Demonstrating the razor’s capabilities, popularised in the 18^th century, is Lithgow barber Tim Miller.

“Lithgow was originally a coal and steel town. Cut-throat razors were first made of steel,” Mr Miller said. 

“But people have shaved with straight blades since BC, with things like flint and sharpened stones.”

Tough Grind barbers will be performing traditional hot-towel shaves on April 22-23 at Lithgow Showground.

Mr Miller recreates the ritual of a close shave by wrapping the customer’s face in hot towels to open pores, aerates the shaving cream by hand and applies the blade twice, once with the grain and once across it. 

“A straight blade cuts hair at a much greater angle than your standard safety blade,” he said. 

When Mr Miller shaves clients he spends a few minutes mixing his coconut-based cream to get it to activate. 

“Modern shaving creams try to emulate the lathered cream of traditional barbers, which are whipped by hand. Modern shaving cream is essentially watered down shaving cream filled with aerosol propellants that aren’t necessarily good for your skin. It’s like putting whipped cream on your face.”

Tim Miller and his partner Sarah moved to Lithgow eight months ago to open Tough Grind on Main Street. Before he was a barber, Mr Miller was a drafts person in Sydney.

“I learnt hairdressing at home, I had four brothers and got heaps of practice,” he said.

“I went to TAFE to learn barbering and was taught by an old-school Italian barber.

“We are re-enlivening something old school. Traditional barbers were a place for clients to relax and chat, and barbers took their time to make haircuts really good.”

One of Tough Grind’s regulars, Curtis Young is sold on the straight blade.

“It’s just something different. The process is more comforting and less work for me.”