Vent: People keep telling me to use a comb for everything, even a straight razor shave | Barbers - Freelance Forum - The Community for Independent Professionals

Ray Flores · 2026-03-19T23:40:04.322262+00:00

Had a guy last week insist I comb his lather before the blade touched his face, which is just asking for trouble. Anyone else run into this weird advice getting passed around?

williams.drew5mo ago

Comb the lather? That's a new level of crazy I wasn't ready for.

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ross.kim5mo ago

My barber taught me that, @williams.drew. It works.

4

joseph_green134mo ago

I read a forum post where a barber said combing lather can actually push air bubbles into the mix and mess up the glide. With a straight razor, you want a slick, even layer not chunky lather from a comb. @williams.drew is right to call it crazy, stick with brush and water for a good shave.

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andrew9665mo ago

Honestly, it makes perfect sense. A comb evens out the lather so the blade doesn't skip, @williams.drew. You're just fighting good technique.

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