Comments on: Shave and a haircut, two-bits?

Question: Shave and a haircut, two-bits?

sarahmelah — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 10:22:02 -0800

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!

By: Nelson

Nelson — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 10:36:16 -0800

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.

By: sergeant sandwich

sergeant sandwich — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 11:30:06 -0800

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.

By: MrMoonPie

MrMoonPie — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 11:32:50 -0800

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.

By: MrMoonPie

MrMoonPie — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 11:34:03 -0800

Oh, and, interestingly, there were many hot towels, and lotions and oils and soaps, but no straight razor.

By: cribcage

cribcage — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 11:36:50 -0800

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.")

By: rossination

rossination — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 11:37:10 -0800

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.

By: ericb

ericb — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 12:17:05 -0800

The Art of Shaving and its Barber Spa at Copley Place.

By: ericb

ericb — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 12:19:18 -0800

Check out the AoS 'Services Menu' here.

By: cadge

cadge — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 13:19:29 -0800

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.

By: mendel

mendel — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 13:40:25 -0800

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.

By: klangklangston

klangklangston — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 15:28:22 -0800

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.