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Comment by kevin webster on May 7, 2013 at 11:59am

I remember going to lelands downtown for my first hair cut with my father. He is the man that cut my fathers hair for years and now was going to cut mine. he seemed really nice and did a pretty good job as well.He has since passed on but I still go to the same place as now his son takes care of me. 

Comment by James Deeds on April 23, 2013 at 12:09pm

I think this is my first post here, but I always read the posts and really enjoy them. So here goes. I took my wife to a salon Friday. While I waited a lady there saw my feet. I had sandals on. After about a half hour of her and my wife nagging me she did a foot bath and exfoliate. She used some kind of menthol rub on my feet. It actually felt great. Anyway, there's a barber shop near by so I got my head and face shaved. Brought back memories of when I was a kid. The barber shop smell, the domino table, everything. Barber shops were kind of on their way out back then. Glad to see them coming back. I'll be going back to that place. Not the salon though... Too much girl talk for me

Comment by Rob Hopper on April 3, 2013 at 11:42pm

I remember the first time I went to an actual BARBER shop. We've all been to Mrs. Dim-Sum's chinese-ran "barbershop" and walked out with a less than desireable haircut..

 

I was about 20 or so, driving my beat up piece of shit baja-bug around town when I saw a barber shop. I had always heard about how tattoo and barber shops always ran together, and I was (and still am) into that whole scene - the old school barber and a couple badass artists working out of his spare closets. So I decided to check it out.

 

I walked in and saw the place was filled with all men. Some my age, a few older, and even an old fogey or two sitting in the leather chairs smoking a cigar and reading the paper. It was like a scene out of a movie!

 

I was told to have a seat and wait for my turn. I sat on the most comfortable leather couch. The place had a distinct aroma of talc and other chemicals. There were a stack of magazines on the coffee table offering everything from sports magazines, to cars, even porn!  This place was just for men! I was hooked. As I sat down I was offered a beer, though I told them I was only 20 they just kinda shrugged at me.. Of course I accepted the generous offer.. didnt want to be rude right?

 

Once it was my turn, the man asked me what I wanted, offered me a cigar and turned on the tv to some boxing. He asked me about my job, what I want to do when I grow up, gave me shit, and showed me dirty pictures of his wife on his cell phone. He then hacked away what little stubble I had at the time on my face and wrapped my head in a hot towel.

 

It was to this day, the best haircut/barbershop experience in my life. Yes it cost more than your normal supercuts.. but it was SO worth it!  I cant wait to get back to the US and find another just like it.

Comment by Dann Anthony on March 15, 2013 at 7:02pm

I tell all my male friends who will listen - buy your toiletries from barber supply wholesalers, because -

1) you save $ hundreds a year

2) you get professional-grade razors, blades and clippers that you won't find elsewhere

3) you can get hard-to-find stuff like Wildroot Cream Oil and

4) you get all those great scents from a barbershop, like Clubman Talc (and a horsehair neck brush to apply it) and Osage Rub.

My favorite is Williamsport Barber Supply, and a pal prefers Appleton Barber Supply.

$3.95 buys you a 16-oz jar of shave cream, which lasts about three months.

For about $50 a year, I get all the blades, talc, shave cream and hair product I need for the next year. But I wind up spending on fun-to-have stuff like those neck dusters, barber towels.

Where else can you find cool razors like this one?

 

Comment by Nolan Poulson on January 16, 2013 at 1:42pm

@Brandon.  To know if a barbershop is right for you ask yourself these questions.

1.  Currently when you get a haircut, who is in the waiting area, men, women, children, or a mix?  If mixed do you like that? If you answered women, mixed and no, then you need a barbershop.
2. If a woman currently cutters your hair, is there a lack of conversation?  If and when there is conversation is uncomfortable and unable to relate? If you answered yes, you need a barber shop.
3. Do you struggle to explain how you want your hair cut?  Do you feel like when you try to explain it that the girl cutting your hair has no idea what you are talking about? If you answered yes, you need a barbershop.
4. Do you feel that you are just another number at that establishment, and they’re goal is to get you out the door quickly? IF yes, you need a barbershop.
5. Do you walk away from your hair cut unsatisfied because of any of the following reasons; over paid, uncomfortable atmosphere/experience, felt like a fish out of water, poor quality.  If yes, go to a barbershop.
6. Do you want a place that is for men, the conversation is usually about sports, hunting, outdoor activities, or other men’s interest topics?  Go to a barbershop.

While this is just a quick way to determine if you should try a barbershop, it is pretty inclusive of how many men feel.  I encourage you to try a barbershop, a REAL barbershop.  As far as the discussion about race, I posted a few weeks ago, that I have noticed that there are racial trends with barbers and they style in which they are proficient.  THIS IS A GENERAL OBSERVATION AND NOT DEFINITIVE OF ALL BARBERS IN ANY WAY.  White barbers generally are better at traditional haircuts, black barbers are usually great at fades and line ups, and Hispanic barbers tend to be good a line ups and custom designs.  That being said the barbershop I go to is operated by two white brothers, and I am usually the only other white guy in there.  Don’t worry about race in the barbershop, because once you step in you are part of a brotherhood!  Also there while there is a lot of discussion about barbershop being specifically for short, buzzed, or military style haircuts, this is not true.  Barbers can and do cut ALL MEN”S STYLES.  I personally get a traditional haircut that allows me to have some length on top, but I also get that same style a bit shorter once a month when I have to go a to drill weekend (Army).  The barbershop is for men, not specific styles. Go try a barbershop, but also realize that you might need to try a few before you find the one that is a good fit.

Comment by Bill Carr on January 16, 2013 at 1:34pm

Totally agree.  A friend of mine got a haircut at Floyds in Austin and was very impressed, but IMHO, the specific barber is more important, especially at a place like this, since we're talking about an artistic service, not a mass produced product.

Now the potentially awkward question: which license does he have.

Comment by Nolan Poulson on January 16, 2013 at 1:17pm

@ Matt Kelly, be careful with Floyds 99.  I have never been, but in my opinion they are not a true barbershop.  It is even stated in they're logo "For men and women".  Anytime a "barbershop" advertises for men and women, it is probably more along the lines of a family salon.  I have heard mixed review about Floyds, and this is meant to be more of a clarification.  Floyds seems to be more of a higher end family salon for 2 reason.  One they cater to men and women (barbershops, while able to cut women's hair they are geared towards men). Two, a good indicator a a true barber shop is the Gender and Certification of the individuals cutting hair.  If a place is filled with women cutters, its a salon.  If the cutters are licensed cosmetologists then it is a salon not a a barber shop.  

I am not saying these are bad places but they are not barbershops, and they are not geared towards a mans specific needs.  FYI

Comment by Matt Kelley on January 16, 2013 at 12:04pm

Bill and Liam.  Great comments.  I will likely start with Floyds 99 as a few of my coworkers have recommended specific barbers there.  When I was in Houston, there were a few true barber shops that were near the business district downtown.  I haven't found anything like that in Dallas.  I'll start with Floyds.

Comment by Bill Carr on January 16, 2013 at 12:02pm

Hi Matt,

I'm more partial to the classic haircut you're talking about as well--and it can be tricky to find a barber who can execute that well (if you were in Austin, it would be a different story!).  With so many shops having websites (or facebook pages) with a Gallery of photos, you can often get an idea ofwhat to expect.  I'd never try a new place unless I either had a personal recommendation or had the chance to see examples of their work.  Yelp is a great tool.  Floyds 99 has a good reputation and they've got a couple of Dallas locations.  I think you're going to get barbers with the most experience with these cuts near large college campuses or areas with a higher "hipster" presence.  I also agree with Brandon that ethnic shops tend to taper/fade quite differently and typically create a very geometric hairline (which I dislike and would avoid at all costs).

Comment by Liam S. on January 16, 2013 at 11:47am

I tend towards Draper styles, but won't be able to help you in Dallas. With that said, asking for recommendations is a good idea - but ask people with hair styles you want. Look for barbershops near finance/business districts - fewer fades/military cuts. Probably a bit spendier, but it is what it is. 

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