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Permalink Reply by JonEdanger on August 5, 2012 at 5:44pm

1. Longer than you want it to be.

2. Ask around. Police/military/etc. are good sources of information.

3. One with a good barber. I used to live in Birmingham, AL. My barber there was a former Marine who went to barber college on the GI Bill after he returned from Korea. He opened at 0600 and there would be a line most mornings. He had an elderly black man who shined shoes and a European woman manicurist who would do your nails while the barber cut your hair. Great place. Try to find a barber who you can tell stories about.

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Permalink Reply by Chuck Knight on August 5, 2012 at 5:58pm

Ooh, a barbershop question!  I love barbershop questions!!

 

OK, the easiest way to begin this conversation is to ask you how you want your hair cut...into what style?  That will determine a lot of my answers.

 

Let's take your questions one at a time:

 

How long should my hair be before it warrants a haircut?

 

This one is pretty simple.  Most men with anything resembling a traditional man's haircut go with a frequency varying from weekly to monthly.  I keep my hair in an ultra-short flattop, and mine is recut every 3-4 days.  High maintenance, but it always looks perfect.

 

That's why I asked about your hair style...certain styles require more frequent maintenance than others.

 

How will I know when I have a good barber, before he does my hair?

 

In complete fairness, you won't.  Your first time is likely to be a bit unnerving, but it can also be exciting.  I enjoy "barber bouncing" to new and untested barbers, regularly, for that thrill.

 

Having said that, though, there are ways to mitigate the risk of the unknown.

 

You do this by seeing a sample of his work.  Since my hairstyle is favored by military/law enforcement, when I go searching for a barber, I ask the guys who wear similar styles for a recommendation.  I actually call the police department...general information line. 

 

When you go into the shop, look for obvious stuff.  Cleanliness is a good one.  Atmosphere also counts.  Hey, I like an old fashioned "Norman Rockwell" barbershop.  Look also at whether or not it's busy.  Good shops will usually be busy, often filled with older gentlemen and cops.  And, look at the haircuts they're being given...watch a couple.

 

Pay attention to the details.  A good barber, when fading, does not leave a line.  The appearance is completely flawless.  Pay attention, especially to the arches over the ears and the blocking/tapering at the nape of the neck.  Google has a lot of good "good/bad" haircut pairs available, so learn what to look for.

 

What types of barbershops are the best?

 

Real barbershops.

 

It may sound sexist, or hopelessly old fashioned, but I will not accept a lady barber.  Period.  I want "Floyd the Barber," not Flo.  I also especially enjoy a shop that still uses a razor to clean up the edges, rather than edgers.

 

As for personality, I want an aggressive, take charge barber who is not afraid to go short.  Timid barbers lack the confidence to do cuts well, in my experience...there's a reason they're timid.  You *want* someone confident, who will CUT your hair, instead of teasing it into compliance.

 

Enjoy your first trip to the barber.  It can be a wonderful place.

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Permalink Reply by Jack S on August 11, 2012 at 2:22pm

I have been in your shoes, Joshua.  Until a few years ago, I wore a self-given crew cut, so I was unsure how to find a good barbershop when I wanted to wear longer hair again.  

I'll answer your questions from the perspective of someone with thin, straight hair and a traditional side-part haircut.

1.  Typically it seems that folks get a haircut once a month, and I am no exception.  Start out with this frequency and adjust as necessary.

2.  The best thing you can do to find a good shop is to ask a friend, neighbor, or coworker -- one with a nice haircut, of course.  Google maps reviews tend to spotty, so otherwise you just have to get out there and explore.

3.  Any shop is just fine if the conversation flows easy and, more importantly, you can get a good looking haircut without paying too much money.  I'd have to disagree with Chuck about seeing a lady barber.  Mine does a better job than any man ever has.

Here is one last piece of advice that I only offer only because you've never been to a barbershop before:  don't forget to tip.  Many barbers won't ask.

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Permalink Reply by Chuck Knight on August 11, 2012 at 3:49pm

 I'd have to disagree with Chuck about seeing a lady barber.  Mine does a better job than any man ever has.

 

I never said to avoid lady barbers...only that I prefer male barbers.

 

Yesterday, I was in a town where the only barbershop was "manned" by 3 lovely women.  They're renowned for their aggressive military styles, and are even recommended by the local Police Chief.

 

Women can cut hair just as well as men.

 

The idea is to find someplace where you feel safe and confident.

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Permalink Reply by Betz on August 15, 2012 at 11:19am

Use yelp to look up a local barber.  It's a pretty useful tool for reviews. 

Don't worry about not knowing what to do.  I just went in for my first trip to the barber.  He asked me how short I wanted it and I told him I was trying a new hairstyle (classic side parted tight and tapered look) and I simply asked his opinion.  He cut my hair, did a great job, and I can't wait to go back!

I'll never go to supercuts again!

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Permalink Reply by Chuck Knight on August 15, 2012 at 8:54pm

It's been over a week.  Joshua, have you found a barber, yet?

 

My flat was getting shaggy...hadn't been cut since Sunday, so I got it freshened up, tonight.  Twice a week, like clockwork.

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Permalink Reply by Joe B. on August 15, 2012 at 10:09pm

It took me over a year to find a barber that I liked.  I visited dozens of barber shops before I found the one I regularly go to.  When I started my quest for a barber, I basically did the same thing at every shop.  I'd sit down in the chair, tell the barber I comb my hair in a pompadore and I want it long and full on top and tappered on the sides and the back.  Some barbers wouldn't even know what a pompadore is, so that ruled them out.  Can't have someone cut your hair if they can't visualize what you want.  After that, it was all about which one cut it best.  Some didn't take the time and seemed to rush.  Some just weren't very good at cutting hair.  But they were not all bad.  Some shops were not very nice and just rude.  Then I found Ed!  An older gentlemen that happily greeted me when I came in the door.  I told him how I wanted my hair and he was so excited to cut it.  Saying how he loves giving those "old school" haircuts and doesn't get to do them often.  So I sat in the chair and he went to work.  Taking his time, making sure everything looked good, especially when it came to tappering the sides and back.  Now after going to him for the last few years, he is always happy to see me.  And if it's not too busy, he use a straight razor around my ears and the back of my neck.  He says he only does that for select clients. 

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