Shave and a haircut, two-bits?

August 1, 2006 10:22 AM

Where to get a proper shave in the Boston area?

So the bf's birthday is coming up (the big 3-0), and he's expressed interest in getting a proper shave from a professional. Hot towels, straight razor, the works. He's a scruffy guy who doesn't shave regularly, and has never used anything but an electric razor. I've heard that having a professional shave can be a a great experience (true?) and thought it might be a nice treat for his birthday.

Being a shave-naive girl, I have no idea where to take him, or how much a good shave would cost. Would the local good old barber shop be okay, or should I be looking for somewhere a bit nicer? Not looking for anything too too fancy, but it is for his birthday...

I should mention that he's currently sporting something between a full beard and a goatee, and proabably would want to keep at least some of it. Would they be able to shape/shave around this?

Any advice, experiences or suggestions would be appreciated!

posted by sarahmelah to clothing, beauty, & fashion (11 comments total)

If I wanted a proper shave in Boston, I'd go to the LaFlamme Barber Shop in Cambridge, in Harvard Square. Great old school barber shop. You'll want to pick the right barber ahead of time and make an appointment. It's also a pretty no nonsense establishment; if you're thinking "pampering spa treatment", this isn't the place.
posted by Nelson at 10:36 AM on August 1, 2006

call first and ask if they still do this. a friend of mine went to a very-old-school barbershop recently and asked for a shave, and they said that they hadn't shaved anybody since 1957 and didn't do it anymore. so find out before you go.
posted by sergeant sandwich at 11:30 AM on August 1, 2006

I had a hot-lather shave from the Grooming Lounge in DC. It was pretty spa-like, and much fun, though I don't really see dropping $50 for it (it was a gift). Dunno about Boston-area places, though.
posted by MrMoonPie at 11:32 AM on August 1, 2006

Oh, and, interestingly, there were many hot towels, and lotions and oils and soaps, but no straight razor.
posted by MrMoonPie at 11:34 AM on August 1, 2006

Great old school barber shop. You'll want to pick the right barber ahead of time and make an appointment.

Huh? You're describing a salon. I've never heard of a barber shop that accepted appointments; and if one did, it certainly wouldn't be "old school."

I've gotten my hair cut at the Saxony Barber Shop since I was a kid. If you search Google and check what should be the top hit, you'll find a short article about the shop written in 2002 that will give you a clear idea of what to expect. Saxonville is part of Framingham; the shop is about ten minutes from the Natick Mall. They can easily do what you're describing — in fact, they do, every day — and it sounds like a nice birthday present.

(To answer your question: Yes, most any local barber shop should suffice; but I can personally recommend Saxony, especially for the guy who's looking for a "guy's experience.")
posted by cribcage at 11:36 AM on August 1, 2006

Definitely call around. I'd also look for some personal, first-hand accounts. I'm a big of a shavegeek (I shave with a double-edge razor, brush, cream, etc) and the guys on this forum say that nowadays, straight razor shaves at barber shops are sub-par quality, partially due to health restrictions (often, they have to use a straight with a disposable blade, as opposed to the ones that are honed and stropped).

Here's a review of the State Street Barber Shop by the guys at the above forum. Since he may not be looking for a baby's-butt-smooth shave and more just an all around fun experience, it sounds like it could be a good choice.
posted by rossination at 11:37 AM on August 1, 2006

The Art of Shaving and its Barber Spa at Copley Place.
posted by ericb at 12:17 PM on August 1, 2006

Check out the AoS 'Services Menu' here.
posted by ericb at 12:19 PM on August 1, 2006

I'm not sure if I have the right details, but I'm pretty sure that this is the place a guy I know mentioned recently:

State Street Hair Styling
294 Washington Street, Boston

He was really impressed - classic old-school barbershop with hot towels and straight razors. It's hidden away inside the first floor of an office building across from Borders Books.
posted by cadge at 1:19 PM on August 1, 2006

Be sure to (have him) mention to the barber that he only uses an electric. The skin takes a long time to adapt to switching between an electric (dry shave) and a regular disposable-blade razor, with bumps and irritation and glowing bright red -- that's why electric razors come with a 30-day money-back return policy. I'd hate for his birthday surprise to be a week of discomfort.
posted by mendel at 1:40 PM on August 1, 2006

I got a great straight razor shave in Central Square at a Portuguese place around the corner from some British bar. Went for the ba-ba-da-ba-ba two bits, and both were excellent. Cost about twelve bucks, though I did have to fight through broken English to describe the cut I wanted. Got a facial massage with it too.
posted by klangklangston at 3:28 PM on August 1, 2006