Straight Razors -
Back when [tm] the Barbers used to use a Straight Razor . Health Dept - said "no more". They now use what looks like a straight razor - with a disposable blade. This all came about with the Aid Concerns ....
Box Cutters use disposable blades, not straight razors...no wonder the world has gone to hell in a handbasket...
Sigh...
I'd go in to my Barber at the time. Drink his coffee, read his paper. He would finish up the guy before me, remove the real cloth covering, the real cloth to protect the neck, use real talcum powder. Set the straight razor in the "Sterile Box" ...He'd grin " Ivory, Silver, or Tortoise Shell" , I'd reply Ivory, and the Ivory handled Straight Razor would be getting the edge, the leather strop was attached to the chair...
My trim would be with a Straight Razor, " Razor cut" as we called it then. Scissors used for my moustache, or to make my ponytail if wearing one at the time - remove the split ends. I'd get a shave, and back of neck shaved with a SR.
No scissors to cut my hair, skill of a surgeon to "cut and style" - before that meant charging too much for a haircut.
Old Fella died - he had a collection of Straight Razors, collection of shaving mugs, brushes, scissors...
Now he had a fella try to rob him one night while making a bank deposit,...he knew all about straight razors, punk saw the glistening of steel and the grin of the old man- took off running.
When the Health Dept said no more...he used one as ....well in the midst of the table / chairs/waiting area... apples, pears, peaches, cheese...Some young kid made fun of the "old ways".
Kid lost a $5 bet - said them razors not for good nothing...Barber shaved a peach with one....I mean he shaved it smooth as a baby's butt, with no nicks...
*grin*