45

I have spent most of my working life in an instructional capacity so I know how valuable it is for trainees to get real life experience.
That's why I help out where I can.

Well you're still talking, so I assume you didn't use your instructors voice on him, otherwise he might have flinched and cut ya bloody throat!


Mick

Props to you, you certainly have more faith in people than I do. Not a snowball's chance in you know where that I'd let someone do their first straight shave on my face.

I don't know about now but years ago Barber Schools were open to the public to go in and get a shave and haircut from the students at a greatly reduced price. They had no shortage of customers too.

Geoff, I would like to thank you in your efforts to boost the esteem of the apprentice. As a Professional Hairdresser myself, I remember many years ago, the gracious kindness of people, like yourself, who could tell I was new to the industry. You're a good man Charlie Brown.