Thread: Barbering ?

Since I started wet shaving with a straight razor I find myself thinking of the old fashion Barbers, and their equipment, and thinking I would think it would be cool to be a BARBER. My question is, has anyone else ever thought this way???

It worked the opposite way for me. I am a hobbyist barber and it got me thinking it would be great to shave myself with a traditional straight.

We do have a few professional barbers on SRP.
One or more of them will surely chime in with their experiences, good and bad

I definitely have more interest in old barbers and vintage barber photos and the like. I also enjoy talking to my barber, a straight shaver himself, quite a bit more.

But I cut myself far too much to ever be trusted on someone's throat. I could probably take the shears to someone's head but if you want some fancy flat top or executive cut you'd have to go elsewhere. LOL

I was offered an apprenticeship by a barber friend in NJ back when iron work was slow in the '80s. Chose to learn to tattoo instead. A barber is on his feet all day, pretty much without much walking. Not great for circulation. Hairs that they cut actually go through their clothes and sometimes into the skin, causing some problems.

In the old days there were a lot of shops but, from what my barber tells me now, the number of shops has increased to where it is even harder to make a $. I guess it depends on where you are. It ain't the easiest piece of work AFAIK, when you consider the overall scheme of things.

Business is flourishing here in california. Barbering has become a mainstream profession where people are making very good money if they promote themselves. A buddy of mine cuts a few of the dodgers hair at their homes.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I was offered an apprenticeship by a barber friend in NJ back when iron work was slow in the '80s. Chose to learn to tattoo instead. A barber is on his feet all day, pretty much without much walking. Not great for circulation. Hairs that they cut actually go through their clothes and sometimes into the skin, causing some problems.

In the old days there were a lot of shops but, from what my barber tells me now, the number of shops has increased to where it is even harder to make a $. I guess it depends on where you are. It ain't the easiest piece of work AFAIK, when you consider the overall scheme of things.

Originally Posted by dexter90723

Business is flourishing here in california. Barbering has become a mainstream profession where people are making very good money if they promote themselves. A buddy of mine cuts a few of the dodgers hair at their homes.

My long term barber is a 2nd generation barber taught by his father. He is originally from Cuba, and around 60 years old. Been cutting my hair for a decade now. His shop used to be busy with 4 chairs and everyone making good $. Last couple of years it was just him alone. Biz fell off that much.

Closed his shop a few months ago and now rents a chair from another shop across the street. He works a few days a week. I've been paying $8.00 for a haircut + a $2.00 tip , for years now. Senior discount. His haircuts aren't good, but they're cheap. I found years ago that the difference between a good haircut and a bad one is about 2 weeks.

Oh see thats a big difference. The good barbers out here are getting 15 per cut and me personally i leave a 5 dollor tip. easier to just give a 20

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

My long term barber is a 2nd generation barber taught by his father. He is originally from Cuba, and around 60 years old. Been cutting my hair for a decade now. His shop used to be busy with 4 chairs and everyone making good $. Last couple of years it was just him alone. Biz fell off that much.

Closed his shop a few months ago and now rents a chair from another shop across the street. He works a few days a week. I've been paying $8.00 for a haircut + a $2.00 tip , for years now. Senior discount. His haircuts aren't good, but they're cheap. I found years ago that the difference between a good haircut and a bad one is about 2 weeks.

Originally Posted by dexter90723

Oh see thats a big difference. The good barbers out here are getting 15 per cut and me personally i leave a 5 dollor tip. easier to just give a 20

I used to be a high roller too ......... fixed income and inflation changed that.

Yup) I try to think like an old school barber every day. I feel very fortunate that my profession and my hobby work hand in hand.