The Blade’s the Rage at Larry’s Shaver Shop

(Originally appeared in the July 1, 2004 edition of the Century City News)

by Krystina Price

 I had some free time and although finding an electric shaver was part of a future plan, I decided scope out Larry’s Shaver Shop in Santa Monica.  I was warmly welcomed into the blade world by Don Dillon’s great smile and sculpted bald head.  This man was made to be bald!  The room lit up when Don got behind the counter - I had so much to learn.

Larry’s Shaver Shop has been in Santa Monica for over 50 years.  The first shop opened in 1953 at the Horace Heidt Arcade on 3^rd Street between Wilshire and Arizona. Horace Heidt was a bandleader in the 30’s and 40’s, and later pioneered a talent show in the early days of TV in Los Angeles.  The shop was moved to 321 Wilshire a few years later where it stood for 23 years, then moved to the corner of the 800 block of Wilshire - before the Northridge quake, and now to its present location at 821 Wilshire in Santa Monica.  Don’s been in the family business here since 1980.  That’s was when Don answered the call to help sister and 80-year-old step-grandmother run the store in California when his brother-in law, Larry Holmes, “got sick”.  Until then, Nancy, Don’s wife, had never traveled more than 13 miles from her home in Iowa, and wasn’t thrilled about their impending move.   But that was more than 20 years ago, she’s settled down since then.  It turned out to be such a good idea that Don’s niece, Marsha Okerlund, opened her own store in Hawthorne.

I had already researched various brands of electric shavers shown in store ads with a wide variety of prices and although I was on a limited budget, I wanted to “do the right thing” for my man’s beard, so I was ready to listen, and he was all mine. 

Who knew that men were into a triple/quadruple edge, wet shave?  Men hate shaving?  For no reason, watching a man shave turns me on.   However, Don reminds me that men have different beards, and some need to shave 3 or 4 times a day so they want to make it as enjoyable as possible. I hear today’s shavers don’t compare to the shavers of 25-30 years ago and some men consider their shavers their best friend. The older generation seems to be especially heartbroken when they hear their favorite can’t be fixed.  Some men are still using their fathers or grandfathers razors! What?  My Dad used a single edge razor.  He was a romantic character that used a razor strap that hung on its own hook in the bathroom.  Watching him shave on Sunday morning is one of the most cherished moments of my life, even though Mother sometimes used it as “the equalizer” in the afternoon.  His old shaving brush and cup still grace my bathroom.

Although a Grundig brand can only be purchased at shaver & specialty shops, it’s hands down, the BEST shaver made these days.  Grundig, reminds me of my Dad’s short wave radio with a record player built into the cabinet… where I played my first albums: Ray Charles and The Beatles…  The most popular brand is NORELCO.  But the trick is to customize your beard to an electric shaver.  You’ve got to get your beard to grow straight OUT - rather than UP.  After that the choice is yours.

At Larry’s Shaver Shop, they like to make sure you’re the right match for the shaver you buy. That’s why they want you to sample your shaver with your own beard - in the store.  They want you to come in with a beard and try the shaver they match you up with.  They want you stop by for a quick Braun clean up, or take care of a 2 day buzz with maybe, a Panasonic.  Bring in our old favorite.  Maybe they can fix it in-shop or forward to the factory for you.   No need to bother with the packaging and post office lines.  What a concept!  You can’t do that online.

After a few close shaves, men make their purchases, knowing they’ll come back again because it’s all been such a great experience.   Don and Clyde Helphrey, who plans on taking over the store someday, understand, and cater greatly to their customers.  Some of the famous faces who’ve stopped by in the past include: George Carlin, Anthony Quinn, Ricardo Montelbaun, Hal Lindon, Ray Walston, and Mark Harmon.  Kathryn Ross stopped by not long ago to purchase a pocket knife. Don tells me that they would love to have more females stop in.  They carry a nice assortment of Caswell-Massey products, beautiful German manicure sets and the finest cooking and camping knives.  You can even bring in your own cutlery for sharpening. Brands to buy include: Henkel, Kycera, Kershaw, Syderco, Benchmade, Cold Steel, and the trusty Swiss Army Knife.

 

I’m hooked.  Don considers his customers like family and some act like Larry’s is their personal toy store.  If they get busy, a regular might stick around to help out a new customer or help himself behind the counter. Don brings back the luxury of neighborly service.   Don’t miss it.  For a limited time, they are offering a 15 % off coupon. 

Open from Monday – Friday 9:00 to 5:30,

Saturday’s from 9-5

Larry’s Shaver Shop                                                            The Shaver Shop

821 Wilshire Blvd.                                                                17516 Hawthorne Blvd.

Santa Monica, CA  90401                                                    Torrance, CA  90504

310 393 3291                                                                          310 370 3373