# How much did barbers charge for a shave? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 24, 2008, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-did-barbers-charge-for-a-shave/469345 "2008-10-24T13:52:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2008, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-did-barbers-charge-for-a-shave/469345/1 "2008-10-24T13:52:14Z")
You see this in old cartoons, TV and films–the hot towel, open blade, etc. I realize this was before safety razors, but a clean-shaven man has to shave every day (haircuts are not daily), and that might add up, depending on the charge. If a shave and a haircut were really two bits, was that a luxury or normal, everyday expense? Also I wonder: Can I go to a barber today and get a shave? How much would they charge? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Slant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c57346/32.png) [@Mr.Slant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Slant)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2008, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-did-barbers-charge-for-a-shave/469345/2 "2008-10-24T13:57:52Z")
I had one last year from the barber on the corner. I think it cost me about 1/2 of what the cost of the haircut was… $11 for a haircut, $15 or $16 for a shave AND a haircut. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Slant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c57346/32.png) [@Mr.Slant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Slant)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2008, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-did-barbers-charge-for-a-shave/469345/3 "2008-10-24T13:59:31Z")
Also, some barbers still use straight blades, but quite a few now use safety razors. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2008, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-did-barbers-charge-for-a-shave/469345/4 "2008-10-24T14:00:13Z")
And if the barber shaves every man who doesn’t shave himself… [d & r] ---
**Author:** ![Ponster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponster/32/17081_2.png) [@Ponster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponster)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2008, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-did-barbers-charge-for-a-shave/469345/5 "2008-10-24T14:00:50Z")
I can get a straight-razor shave for about $8 in Paris. ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2008, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-did-barbers-charge-for-a-shave/469345/6 "2008-10-24T14:04:39Z")
> [@Mr.Slant](#): > > I had one last year from the barber on the corner. > I think it cost me about 1/2 of what the cost of the haircut was… > $11 for a haircut, $15 or $16 for a shave AND a haircut. So the price has certainly gone up. Anyway, you obviously don’t get a shave from the barber every day, right? ---
**Author:** ![BubbaDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bubbadog/32/333_2.png) [@BubbaDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BubbaDog)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2008, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-did-barbers-charge-for-a-shave/469345/7 "2008-10-24T14:05:56Z")
Removed ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2008, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-did-barbers-charge-for-a-shave/469345/8 "2008-10-24T14:11:16Z")
I forgot to shave once and by coincidence had a haircut scheduled that afternoon. At the end of my haircut, I asked the barber for a shave. He looked me over and said, “You don’t need one.” :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Slant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c57346/32.png) [@Mr.Slant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Slant)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2008, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-did-barbers-charge-for-a-shave/469345/9 "2008-10-24T14:31:35Z")
> [@guizot](#): > > So the price has certainly gone up. > > Anyway, you obviously don’t get a shave from the barber every day, right? No, though I’d actually love to… ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2008, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-did-barbers-charge-for-a-shave/469345/10 "2008-10-24T14:39:39Z")
A shave and a haircut would be priced the same – fifteen cents – so two bits for a shave and haircut was a combo. But no, your average cowpoke didn’t get a shave every day. A shave, haircut and hot bath were only part of ritual “go to town” cleanup. ---
**Author:** ![Tristan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tristan/32/18058_2.png) [@Tristan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tristan)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2008, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-did-barbers-charge-for-a-shave/469345/11 "2008-10-24T15:44:48Z")
The barber across the river from me does a straight razor shave, using what is called a “shavette”, that is a straight razor with a long disposable blade. It cost me $8, which seems to be the going rate. I have since purchased my own blade, strop, mug, and do my own straightrazor shaving. ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2008, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-did-barbers-charge-for-a-shave/469345/12 "2008-10-24T16:00:45Z")
I remember the British TV series “1900 House”. It was quite a chore to shave in 1900-you stood a good chance of cutting yourself quite badly with the straight bladed razors. Also, good lighting and hot water are essential. So I can understand the popularity of barber shops. My question: when Gilette invented the safety razor, did a lot of barber shops close down? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2008, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-did-barbers-charge-for-a-shave/469345/13 "2008-10-24T16:02:51Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > A shave and a haircut would be priced the same – fifteen cents – so **two bits for a shave and haircut** was a combo. No toon can resist this. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2008, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-did-barbers-charge-for-a-shave/469345/14 "2008-10-24T16:39:51Z")
I’ve paid for a shave at a barber’s a time or two and I view it as kind of a luxury. The shave you get is very deep and clean and will last longer than one done with a cheap disposable blade (IME). Plus, there’s the hot towel, the rubdown with whatever after-shave lotion they use… Facials for men, I tell 'ya. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2008, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-did-barbers-charge-for-a-shave/469345/15 "2008-10-24T17:58:17Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > I’ve paid for a shave at a barber’s a time or two and I view it as kind of a luxury. The shave you get is very deep and clean and will last longer than one done with a cheap disposable blade (IME). Plus, there’s the hot towel, the rubdown with whatever after-shave lotion they use… > > Facials for men, I tell 'ya. Everything old is new again. [Men’s Grooming Lounge](http://www.groominglounge.com/visitourstore.html). ETA: Holy follicle, they’re expensive. $50 for a shave or a haircut. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2008, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-did-barbers-charge-for-a-shave/469345/16 "2008-10-24T18:05:53Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > I’ve paid for a shave at a barber’s a time or two and I view it as kind of a luxury. The shave you get is very deep and clean and will last longer than one done with a cheap disposable blade (IME). Plus, there’s the hot towel, the rubdown with whatever after-shave lotion they use… > > Facials for men, I tell 'ya. Make sure the barber knows what he is doing and does it occasionally at least (same advice for a heart transplant, actually). When I got married in 1964 my father told me there was nothing like the luxury of being shaved by a barber and I should do it on my wedding day. So I did, I went to a barbershop in the small town in southern NJ where the wedding was and asked for a shave. One of the worst experiences of my life. He left my face scratched and raw, it was awful. About nine months later I stopped shaving and have never shaved since. I think he charged me a couple bucks and got no tip. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/41988e/32.png) [@El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Cid_Viscoso)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2008, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-did-barbers-charge-for-a-shave/469345/17 "2008-10-24T19:50:09Z")
My ole faithful barber charges five bucks for a straight-razor shave. More if the fur is longer, same as the haircut. ---
**Author:** ![Peanuthead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peanuthead/32/360_2.png) [@Peanuthead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peanuthead)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2008, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-did-barbers-charge-for-a-shave/469345/18 "2008-10-24T22:01:38Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > A shave and a haircut would be priced the same – fifteen cents – so two bits for a shave and haircut was a combo. > > But no, your average cowpoke didn’t get a shave every day. A shave, haircut and hot bath were only part of ritual “go to town” cleanup. So I guess John Edwards would pay about $700 then. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2008, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-did-barbers-charge-for-a-shave/469345/19 "2008-10-24T23:08:49Z")
In the first decade of the 20th Century, in the US, a haircut most places was fifteen cents. A shave was ten cents. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2008, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-did-barbers-charge-for-a-shave/469345/20 "2008-10-24T23:47:55Z")
I got one for 50 US cents in Cambodia five years ago. I got a haircut then the guy asked, or rather told, me if I wanted a shave as well. I had to lie back in a big leather dentist’s-style chair while he went to work with a big cut-throat razor. I don’t think I’ve ever stayed as motionless in my life! My face stayed smooth for ages though. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-did-barbers-charge-for-a-shave/469345.md?page=2)