The barber's lather

So my nephew, a very bright fellow, is still a shaving cream in the can kind of guy, and, though English, with access to the three Ts and all the wonderful soaps in Europe, views my obsession with a brush and puck as quaint. Recently he pointed out that on the rare occasions he has treated himself to a barber shop shave, the barber used ready-made lather from a machine. I said yes, I've had that experience as well but it's probably not only for hygienic reasons but also because the prep is so thorough there is no need for a first-rate shaving soap whipped into a lather with a brush.

But he got me thinking. Is the barbershop lather a better quality than what comes out of a can? Do many barbers still use the puck and brush? There is a youtube video of a barber near Philly using Proraso red applied to the face with his hands, but mostly I see the hot lather machines.

If you want to see real Barber's lather you have to look for Turkish barber, Indian barber, Italian barber (there is one in Mastro Livi channel).

And you will realize why it's called wet shaving!! One example here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDSWB4UFNFI

The stretching technique alone makes this video worth watching.

I think warm to hot lather might feel nice to some but in the end crappy lather that is hot doesn't do the same as properly mixed and hydrated lather that may feel luke warm. I know which one performs for me. That's my tip...don't judge a barber's or your own lather based on it's volume and temperature.

I can't speak for any barber and their lather, but mine is excellent, for me; nice, thick, creamy and well-hydrated.

I can only surmise that some barbers use the automated lather machine to facilitate things for them. However, as in the above video, I am sure many other barbers find it more economical, and possibly, customary to use a brush and soap.

My barber uses a true straight razor and a hot lather machine. The use of shaving brushes and shaving mugs is prohibited by N.Y.S. Sanitary Code of the Barbering License Law. All of this is covered under state Public Health Law. This is in New York State in U.S.A..

The lather from my barber's hot lather machine feels like a very respectable lather. It is very similar to some soaps and traditional creams. IMHO, it feels much more hydrated, thick, rich, and slick than any canned foam or gel that I've used.

I found it interesting that straight razors or shavettes are not specifically named in the barbering law. Just that all implements shall be disinfected between each customer. I know that other states require the use of shavettes or replaceable blade razors, using a new blade for each customer.

If you want to see real Barber's lather you have to look for Turkish barber, Indian barber, Italian barber (there is one in Mastro Livi channel).

And you will realize why it's called wet shaving!!  One example here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDSWB4UFNFI

The stretching technique alone makes this video worth watching.

The nomad barber is an awesome series.

nomad is good, but it's been a while since he's uploaded some shaving videos...I also like these channels as well:

https://www.youtube.com/user/OrangOrangGila/videos (HairCut Harry)

&
https://www.youtube.com/user/tarmax82/videos (ASMR Barber)

When I was a teenager, my barber used a real straight and lather from a machine. Even after a haircut, the usual procedure was to put lather on the back and side of your head and shave with a straight. It's been a long time - but the lather seemed good.

Barbers use machines, not to make their lives easier, but to comply with legislation, f.e. "The use of shaving brushes and shaving mugs is prohibited"
Now, we all know science doesn't always back-up legislation.

Although English legislation is not that explicit, it kind of makes it better to play it safe and skip the brush.

I am glad I learned how to do it on me better than a barber would. No need of gloves btw