Good NYC barber?

November 17, 2006 11:16 AM

Good NYC barber? Not looking to pay salon prices. Bonus for old-school atmosphere and straight razor cut (no electric buzz cut, please).
posted by timnyc to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (18 answers total)

Best answer: Dr. Mike, on 6th st and 3rd ave.

Cuts DeNiro's hair, and is pretty cheap. Never had a better haircut in my life. The atmosphere is not old school at all though. The place looks kinda cheesy, and is right next to where Finyl Vinyl used to be (is?). But Dr. Mike is great. Ask for him specifically.
posted by Freen at 11:22 AM on November 17, 2006

I got a decent haircut from an old school guy at the Hair Box at 203 Spring St. I think the cut was around $15 or $20.
posted by dcjd at 11:23 AM on November 17, 2006

Dude -- this is the real deal: Astor Place Hairstylists

People *swear* by this place. I got the best haircut I've had in years for $17, and not a generic cut either. It was stylish and chunky, just how I like it.

Don't let the "Hairstylists" fool you -- this is completely old school.

I don't know for sure about the straight razor, but surely one of their many stylists uses one.
posted by o2b at 11:30 AM on November 17, 2006

For atmosphere, I'd say chelsea barbershop. 23rd st. and 10th ave.

They've got straight razors and warm shaving cream there.
posted by Freen at 11:44 AM on November 17, 2006

Try the Paul Mole barbershop. Been around a long time. Get a shave there, too.
posted by LeisureGuy at 12:37 PM on November 17, 2006

I thought most barbers stopped using straight razors due to fear of spreading HIV and other blood borne illnesses, and that in fact their use was outlawed in many places?
posted by caddis at 12:52 PM on November 17, 2006

There's an excellent and cheap no-name barber shop (3 chairs) on the north side of Christopher Street between Hudson and Bleecker.
posted by blaneyphoto at 1:01 PM on November 17, 2006

I thought most barbers stopped using straight razors due to fear of spreading HIV and other blood borne illnesses, and that in fact their use was outlawed in many places?

I think timnyc was asking for a place that uses a straight-razor for the hair on his head, not on his face.

I go to Astor Place Hair and get a decent cut there (not the best in my life, but certainly the best for under $20 including tip). I'm sure they have a stylist who will straight-razor anything you want.
posted by falconred at 1:10 PM on November 17, 2006

The traditional use of a straight razor is still a shave, it's just on the back of your neck and your sideburns. Is there some other use where the razor fails to contact the skin?
posted by caddis at 1:17 PM on November 17, 2006

Response by poster: I think timnyc was asking for a place that uses a straight-razor for the hair on his head, not on his face.

That's right. And thanks to all for all the great suggestions!
posted by timnyc at 1:30 PM on November 17, 2006

Is there some other use where the razor fails to contact the skin?

Yeah, I haven't seen it an old school barber shop, but lots of salon stylist use straight razors to cut the hair. When the stylist cuts my hair, she'll hold up my hair just like she were going to use scissors, but instead she chops the hair with the razor. I guess it results in a more textured, choppy look.
posted by mullacc at 2:08 PM on November 17, 2006

There's also 3 Aces in Hell's Kitchen. 9th ave between 45th and 46th, i believe.
posted by condour75 at 2:27 PM on November 17, 2006

Astor Place Hair has exactly the atmosphere you're looking for.
posted by anildash at 3:33 PM on November 17, 2006

There's a little hole in the wall just west of W Broadway on either Reade or Chambers, north side of the street. No "atmosphere" at all, just a cheapo old-style barbershop run by Uzbeks. They have razors, and know how to use them.

I think I paid $15 for a haircut and a shave.
posted by Brave New Meatbomb at 6:10 PM on November 17, 2006

Sorry, just east of W Broadway. Almost on the corner.
posted by Brave New Meatbomb at 6:10 PM on November 17, 2006

best account ever of where not to go.
posted by lorimer at 7:04 AM on November 18, 2006

There's a great old-fashioned Italian-run place on 88th just off 3rd (between 3rd and Lex) that I went to for years when I lived in the neighborhood. Professional, friendly and cheap; the guy who cut my hair also cut the hair of the then-Parks Commissioner, and loved to brag about it.
posted by Bromius at 12:40 PM on November 18, 2006

Response by poster: I got a good cut from Dr. Mike. $15 with tip. Thanks, Freen!
posted by timnyc at 9:09 AM on November 20, 2006