Straight-Razor Shave Masterclass

About this experience

A Monday class in Jamal’s shop focused on one skill: the straight-razor shave. You watch him give a full hot-towel shave to a regular client, with Jamal explaining skin prep, lather, stretching the skin and the order of passes.

Then you practice. You learn to hold the razor, find the right angle and control pressure by shaving lather off a balloon and a practice skin pad, not a person. You also learn to strop and hone a blade and how shops handle sanitation and disposable blades.

Your day

1. 11:00 AM

   Tools and sanitation

   Straight razors versus shavettes, disposable blades and shop sanitation rules.

   20 min

2. 11:20 AM

   Demo shave

   Watch a full hot-towel shave on a client with running explanation.

   40 min

3. 12:00 PM

   Grip and angle

   Practice holding the razor and keeping the angle on a practice skin pad.

   30 min

4. 12:30 PM

   Balloon drill

   Shave lather off a balloon without popping it.

   30 min

5. 1:00 PM

   Stropping and aftercare

   Strop a blade, then cover aftershave and irritation care.

What’s included

• Shavette and blades for practice
• Practice skin pad and balloons
• Shave soap and brush to take home

Good to know

• Guests practice on balloons and practice skin pads only, never on people.
• Blades are sharp; Jamal covers safe handling first and supervises all practice.
• Guests must be 18+.

Your curator

Jamal CarterLicensed master barber, 14 years behind the chair

Jamal Carter started cutting hair in his college dorm and earned his master barber license at 22. He owns a six-chair shop in southwest Atlanta and keeps a book of regulars who have followed him for over a decade. He teaches fade classes to newer barbers on Mondays.