Archive for August, 2008
WELCOME TO THE ANTIQUE BARBER.COM
Sunday, August 24th, 2008
The History Of Antique Barber
Antique Barber is the brainchild of shop owner, master barber and educator, Kamal Nuru. From an early age Kamal fell in love with old things (antiques). Kamal feels he owes it all to his Fresh Air Fund family, Tom and Karen. When Kamal was the young age of 8 he and his siblings were sent upstate NY to summer camp, for the much-needed fresh air coming from the inner city. Not to mention, Kamal ’s parents needed a break from the over whelming pressure of having a large family. Karen would take Kamal and Sam his fresh air fund brother to auctions all throughout the summer. Kamal grew fond of the big yards full of old tables chairs and all types of equipment especially the rhyming style of the auctioneer. Kamal says when he got older and found his passion, barbering; he noticed how he gravitated toward the old style barber chairs equipment and just the overall history of barbering. Kamal researched books, magazine and newspapers to find barber antiques but it was the Internet that really got him started barber antiques on open (EBay). Before long, Kamal had all types of antique barber chairs, razors, signs, shaving mugs, and just about anything he thought was cool from the old time barbershop. The EBay search became the name of his company Antique Barber, so in 2005, Kamal decided that barbers needed a remix on their look so he started off with T- shirts that would embody the tool of the trade. It wasn’t long before Kamal started designing high-end barber jackets and cutting cloths for Antique Barber. In 2011 Antique Barber is a well-respected company and a fixture at all the hair show across the country. Antique Barber has also branched out into the product side of the industry with its new antiseptic foam and shaving cream. Look for Antique Barber to be a leader in the future of Barber based companies.
Contact 9172664040
THE SHAVING MUG
Sunday, August 31st, 2008
American Barber Supplies began to buy scented shaving soaps from over seas in the early1840’s. The shaving soaps were packaged in porcelain containers decorated with fancy advertisements. By 1870 paper wrapped soap replaced the containers to be used with a shaving mug.
Occupational Shaving Mugs are at the top of the list when it comes to barbershop collectibles. At the beginning of 1870’s most men owned a shaving mug at home or at his barbershop. The patrons thought it would aid in reducing the rashes caught from the barber but actually it was the unsanitary razors that caused the rashes. Shaving mugs also were a status symbol for barbers and customers as well. The amount of mugs a barber had on display would represent his clientele base. From 1870 to 1920 millions of shaving mugs were produced making them fairly available today. On any day one can connect to eBay and find hundreds of shaving mugs to bid on. Antique shaving mugs range from tens to thousands of dollars depending on how rare the occupation was the more expensive the shaving mug.
Hand Painted occupational shaving mugs are excellent examples of American folk art. Blank mugs were shipped from Germany and France to the US to be painted. Of course all mugs are not created equal. There are personalized mugs with mild detail and those with serious artistry including gold leaf trimming and ceramic glazes then a few sessions in a gas kiln. Collectors simply call it “Eye Appeal.”
Distinctions In Collectible Shaving Mugs is between the mugs used at home and those used in barbershops. Shaving mugs used at home had more appeal, style, shape and artistic expression. They were also the least expensive and could be found in almost any home and purchased from a local catalog.
“In 1932 Katherine Morrison Kahle wrote a article on old time shaving mugs which was published in Magazine Antiques and they have been popular collectible ever since.” “By 1949 writer/collector Porter Ware had collected more than 500 different mugs and wrote a book on shaving mugs.”
If you are interested in becoming a collector here are a few leads. NASMC contact Penny Nader, treasurer, at 320 S. Glenwood St. Allentown PA 18104, www.journalofantiques.com
RAZOR BUMPS
Wednesday, August 27th, 2008
What are razor bumps?
Razor bumps, also called pseudofolliculitis barbae, are small, irritated bumps on the skin that develop after shaving when strands of hair curl back on themselves and grow into the skin. Razor bumps cause irritation and the development of pimples. They also may cause scarring.
How are razor bumps treated?
To treat razor bumps, use a clean needle to release the embedded hair shaft. If possible, stop shaving. This usually stops razor bumps from developing, depending on the severity. However, when shaving is restarted razor bumps typically return.
Do shaving alternatives stop the development of razor bumps?
Razor bumps will generally go away if shaving is stopped. Hair removal products (depilatories) can be used instead of shaving. However, these products can irritate the skin and should be used only once or twice a week.
Laser treatment may be an option. Laser treatment destroys the hair follicle and reduces the number of bumps that form. A recent
study found that after 90 days, the average number of skin bumps in the treated sites was significantly lower compared with untreated sites, although some hair may regrow and return to normal thickness after 6 to 12 months. 1
Can razor bumps be prevented?
The following shaving instructions can prevent razor bumps from forming:
* Take a hot shower before shaving to soften the hair and open the pores.
* Use a thick shaving gel.
* Don’t stretch the skin when shaving and always shave in the direction your beard grows. Use the fewest razor strokes possible.
Rinse with cold water.
* An electric razor can be used if it can be adjusted to a higher setting.
* Use a moisturizing lotion after shaving.
Who is at risk for razor bumps?
Razor bumps are common among African-Americans and people with tightly coiled hair. Razor bumps tend to be more of a problem for men than women since many men shave daily.
The Antique Barber does not endorse any of these products in particular but threw my research clients have found them to work best. Remember to consult with your physician before using any new product. You can purchase these products on the site.
HISTORY OF THE BARBER POLE
Wednesday, August 27th, 2008
The Modern Barber Pole originated
in the day when blood letting was one of the principal duties of the barbering trade. The two spiral ribbons painted around the pole represented two long bandages, one twisted around the arm before bleeding (to make the vein stand out), and the other used to bind it afterwards.
The patient clutched the staff firmly during the entire operation. Originally, when not in use, the pole with bandage pre-wound (so it might be ready when needed) was hung at the door as a sign. Later an imitation was painted and given a permanent place on the sidewalk outside.” So states the Barber’s Manual.
Some historians credit the blue stripe on the American poles as having been transported from blue and white bands on English poles of the 1700’s. Other authorities say that American barbers added the blue stripe to their red and white poles as a patriotic gesture.
The majority of early American barber poles were freestanding sidewalk pillars ranging from six to twelve feet in height. During the late 1890’s municipal authorities began to outlaw barber poles and cigar store Indians as public safety hazards. The wooden Indians were taken inside for a while, but eventually
more than 100,000 of thee obsolete figures were thrown in rivers, buried in garbage dumps or fed to fireplaces. Only about 3,000 authentic cigar store Indians exist today in museums and private collections.
Most wooden barber poles simply did not survive the outdoor elements
of wind, rain, and hungry termites. Although not as rare as tobacco figures, early poles with original paint intact are quite scarce. Recent auction prices have ranged from $1,000 to $12,000 each. Among the most valuable today are the flat sided stained glass poles that often hung in hotel lobbies.
Koch’s offered a 12-inch diameter leaded glass globe in their 1926 catalog. Few of these have survived
Modern barber poles, with revolving
interior cylinders, cost from $300 to $750 each and are still available from the last remaining factory outlet, the William Marvy company of 1538 St,. Clair Avenue,
St. Paul Minnesota. The Marvy factory has produced more than 75,000 poles over the last half century. Today much of their activity
centers around replacement parts and restoration work; but they still offer a selection of nine barber
poles ranging from eighteen to forty- seven inches tall.