ubervu
Apple iPhone
Nexus One
+ Add
EMAIL ALERTS: SUBSCRIBE
By: Rob
Updated 2 months, 2 weeks ago
Source: http://artofmanliness.com/
Some of my first memories, and definitely some of my best memories happened in the kind of barber shops that are steadily disappearing. My favorite Barber story is about the man who use to cut my hair as a kid. His name was Trenny. He lost his leg in the war and had a prosthetic, but when he was in the war he was coming home on a train when a customs guy stopped him and proceeded to arrest him in Spanish. Trenny, being Mexican, obliged the man and tried to tell the man, in Spanish, that he was in ...
- 99 comments on this story
Showing 93 relevant reactions out of 99.
@artofmanliness trying out gents place today after seeing http://artofmanliness.com/2009/08/18/how-to-pick-a-barbe
How to pick a barber. A guide to avoid getting scalped. http://bit.ly/5zJ4df
How to pick a barber. A guide to avoid getting scalped. http://bit.ly/5zJ4df
The problem I run into today is not having any barber shops in my area. Sound crazy? I’m in the Army, stationed in Germany and right now in Iraq. The “barbers” here are from India (I think) or locals brought in to cut our hair. You can’t tell them what you want, there’s no conversation and in the end they’re just trying to get as many people through as they can. ... See all content
[...] information on how to choose a barber, check out these guides by GQ and The Art of Manliness. I also found TAofM’s Barbershop Locator to be quite [...]
A couple months ago I learned the value of a good barber. One of the barbers at my regular shop just retired, and the only good barber left in the shop is pretty slow, so I thought “why not try out a salon for a change?” Big mistake. I get my hair cut pretty short…it’s cut to about 1/8 of an inch and I let it grow for about a month before the next cut, so it’s never very ... See all content
For all the men out there - http://bit.ly/3eqwgt
I have recently discovered the joys of going to a barber shop when I was the best man in a wedding. The groom took all of the groomsmen to his barber shop in Waynesboro Virginia. It was my first time in a good barber shop (I was in one that should have been called a butcher shop in west virginia once). The barber looking at my head was able to tell me what I wanted before I could tell him. He used ... See all content
Getting your haircut at a salon is NOT manly.. Here's how to pick a great barber. http://bit.ly/1Eirq8
A barber just opened up within walking distance of my workplace. He’s been cutting hair for years and just decided to venture out on his own. Anyway, he did a great job! He used clippers AND a comb on the sides and scissors on the top. Doesn’t look “bowlish” in anyway. And it was cheaper ($15 compared to $20 plus)!
p.s. One of my ex-girlfriend’s usually cuts my
...
See all content
Many years ago I frequented a traditional “two chair” barber shop in Chicago. The old Italian barber was classic – straight edge around the ears, lather and talc on the neck, the whole bit. The only problem was that I don’t think he could see very well anymore and thus gave a pretty bad haircut. I’d have to have my wife cut the parts he’d missed when I got home. ... See all content
[...] Note: If you really want to ensure that your barber gets your haircut the way you want it, print off this post and show him a picture of the haircut [...]
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by artofmanliness: How to Pick a Barber: http://artofmanliness.com/2Nlm…
Some of my first memories, and definitely some of my best memories happened in the kind of barber shops that are steadily disappearing. My favorite Barber story is about the man who use to cut my hair as a kid. His name was Trenny. He lost his leg in the war and had a prosthetic, but when he was in the war he was coming home on a train when a customs guy stopped him and proceeded to arrest him in Spanish ... See all content
Sadly, my hair is a bit of a rat’s nest at the moment. I’m not happy with my current barber and am likely to be forced the unisex salon route. A year ago, though… now THAT was a different time!
I had the World’s Greatest Barber: George Tomasic of Tar Heel Barber. The man was brilliant. He knew everything there was to know about the art of cutting hair and the even more
...
See all content
Or just grow your hair long and save all the trouble.
ive been pretty lucky with my barbers. i used to go to the same guy my familys been useing for ever but hes not open all the time now a days so i had to go looking for a new barber an i think i found the right one doing these thing without even knowing it.
[...] How to Pick a Barber (artofmanliness.com) [...]
[...] How to Pick a Barber (artofmanliness.com) [...]
http://bit.ly/axjWU Reading: How to Pick a Barbe
[...] Art of Manliness is a blog that covers, well, how to be a man. Everything from how to pick a barber and good sportsmanship to being decisive and apologizing for your mistakes is covered in this [...]
[...] Art of Manliness is a blog that covers, well, how to be a man. Everything from how to pick a barber and good sportsmanship to being decisive and apologizing for your mistakes is covered in this [...]
I used to go to a really good barber who did nice flat top haircuts for me, with white wall sides. Now my hair is really receded so I opt to shave it myself every couple of day with a razor. Keeps it neat a clean looking. I don’t believe in trying to pretend I am not loosing my hair and doing the dreaded comb-over.
I used to go to a really good barber who did nice flat top haircuts for me, with white wall sides. Now my hair is really receded so I opt to shave it myself every couple of day with a razor. Keeps it neat a clean looking. I don’t believe in trying to pretend I am not loosing my hair and doing the dreaded comb-over.
Whenever I have a new barber, I try to figure out as quickly as possible whether he was trained in the military or in prison. Both types will ask you what you want, but the military barber is not going to ask your opinion again, and you’ll get what he’s decided you are going to get. The prison barber is going to try to give you what you want, in case you are armed. Keep in mind, though ... See all content
Whenever I have a new barber, I try to figure out as quickly as possible whether he was trained in the military or in prison. Both types will ask you what you want, but the military barber is not going to ask your opinion again, and you’ll get what he’s decided you are going to get. The prison barber is going to try to give you what you want, in case you are armed. Keep in mind, though ... See all content
I’ve cut my own hair for 10 years with clippers – I know what I want to look like. But I miss the barber experience too. Went to one until he died about 15 years ago, an Italian immigrant whose shop was like stepping back in time before the ’60s changes. He even had one of those ’30s massagers you strap on your hand with the big motor on top. RIP Luca.
I’ve cut my own hair for 10 years with clippers – I know what I want to look like. But I miss the barber experience too. Went to one until he died about 15 years ago, an Italian immigrant whose shop was like stepping back in time before the ’60s changes. He even had one of those ’30s massagers you strap on your hand with the big motor on top. RIP Luca.
I’ve been fortunate to find three (!) actual barbershops as an adult; amazingly, one of these was located on my university campus (complete with old-school leather chairs and B&W television, and right across from a “salon”). My current barber has thirty years’ experience, and is a fixture on the city’s East Side, knows how I like my hair cut, and certainly does NOT ... See all content
I’ve been fortunate to find three (!) actual barbershops as an adult; amazingly, one of these was located on my university campus (complete with old-school leather chairs and B&W television, and right across from a “salon”). My current barber has thirty years’ experience, and is a fixture on the city’s East Side, knows how I like my hair cut, and certainly does NOT ... See all content
Bruce: Where is Rita’s Barber Shop in Rockledge? I’ve been looking for a good barber since I’ve moved down here.
Bruce: Where is Rita’s Barber Shop in Rockledge? I’ve been looking for a good barber since I’ve moved down here.
This article really brought me back; I remember going to a wonderfull small town barber as a kid. I havent hought about that man is years. The shop was very smoky, this was way back before smoking in a public building was so frowned upon. The shop was decorated with stuffed fish and i remember a small bear with sunglases and a police hat on. This was a truely manly place. When i was about 13 i started ... See all content
This article really brought me back; I remember going to a wonderfull small town barber as a kid. I havent hought about that man is years. The shop was very smoky, this was way back before smoking in a public building was so frowned upon. The shop was decorated with stuffed fish and i remember a small bear with sunglases and a police hat on. This was a truely manly place. When i was about 13 i started ... See all content
for the 7-8 years i was going to a very nice lady stylist who cut my hair very well just the way i liked it… but at the end of the day i was in after all a ladies hair salon no matter how you slice it… little old ladies getting perms, high school prom queens getting their hair done for the big dance… and around xmas time forget it… i could wait an hour for my appt that’s ... See all content
for the 7-8 years i was going to a very nice lady stylist who cut my hair very well just the way i liked it… but at the end of the day i was in after all a ladies hair salon no matter how you slice it… little old ladies getting perms, high school prom queens getting their hair done for the big dance… and around xmas time forget it… i could wait an hour for my appt that’s ... See all content
[...] COMO ESCOLHER O SEU BARBEIRO – Item muito importante na vida de um homem… [...]
[...] COMO ESCOLHER O SEU BARBEIRO – Item muito importante na vida de um homem… [...]
As a just retired barber/stylist from The Mens Room I agree with all the above comments. If you find someone who cuts your hair the way you like it , stay with that person and if moving to a new city ask your barber if they know someone in the new city to refer you to, whether male or female. Chances are they do. Also a cut using the razor over comb system always results in a more controlable style ... See all content
As a just retired barber/stylist from The Mens Room I agree with all the above comments. If you find someone who cuts your hair the way you like it , stay with that person and if moving to a new city ask your barber if they know someone in the new city to refer you to, whether male or female. Chances are they do. Also a cut using the razor over comb system always results in a more controlable style ... See all content
I just recently tried a real barber, and it was worth every penny ($20 each for cut and shave)
The guy has been cutting hair for decades, and really knew his stuff.
A tad shorter than I like on the cut, but the shave was perfect and the best I’ve ever had.
I just recently tried a real barber, and it was worth every penny ($20 each for cut and shave)
The guy has been cutting hair for decades, and really knew his stuff.
A tad shorter than I like on the cut, but the shave was perfect and the best I’ve ever had.
When I lived in Phoenix, I found the best barber shop ever called V’s. This was a great place that not only had the decor of a man’s barber shop, but gave an outstanding haircut and perfect straight-razor shaves. Unfortunately, I had to move not long after I found them.
Now I’m in central Missouri and trying to find a decent barber shop is less than easy. There is one that
...
See all content
When I lived in Phoenix, I found the best barber shop ever called V’s. This was a great place that not only had the decor of a man’s barber shop, but gave an outstanding haircut and perfect straight-razor shaves. Unfortunately, I had to move not long after I found them.
Now I’m in central Missouri and trying to find a decent barber shop is less than easy. There is one that
...
See all content
I got so burned out on those “unisex salon” places that I’ll only go to them in an ABOSOLUTE emergency—and even then, I’d usually rather just do without a haircut until I can get in to the barber. My experience at those places has been pathetic. One place I went to, all the “stylists” had call-girl nick names (I.E. “Bubbles”, etc), and the one cutting ... See all content
I visit the barbershop in my town every ten days. A triple-x cut all over. Not quite a clean shave, but very close: and always a clean-up around the ears and the back of the neck with a straight razor.
I travel to New York City often and now schedule my trips around haircuts and shaves. I now exclusively go to a place in midtown called Truman’s (www.trumans-nyc.com). This place is top notch in every way and do everything right based on the criteria above. Not your average barber and well worth the time and money. I highly recommend it.
The Art of Manliness has the coolest tips. Here's "How to Pick a Barber." Experts at Bump Patrol would even approve: http://bit.ly/axjWU
@corinnestruder http://bit.ly/3eqwgt
Unisex salons are called that because they make you look like either sex.
Men have no business getting their hair cut by women. If there was no straight razor involved (something only barbers are licensed to do) it isn’t a hair cut, it’ a “do.”
Sadly, barbers are hard to find in the suburbs. Want a barber? Go to the city or a small town.
I have come to realize that nobody really leaves a shop with a bad haircut. The stylist (or whoever) would be out of business in no time if customers left the shop a mess. It usually takes two weeks to find out how poorly your hair has been cut. So I get my hair cut every two weeks or so, using a barber and paying $10 – 14. Twice a month at that rate is till cheaper than a foo-foo shop, and by ... See all content
Don’t go bashing unisex shops to much. The local barber in my hometown isn’t that good. He has been doing it for over 30 years, but he is a little behind on the times. I get my hair cut at a little family owned unisex shop, The shop only has 5 employees including the owners, and in the 3 years I have been easily able to see the same person each time. He easily meets all the above criteria ... See all content
There is nothing like a barber cut, you can have a real conversation with the guy, he takes his time and the hot lather on your neck followed by a straight razor cut is the best.
Lee, I definitely think long hair can be manly. But I can understand how a lot of the old school barbers who lived through the 60’s might associate it with dirty hippies. I’m sure that will go away as they die off and new barbers come up through the ranks.
[...] How to Pick a Barber | The Art of Manliness By Brett & Kate McKay I've been keeping my hair long since I graduated high school, so finding a barber for me isn't really an option, and I find that a shame. I have this sinking feeling that even if I were to try and find a barber to get a good wet-shave, … The Art of Manliness – http://artofmanliness.com/ [...]
How To Pick A Barber http://bit.ly/LXcF2
Geat! I just recently found a wonderful barber but I didn’t go though any of these steps, most of the information I got was from people from work. I love the shop but it is no piece of cake, it’s about 2 hours for a haircut, and half of that is waiting for the barber. But, as long as I’m living in this area, I won’t be going anywhere else.
I used to go to a local barber by my college in Pensacola, Fl. It was such manly place hunting or speed channel on the tv, field stream magazines on the table and most importantly hair cut and straight razor shave for $10. Now I’m 27 and back home where all we have is foo foo shops. So I have my dad cut my hair, it sounds kind of kiddy but he does a great job and its free!
I’ve never had my hair professionally cut. My mom would use the electric clippers, and now I do it. I keep it pretty short. Its a pain in the ass because my hair doesnt grow nicely, all different ways making it impossible to do anything neat with. So I end up needing to use hair gel as the only way to comb it neatly. I would like to possibly try a professional cut to give me something that looks ... See all content
First things I look for in a barber shop are dead animal heads mounted on the wall and old guys doing the cutting!
http://www.americanprofile.com/article/20438.html
Seriously though, when I’m not shaving my head I keep my hair military-short: high and very, very tight. The Trophy Barber Shop in Baytown, TX and a little hole-in-the-wall in Houston called, oddly enough, “The
...
See all content
Get a referral. I don’t really think how his hair is cut in a sign that the person is a good barber. Many barbers don’t trim their own hair. Find someone with a style that you’d like, and ask them who they have as a barber. Surefire way not to have someone experimenting on your scalp.
I use a great shop near me called Caravellli’s. The shop has been around for more than a century and got new owners just before I started going there. Big Mike (the owner), Anthony (his son?) and Mike from Russia are great. I usually have either one of the Mike’s cut my hair (not a lot so it’s a case of “mow it Mike”), but I’ve also had Anthony cut it and while he’s ... See all content
The unisex stylists are not for me anymore. Sure you can ask for a particular stylist or you can make an appointment for your favorite. But for my summer haircut, a simple buzz, the stylist is a bit pricey and overkill. So, I went to a barber shop in Rockledge PA called Rita’s barber shop. Rita is a Russian immigrant and she IS a barber.It was at Rita’s that I was re-introduced to the straight ... See all content
I was in the Army Band years ago, so had to have a neat haircut all the time. Even at PX prices, I felt it was too much to pay every week, so finally I bought some clippers and started doing it myself. With about 4 exceptions, I’ve been cutting my own hair since the 70s. As to those 4 exceptions, one was an emergency for a job interview, done by a female stylist, and she cut off so little hair ... See all content
Great post. Although I don’t use a barber anymore (not enough hair on the ol’ brain basket), I do actual miss the ritual. When I was just a kid, my Dad always cut my hair. Then, one day my Grandpa took me to a real barber shop – like a real man. I still remember the smells, the other men, all the guy talk, the whole experience. I guess those good “manly feelings” and bonding ... See all content
I’ve gone with what I believe is another legitimate option – I shave my head. It’s not for everyone, but if you have a nicely shaped head and “shave like your grandpa” it’s a real option. I shave every day, so I never have a bad haircut! I’ve consider getting a straight shave from a barber, thought finding a barber who does good straight shaves is even more ... See all content
Be careful about just walking into any place and trusting your hair to whomever is available. I once spent a week looking like Lloyd from Dumb and Dumber because I didn’t shop around more.
Lee….. there is nothing unmanly about long hair (provided it is maintained and kept clean). Anyone who says long hair is unmanly, is less of a man.
It’s tough to find barbers who can take care of us long-haired gents. I had to swap my barber (who was fantastic in all other respects) for a woman’s stylist who could manage my shoulder-length curls… I miss the barbershop experience.
How to Pick a Barber | The Art of Manliness: This kind of attention to detail will likely carry over into the ha.. http://bit.ly/FXc8E
I moved to Washington, DC 4 years ago, and for the first 6 months, bounced from bad haircut to bad haircut – as I found the best option for testing a barber, was to sit in his chair. I wish I head these guidelines then! But I’ve since found a great barber in a shop just a few blocks from home. She does a great job, knows what I want, and honestly gives the best cut I’ve had in my ... See all content
Great article! I am the son of a barber and I used to shine shoes in his shop as a boy. Dad warned me about the unisex shops 20yrs. ago and he was so right. Dad wore a suit & tie every day, knew all of his customers personally and told the greatest jokes in the world! I got my haircuts in the kitchen until he died. Had a difficult time finding someone after and found a retired 70 year old barber ... See all content
I have a feeling I’m going to be in the vast minority on this, but I’ve got to pipe my voice up anyway, just because I’m a stubborn cuss like that.
I’ve been keeping my hair long since I graduated high school, so finding a barber for me isn’t really an option, and I find that a shame. I have this sinking feeling that even if I were to try and find a barber to
...
See all content
How to Pick a Barber http://bit.ly/5WaaS
You don’t pick your barber at my shop. One guy consistently gives bad haircuts and I dread when I walk in and he’s up to bat.
There is a shop in Boston that tries to look very old school (but isn’t – it’s kind of hip). The haircutsa are good but expensive. They do throw in a beer.
The best couple of haircuts I’ve had were done by barbers who did the ENTIRE job with a straight-razor and a comb (and I’m not talking about shaving down to my scalp). Any barber who can do that has my highest recommendation!
About ten years ago, I landed in the barber’s chair of a quiet, Bosnian war refugee at the local barber shop and, 25 minutes later, I had received one of the best haircuts of my life. As time went on, I realized this guy was good – in a shop with 6-8 barbers working at once, some of them would sit idle while “my” barber would have a handful of men (and even older women!) waiting ... See all content
how2: pick a barber http://artofmanliness.com/OIps
Shaun
I’m in the same boat.
I started shaving my head a couple of years back and it’s a 2minute ritual when I get in the shower now.
What I have done in the past, is to ask a barber if he (a she in a couple of cases – she knew what she was doing, I must say) could shave my head with a straight-razor.
I must actually go do that again, it’s
...
See all content
Shaun
I’m in the same boat.
I started shaving my head a couple of years back and it’s a 2minute ritual when I get in the shower now.
What I have done in the past, is to ask a barber if he (a she in a couple of cases – she knew what she was doing, I must say) could shave my head with a straight-razor.
I must actually go do that again, it’s
...
See all content
For an at-a-glance way of measuring how clean the place really is, look at the where they keep their combs — they should be in a glass tube that’s full of blue disinfectant. If not, have fun swapping filth with the greaser who just got out of the chair.
Excellent post (as always). Good points on how to find yourself a good barber and they work equally well for a good hairdresser for us ladies. Because it is no joke, you get a good one and you try your best to NEVER let them go. Cutting hair is a real bit of art, and you need a good artist to do a good job, no matter if you are a Man or a Woman!
Having a good barber who knows the contours of your noggin and how you like to have your hair cut is a definite plus, if you can find one.
I remember I moved to a new city a few years back, and I had to search for a new barber. Suffice it to say it took me nearly 2 1/2 years goinf through 1/2 dozen barbers before I found one that was both knowlegeable and experienced who could cut a decent
...
See all content
"Confident barbers will look you in the eye, smile, and give you a firm manly handshake" Yes. Yes they will. http://bit.ly/jSYv4
I haven’t been to a barber since I was a kid. “Chuck” treated me like a man even though I was still in cub scouts and he gave a mean flat-top.
Back when I was still at university, my wife started doing my haircuts to (forgive the pun) cut back on costs. Several years later, she still does it. I’m always happy with the results–she’s good. But, I’ll
...
See all content
My barber gives a great cut. I can really tell a difference between the salon men out there and the barber men…
Easily the worst part about moving to a new city is finding that new person to cut your hair.
A good barber cut is something I’ve really missed since I first shaved my head a few years back. Like the article says, why pay someone if you can do it yourself, right? Maybe I’ll go in for a shave one of these days…
Great post. I wish there were more real barbers around these days. I go to a new “barber” shop that is employed by all women, but cater exclusively to men. The leather chairs and flat screens are a nice touch, but it’s not the same.
How to Pick a Barber http://bit.ly/3y89w0
How to Pick a Barber:
Image from Joe Leland Unfortunately, many men today are missing out on the benefits of ha.. http://bit.ly/FXc8E
Ya I can attest to the “unisex salon” giving you a different cut every time, even if you request the same thing. It’s like a friggin’ crap shoot whether your hair comes out halfway acceptable or not.
I’m actually not sure I even know anyone who uses an actual barber these days, and the last time I tried one I appeared to be their youngest client by about 30 years
...
See all content
How to Pick a Barber: http://artofmanliness.com/2Nlm
Follow us
FEEDBACKTwitterFacebook-
DASHBOARD
PRO
- MY KEYWORDS
PRO
-
TOOLS & WIDGETS