Hot towel shave
40 minThe six steps with a straight razor: hot towel, oil and lather, two passes and a cool towel to finish. Face and neck.
Book ahead
Book: Hot towel shaveWilmington, North Carolina
A hot shave, taken slowly
Two chairs on Castle Street, a straight razor and a hot towel. Come for the shave, the beard or a plain good cut.
About 40 minutes, start to finish
The hot shave in six steps
Nothing is rushed and nothing is a surprise. This is what happens in the chair, and how long each step takes.
5 min01The talk
Your barber looks at which way the hair grows, how your skin feels today and how you shave at home. Then you lean back.
5 min02Hot towel
A towel wrung out in hot water goes over your face. It softens the whiskers so the razor has less to fight.
5 min03Oil and lather
A little oil first, then lather worked in with a brush. It lifts the hairs and gives the razor something to ride on.
10 min04First pass
The razor goes with the grain, cheek by cheek and then the neck, in short strokes with the skin held taut.
8 min05Second pass
More lather, then a second, closer pass across the grain. Against it only where your skin is happy to take it. Say stop at any point.
5 min06Cool towel and balm
A cool towel to close the shave, a balm worked in, and a last look in the mirror.
Times are a guide. A first shave takes a little longer.
Blades and tools
A new blade for every shave
The razor takes a fresh blade at the chair, where you can see it go in. Tools are disinfected between clients.
A new blade for every shave
Tools are disinfected between clients
Brushes, combs and towels are kept for one client at a time
The menu
The shaves and the beards
Every service has a time. Prices show when you book.
Hot shaves
First shave
50 minFor a first time with a straight razor. We go slower, show you the strokes and talk through what to do at home afterward.
New to the razorBook: First shaveHead shave
45 minHot towel, lather and razor over the whole scalp, finished with a cool towel and a balm.
Takes longerBook: Head shaveShave and shaping
65 minA beard shaping and a hot towel shave in one visit: the shape first, then the towel and the razor to finish the lines.
Two in oneBook: Shave and shaping
Hot shaves are booked ahead. The booking page shows each price.
Beards
Beard shaping
30 minCheeks and neckline set with the razor, the length evened out with scissors and comb, and the edges finished with a hot towel.
Consultation firstBook: Beard shapingBeard trim
15 minClippers and comb to even the length. A quick tidy between shaping visits.
Book: Beard trimLine-up and neck shave
20 minThe cheek line and the neckline cut clean, then a hot towel and a razor across the nape.
Book: Line-up and neck shaveMustache trim
10 minScissors and comb along the lip and the corners of the mouth, with the razor for the edge.
Book: Mustache trim
Prices are set by your barber's level and shown when you book.
Your barbers
Two chairs, two barbers
Alton and Roosevelt work side by side most days. Book either by name, or take the next open chair.
Works Tuesday to Saturday. Lead: hot shaves, first shaves and classic cuts.
Works Wednesday to Saturday. Lead: beard shaping, tapers and scissor cuts.
A guide to beard shapes
Find your beard shape
Six shapes we cut most. Each tab says who it suits and how often to come back.
Full and natural
Let it grow, keep it tidy: the cheek line and neckline cleaned up and the length evened out. Suits thick, even growth. Ask for: shaped, not shortened.
Every 3 to 4 weeks
Razor on the cheek line and the neckline
A balm at home keeps it sitting down
Short boxed
A short, even length with sharp edges at the cheek and the neck. Suits most growth and most workplaces. Ask for: a boxed beard, one guard.
Every 2 to 3 weeks
Clippers for the length, razor for the edges
Easy to keep between visits
Stubble
A close clipper length kept the same all over, with a clean neckline. Suits growth that comes in slowly or patchy. Ask for: stubble, and say which guard.
Every 2 weeks
One guard all over
A neckline cut with the razor
Goatee and mustache
A mustache with a chin beard, the cheeks shaved clean. Suits growth that comes in thickest at the chin. Ask for: the cheeks clean and the mustache kept.
Every 2 to 3 weeks
Scissors on the mustache
Cheeks shaved with a hot towel
Clean cheek line
A full chin and jaw with a razor-sharp cheek line. Suits growth that thins on the cheeks. Ask for: a high cheek line, or a natural one.
Every 2 to 3 weeks
The cheek line drawn with the razor
We show you the line before we cut it
Long and shaped
Length kept on the chin, trimmed with scissors and comb so it falls cleanly. Suits a beard that has had time. Ask for: length kept, shape cleaned.
Every 4 to 6 weeks
Scissors and comb, not clippers
Oil at home keeps it soft
From the chair
“I came in for a shave before my daughter's wedding and stayed for the towel. It was slow in the best way.”
Richard B.Hot shave regular
“My first straight razor shave. Roosevelt showed me the strokes and told me what to do at home afterward.”
Brady W.First shave
“I book a beard shaping every few weeks. The neckline is clean every time, and he tells me when to come back.”
Marquise T.Beard regular
Sample reviews.
Walk-ins when a chair is open
Hours and the line
Hot shaves are booked ahead. Cuts and beard trims take walk-ins when a chair is open.
- MondayMonTodayClosed
- TuesdayTueToday9am – 6pm
- WednesdayWedToday9am – 6pm
- ThursdayThuToday9am – 6pm
- FridayFriToday9am – 6pm
- SaturdaySatToday8am – 3pm
- SundaySunTodayClosed
Walk-ins welcome for cuts and beard trims, Tuesday to Saturday, when a chair is open. Sign the board by the door; waits vary and the board shows who is next. Hot shaves are booked ahead. The line closes 30 minutes before we do.
Lean back. We'll take it from here.
Book a hot shave or a beard shaping, or call the shop and we will find you a time.