It was exactly a month ago that I visited and got a haircut from Floyd the Barber on Adams Street in downtown Peoria. More than one person commented that I should’ve gotten an old-fashioned straight razor barber shave while I was there. I admitted I had never experienced that and promised I’d go back and give it a try. Well, my word’s as good as my shoe size, so let’s go get shaved!
I needed someone to take photos and contributing writer and photographer, Bob Gordon stepped up to the plate and volunteered. I stopped by Acme Comics to drag him away from his day job.
And here's Bob, hardly at work. Time to hit the road.
We're off in search of truth, justice and the American shave.
Here's the place, Skippy's and Floyd's, the sign says, "open," so let's go inside.
I see a familiar face peering out of the window underneath the "open" neon signage.
Okay, I've handed the camera over to Bob and Floyd has the chair all ready.
Luke's a regular at the barber shop and says he's had many shaves here and Floyd has only cut him a few times. Gulp!
Everything freezes as a pretty girl walks by outside. Funny how time stops for something like that.
Okay, the glasses are off and I'm tilted back in the chair, time to get this show on the road.
I found out there's many steps to getting a straight razor shave. Floyd first applies a liberal coating of pre-shave gel to the skin.
He then puts towels in the sink and soaks them in steaming hot water...
And he proceeds to wrap my face up like a 57 dollar Christmas present.
One of the many things that's cool about Floyd is it's obvious he loves his work. Look at the smile on his dial as he covers my noggin in steaming towels.
Uh, Floyd...Bob...where'd everybody go? Mama!
Floyd came back and unwrapped me right before I had a full-blown anxiety attack.
Warm shaving cream is dutifully dispensed...
And it's liberally applied to the right side of my face. Floyd takes it one side at a time.
And before you know it I'm under the blade. I have to admit I was a little nervous having someone else shave me with a super sharp straight razor, but Floyd's a master and you can barely feel the blade as he shaves away the stubble.
It's actually kind of relaxing having this done.
Floyd attacks the stubble on my chinny-chin-chin.
Now it's time for the left side to get shaved.
Floyd's a master of detail and let's no whisker go unshaved.
As the shave is nearly complete, a moment of hilarity ensues.
Floyd grabs the after shave to finish my face off in masterful barbershop fashion.
Well, that's one way to shut down my motor mouth!
The final step is a dose of talcum powder...
And we're good to go!
I compliment Floyd on a job well done. My face feels smooth as a freshly-minted nickel.
Thanks to Floyd for a great shave and to Bob for taking the photos. Have a great Friday and we'll sneeze you all tomorrows.
Skippy's & Floyd's
1207 Adams Street
Peoria
Further reading: The Art of Shaving, Barber Paradox and Shaving Grace Barbers.
