logo
  • ABOUT
    • BRANDS, SHOPS AND DISCOUNT CODES
    • BARBERS & SALONS
    • FUN STUFF
    • OTHER
    • DISCLAIMER
  • POSTS
  • POMADES
    • ALL POMADES
    • HAIR SPRAY
    • HAIR TONIC
    • FIRST POMADE REVIEWS
    • HOW TO APPLY POMADE
    • SUAVECITO – The Pomade Revelation
    • COMBS
  • SHAVING
    • ALL SHAVING POSTS
    • RAZORS
    • BLADES
    • AFTERSHAVES
    • STRAIGHT RAZOR SHAVES
    • FIRST SHAVING POSTS
  • FRAGRANCES
    • DEODORANTS
    • BODY POWDER
  • BEARD OILS
  • WASHING
    • SHAMPOOS
    • FACE WASH
    • GROOMING
  • SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGEMENT
    • INSTAGRAM

Straight Razor Shave at Tommy Gun’s Barber Shop

November 10, 2016Shaving#Barber, #BarberShop, #Ottawa, #Shop, #StraightRazor, Shaving

Tommy Gun

Since my first straight razor shave experience at “Not your Father’s Barber” went so well, I figured I would continue on my exploration of such services.

When I was last at Lansdown park on a Friday night for a football game, my wife pointed out the “Tommy Gun’s” Barber shop.  It certainly looked the part and I wanted to give them a try.  That turned out to be yesterday evening.

Tommy GunThe shop itself is superb; red brick walls, classic Barber red chairs, black accents, etc…Tommy Gun’s is a chain and this is their standard image.  There is a very interesting waiting area on a second level where you will find iPad tablets, some arcade games and a TV.  What probably impressed me the most was their product inventory.  At the cash area they have 2 full sized display cases that are fully stocked with pomades and shaving gear. Among which are a good number of actual safety razors.  There are also 2 other displays by the cash holding even more pomades and straight blade razors. Most of these items are generally impossible to find in any store.  Of course, on-line everything is possible, but to actually walk into a store and be able to walk out with such a purchase is near impossible in Ottawa.

 

Tommy GunThey sell: Reuzel, American Crew, Pinaud-Clubman, Layrite, Billy Jealousy and Merkur razors to name but a few  Plainly put, this is the only place in town I am currently aware of that holds as many hair and shaving products specifically targeted to men. For such a small surface they sure manage to pack a punch.

The pricing on the products I looked at were in line with store prices.  You may find a better deal on-line, but the delta here is perfectly honest and you would have your item right away.

I was there for the straight razor shave service.  The cost of the service was $45 + taxes. Since I wanted to experience what more you might get for the jump in price, I was willing to fork it out.  Aside from the actual shave, you are getting some sort of facial treatment which mostly consists of a series of face washes followed by hot wet towel face wraps.  I think I counted 5 hot towel wraps.  The face washes are more or less like a little face massage.

Tommy Gun

Then came the actual shave.  The lady who did my shave was very pleasant and clearly knew what she was doing – no complaints.  But the combination of the blade and the various pre-shave and shave products did not agree with my skin.  This resulted in a shave that felt rough and my face got irritated.  The cream used offered very little lube and limited protection.  My skin literally felt raw during and after the shave. Even this morning (the night after) my face is still aggravated.

20161108_172026

During my various tests, I have certainly encountered blades that did not agree with my face as well as shaving creams that caused me more irritation than lube or protection.  But I have also encountered blades and creams that were of such impressive quality as to become points of reference as far as what a blade or cream should be.  For example the time proven Clubman-Pinaud hot shaving cream which is unbeatable in quality and price.

This is not to be read as I got a bad service, not at all. Everybody was very friendly and I certainly enjoyed my stay in their shop. Obviously, I am disappointed that the shave did not turn out better, but such is the cost of trying things out.  Yes, it is a more expensive destination but that goes hand-in-hand with the location and the extra amenities they are offering.

These are the products and tools used during my visit.

Tommy Gun

June 4th, 2017 Addendum

On Friday when I went for a shave at the House of Barons, while chatting about straight razor shaving my Barber informed me that the Tommy Gun shop at Lansdown closed at the beginning of the year.  Their location at Bayshore is still going.

Search by; brand, topic, keyword

Sign up here for the newsletter!

Recent Posts

  • Where are we headed for in 2025?
  • The Hillside Groom Co
  • Barbershop Visit – Local Barbier
  • Looking back on the Style4men ride
  • SMELLING AMAZING IS NOT JUST FOR THE 1%
  • I NOW SPEAK ITALIAN
  • Pistachio Ice Cream
  • SITTING IN A NEW CHAIR
  • Thievery Corporation comes to Ottawa
  • STILL HOLDING ON
  • BLACK LEATHER IN A BOTTLE
  • LIFE STINKS
  • BEARD REVIVAL WITH MILKMAN
  • With Confidence by Dear Barber
  • GILLETTE NACET RAZOR BLADES
  • SHAMPOO BAR + SOLID CONDITIONER
  • NO FLUORIDE TOOTHPASTE
  • WATCH STRAP UPGRADE WITH STRAP-MONSTER
  • Rocky Mountain Barber Co. – Sea Salt Texture Spray
  • ALRIGHT FRAGHEADS HERE IS HANDSOME DEVIL
  • DEBONAIR by 19 Fifties
  • King of Wood by Milkman
  • OBRO or Solid Cologne Royalty
  • Betrayal in the Bathroom
  • A Royal Shave with Truefitt & Hill

Previously posted

  • December 2024 (1)
  • November 2024 (2)
  • June 2024 (2)
  • April 2024 (3)
  • March 2024 (1)
  • January 2024 (1)
  • December 2023 (2)
  • October 2023 (3)
  • September 2023 (3)
  • August 2023 (1)
  • February 2023 (1)
  • January 2023 (1)
  • December 2022 (1)
  • September 2022 (1)
  • July 2022 (1)
  • April 2022 (4)
  • March 2022 (1)
  • February 2022 (2)
  • November 2021 (4)
  • October 2021 (4)
  • September 2021 (6)
  • July 2021 (5)
  • June 2021 (5)
  • March 2021 (4)
  • February 2021 (6)
  • January 2021 (6)
  • December 2020 (5)
  • November 2020 (2)
  • October 2020 (4)
  • September 2020 (6)
  • August 2020 (7)
  • July 2020 (5)
  • June 2020 (7)
  • May 2020 (10)
  • April 2020 (9)
  • March 2020 (10)
  • February 2020 (6)
  • January 2020 (8)
  • December 2019 (9)
  • November 2019 (4)
  • October 2019 (14)
  • September 2019 (10)
  • August 2019 (11)
  • July 2019 (6)
  • June 2019 (12)
  • May 2019 (8)
  • April 2019 (12)
  • March 2019 (14)
  • February 2019 (9)
  • January 2019 (8)
  • December 2018 (1)
  • November 2018 (5)
  • October 2018 (3)
  • September 2018 (4)
  • August 2018 (7)
  • July 2018 (7)
  • June 2018 (5)
  • May 2018 (8)
  • April 2018 (11)
  • March 2018 (5)
  • February 2018 (10)
  • January 2018 (8)
  • December 2017 (3)
  • November 2017 (9)
  • October 2017 (9)
  • September 2017 (10)
  • August 2017 (12)
  • July 2017 (15)
  • June 2017 (9)
  • May 2017 (12)
  • April 2017 (9)
  • March 2017 (11)
  • February 2017 (11)
  • January 2017 (12)
  • December 2016 (10)
  • November 2016 (8)
  • October 2016 (10)
  • September 2016 (12)
  • August 2016 (2)

Resize your window when using categories to see all posts

Amazon Affiliate Disclosure

Style4men.ca is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

STYLE4MEN.CA