Element

Performance Criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

1. Select and maintain honing and stropping tools.

1.1. Select and maintain a range of hones.

1.2. Select and use appropriate lubricants.

1.3. Select and maintain a range of strops.

2. Hone straight razors.

2.1. Examine the blade of the straight razor to detect imperfections or defects.

2.2. Select and lubricate a hone that is suitable to the condition of the blade to be sharpened.

2.3. Hone the straight razor to keenness suitable for face shaving.

2.4. Clean and maintain the used hone, according to manufacturer instructions.

3. Strop straight razors.

3.1. Test the keenness of the razor’s edge.

3.2. Select a strop that is suitable to the condition of the razor and dress appropriately.

3.3. Apply stropping techniques and repeat as required.

3.4. Clean and maintain the used strop, according to manufacturer instructions.

4. Sterilise and store straight razors.

4.1. Sterilise straight razors, according to relevant legislation and salon procedures.

4.2. Store sterilised straight razors, according to relevant legislation and salon procedures.

Required skills

technical skills to:

select and apply tools and techniques for honing, including:

holding the razor

holding the hone

turning the razor

first and second stroke honing

completing the second stroke in honing

repeat strokes in honing

select and apply tools and techniques for stropping, including:

the direction of the razor in stropping

first stroke in stropping

second stroke in stropping

final testing of the razor edge

numeracy skills to manage preparation of straight razors for use within salon timeframes

literacy skills to interpret and follow relevant skin penetration regulations and salon procedures

Required knowledge

relevant skin penetration regulations

salon procedures regarding the preparation of straight blade razors

types and applications of hones and lubricants

types and applications of strops

parts of a straight razor and their function

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential:

application of skin penetration regulations

safe work practices regarding handling, sterilising and storing straight razors

safe and correct honing of straight razors to a keenness suitable for face shaving

safe and correct stropping of straight razors to smooth the edge and prepare them for shaving and haircutting services.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure access to:

a salon or a simulated salon environment that includes a range of work situations such as client interruptions and involvement in other related activities normally expected in the salon

straight razors

a range of hones and strops

lubricants

documentation including:

relevant skin penetration regulations

salon procedures for sterilisation and storage of straight razors

For further guidance on the use of an appropriate simulated environment, refer to the Assessment Guidelines in this Training Package.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

observation of the learner performing a range of tasks in an actual or simulated work environment, over sufficient time to demonstrate their handling of a range of contingencies. Tasks may include:

examining straight razor blades to detect any imperfections or defects

selecting and using hones and relevant lubricants

selecting, preparing and using strops

written and verbal questions:

on the parts of the straight razor and their function.

regarding the types and applications of hones and strops.

regarding relevant occupational health and safety legislation and health regulations.

Guidance information for assessment

A unit of competency describes an individual skill but people rarely perform one skill at a time. Many skills are combined on a day-to-day basis in the workplace as part of work processes. This does not mean that each skill described by a unit of competency is prerequisite to another—they are related skills.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, salon and job role is recommended, for example:

SIHHHCS307A Combine structures for traditional and classic men’s haircut designs

SIHHHCS309A Perform face and head shaves

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Hones may include:

German water

carborundum

Belgian

synthetic and combination.

Lubricants may include:

water

oils

honing compounds.

Strops may include:

canvas

cowhide

horsehide

imitation leather.

Relevant legislation may include:

health regulations

skin penetration

occupational health and safety.

Salon procedures may include:

procedures that comply with state or territory and local government health or skin penetration regulations relevant to the service

occupational health and safety

environmental protection practices, such as waste disposal.