How much does your barber charge for a cut? also service quesion..

[comfortablynumb]

Ever since moving to this small town I live in; I been looking for a barber, I can't take the chemical smells from hair dyes, nail polishes etc of those foo foo salons and chain hair places.

I finally found a barber today, he's been in business for quit some time from what I gather but charges $14 for just a cut. To me that seems like quit a lot of money for a Barber.

Also does your barber finish your neck with a straight edge? I declined the straight edge finish after seeing the razor was not cleaned and sanitized :eek: after the guy in front of me was done. Even more shocking was the can of foamy goop that was being used with just a finger .

So with all that said what do you pay for a cut?

[moses]

Honestly, $14 is an excellent price. Anywhere between $12 and $20 seems normal for a basic barbershop in my experience. Some barbers use electric clippers to finish the neck and burns, but I prefer they do it with a straight. And for that, I don't see anything wrong with canned goop with a finger. Nicer if they use a LatherKing so it's hot, but applying with a finger is what I would expect. Never seen a barber do something like whipping up lather with a brush just to shave the back of someone's neck.

[solloron]

Well its pretty hard to find a good barber...esp. in Boston where i live...i find myself paying a premium where ever i go...as for the straight edge...yea they do that...but they always clean it and then soak it in barbacide...so i pay between $13-$20...It sux but thats the way it is

[comfortablynumb]

Honestly, $14 is an excellent price. Anywhere between $12 and $20 seems normal for a basic barbershop in my experience. Some barbers use electric clippers to finish the neck and burns, but I prefer they do it with a straight. And for that, I don't see anything wrong with canned goop with a finger. Nicer if they use a LatherKing so it's hot, but applying with a finger is what I would expect. Never seen a barber do something like whipping up lather with a brush just to shave the back of someone's neck.

Heh I guess I wasn't thinking, was just strange to see them using canned stuff.

The most worrisome part was the not cleaning the blade, maybe he dunked the razor real quick in the babercide, but I didn't see that being done, looked like it was just wiped off and laid on a towel.

[texasPI]

I pay $5. Finish with a Charles Monsieur disposable on sideburns and neckline. They also use a Latherking and finish you off with Aspen aftershave(?) I have some at home but I'm not sure if that's it. Then a little Clubman talc on the neck duster and voila!:smile:

[comfortablynumb]

I pay $5. Finish with a Charles Monsieur disposable on sideburns and neckline. They also use a Latherking and finish you off with Aspen aftershave(?) I have some at home but I'm not sure if that's it. Then a little Clubman talc on the neck duster and voila!:smile:

Yea a disposable would really be ideal, I wish I could find a shop like that here :smile:

The one this shop used, was a real small one piece straight maybe 6" in length with a really small blade.

[Daves]

I pay $22.00 and she uses a small electric clipper on the back of my neck. She finishes me off with some Pinaud Clubman Talc.

I think $14.00 is a reasonable price.

DaveS

[-Devil-]

my shop uses the heated disp for foam ... and a straight that has replaceable blades ... i know the barber i go to, has about 5 of them. and after he is done it goes into the barb'cide ... and another comes out and is rinsed off ...

my place charges 12$ for a cut .. but i normally pay 20$

[indykramer]

I have to get a hair cut every week if not more so hair cuts in my town are kind of cheap and some "barbers" you need to stay clear from. The barber that i go to uses a dovette to shave my head until it starts to fade into my hair on the top of my head. he gives the best and he charges 8 bucks. You can get a hair cut on base for 4.50 but you may end up with a lop sided head i have had some really bad hair cuts but for 4.50 you cant expect much.

[Hoos]

$14 is very fair. I found a guy who would cut my hair for $25 when haircuts around here were going for $40 or more. Seriously. When he went out of business, I bought myself a Wahl clipper and now just do it myself.

But I clip everything down to 1/4 inch. No time to learn layering and feathering and all that crap. If I ever decide to let it grow out, I don't know what I'll do. :001_huh:

[comfortablynumb]

I bought myself a Wahl clipper and now just do it myself.


Heh, I have a Wahl Peanut, many a times I been tempted to whip it out and just shave my head with the #4 guard. I just like having some hair on my head :biggrin: so I haven't done it yet.

[St0ne]

I had a cut yesterday, it was actually the first time I've ever had it done at a Barber, it was $15AU thats $10 cheaper than a hairdresser here. I think he did do my neck with a disposable straight, it really didn't need any cream. It wasn't the best cut I've ever had but it was by far the fastest and cheapest and you won't be able to tell the difference in 2 weeks.

[Cigar Dan]

My barber charges $12 for a cut. I think it is a very good price. He cuts my hair with a combination of clippers and scissors. He shaves the back of my neck, trims my eyebrows, and finishes it off with a brief shoulder and neck massage.

I give him a $3 tip for a total cost of $15. I'm happy to pay it.

[PTurchan]

I noticed that barbers in town here, because it is a military town, tend to be impersonal and rush through your cut. I end up going to this barbershop that little know about because I have a very enjoyable experience: this experience runs me 20 dollars. She shaves the sides of my head with a two blade disposable and some edge shaving cream, but she does do a nice warm towel prep.

[analog_kid]

$21. I go to a higher end salon. I think I pay too much, but I'm a not a people person and if I'm comfortable with someone cutting my hair and they do a good job, I'll probably never leave. Which is why I've been going to the same girl for about 5 years now.

She does my neck with a trimmer, and does a very through job.

[Ticman]

Been going to the same place for 30 years. Shampoo, style and blow dry now costs $28 but i am very pleased with the cut. so $14 for a haircut is a bargain if you like the end result.

[Ltltony]

$12 for the cut and a straight save on the neck, around ears, and sideburns with cream from a latherking. Then some coachman AS and some talc on a brush and Bob's your uncle.

[mulepackin]

My barber charges $11 for about the last 15 years. I pay him $15. He trims neck and side burns with electric clippers. I usually have to ask for my eyebrows to get a going over. Now I'm thinking I may have to start asking for my ears (just inside) to get some attention too.

[daniel.boone]

$15 with wash, I think it's $12 for just a cut. I leave $5 for a tip. I get a straight razor shave there once in a while. I don't remember exactly what the shave cost but he does a great job. Plenty of prep, no burn, lasts for 2 days.

[red2]

$21 for the haircut. He uses a replaceable blade straight razor on my neck, over the ears, and sideburns. Uses a latherking. He puts the shaving cream on with his finger. I haven't paid attention to the blade changing sanitizing. But he is pretty anal about things. He has lots of awards from Barber competitions. He makes a big deal about doing things just so. He will also trim my goatee and eyebrows and remove hair from my ears and nose if needed. All within 30 minutes.

Now for an extra $21 and and another 30 minutes, he will do a shave. Replaceable blade. Rubs the lather in working it into the stubble (and I imagine detecting or remembering the grain pattern.) Does a hot towel treatment for two minutes. Then does it again for another 2 minutes. Then does two passes. He finishes up with Pinuad Clubman aftershave and Pinuad talc with neck duster.

It really like a trip to a past I wasn't around for the first time.

[comfortablynumb]

Wow seeing what some of you tip, I feel cheep now :( I only left $1.00, but really all he did was cut my hair (very quickly) and brushed me off (still being out of work, funds are really low). No shampoo, no splash down, no combing, nothing... I was feeling that the $14 was already a bit to much money for the level of service that I received.

The cut come out good though and he was friendly enough, I will probably go back, I just hope he wasn't offended by the tip :confused:

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/292/dscn1924jb4.jpg

[murchmb]

I pay $24 plus a $5 tip. After I sip on some free beer during my usually short wait, my barber(ess) starts with a meticulous trimmer and scissors cut. This is followed by:

- Hot towel over the face/eyes while she shampoos.
- Blow dry and style
- Disposable straight razor (out of Barbacide) w/ Woody's products.
- Neck and shoulder massage.

Well worth the $29.

She gave me a free shave one time. She used a disposable safety razor and Woody's products. Pretty much an irritation, BBS shave, but not something I would pay $25 for. At least often. It was quite relaxing I must admit.

[TromboneGuy]

There's a barber in Norman, Oklahoma that does all that. Cut, shave the neck with a straight, finish with talc or some clubman.

The price? $9. And if you try to tip them they won't take it.

With that said, there's nowhere like that in Wichita that I've found. I pay $22 plus whatever I feel like tipping that day.

[Roman414]

Eight bucks, plus a two dollar tip. Around here there doesn't seem to be much relationship between price and quality. I have had a very mediocre $40 haircut and very decent $8 ones. My only complaint about this barber, she can't talk and cut hair at the same time. One of her friends says something to her, she stops cutting my hair while she answers. I never know how long my haircut is going to take.

[comfortablynumb]

Eight bucks, plus a two dollar tip. Around here there doesn't seem to be much relationship between price and quality. I have had a very mediocre $40 haircut and very decent $8 ones. My only complaint about this barber, she can't talk and cut hair at the same time. One of her friends says something to her, she stops cutting my hair while she answers. I never know how long my haircut is going to take.

O that just reminded me this guy stopped numerous times to take phone calls, that was kinda annoying..

I'm going to keep my eye out for another barber just to compare, I heard there was another one somewhere round here. If I can't find them there are some bigger cities around, but it will definitely be an all day trip just to get a cut :lol:

[vcardona]

Sounds pretty normal to me. Well except for the unclean blade part.

[snakethejake]

Hair Cut: Free for the last 5 years . . .

Just buy a decent clipper (cordless and waterproof if you got the money), leave the guards off and shave away. A decent size handheld mirror to check the back of your head is nice . . . make sure you don't miss anything. :eek:

Its my favorite weekly ritual . . . feels nice and clean after a shower, and the ladies love to rub a freshly shaved head! :w00t:

You'll save a crap load of money and look clean and fresh all the time. And its so much simpler, no fuss and easy to keep up.

Snake

[jramire2]

$12 + a $3 tip for a haircut from an old barber right down the street (guy reminds me of Bob Ross). For $15 on a Saturday morning I get;

usually less than a 5 minute wait
a nice consistent haircut every 3 weeks
sides and back finished out w/a disposable straight razor and hot lather from his latherking
a quick splashdown w/some drugstore brand hair/aftershave tonic (think it's an OS knockoff)

He also charges $12 for a shave, haven't got around to gettting one though.

Sometimes I go to my wifes stylist ($18 including tip) who does a really really good job (no straight razor though) but she is always behind and it ends up taking me an hour and a half for a haircut. Who's got time for that?

[ratcheer]

I am currently charged $20 for a cut, shampoo, and blow dry. I add a $4 tip.

Tim

[uatrmpt]

$13 for scissors/clipper cut, finished off with a disposable straight and hot lather from the LatherKing. Get a wipe-down with a warm towel (neck and head -- to get the stray hair off), then some talc. I leave a $2 tip for an even $15.

Much better than the places at the mall.

[Confuzius]

$15 plus $3 tip for scisors and clipper cut, then disposable straight around the ears and back of the neck with the magic hot lather machine and she'll finish it off with whatever styling goop is nescecary, although I generally opt out as I like to go home and shower after a haircut. From a woman at a local barber shop. If I go on friday after work more often then not I get offered free beer :-)

I used to go to a salon type place when I had my 6" exaggerated elvis pompador that would be $24 +tip for the same thing, plus shampoo and blow dry.

[stevensj2]

My last haircut cost me $37.

Which I didn't mind so much, as it comes with a scalp and shoulder massage, hot towels, etc.

But now that I am wet shaving, and feel like I am going to an expensive barber every morning while I'm browsing my own selection to decide which soap to use, I've decided the $37 at the fancy salon won't be happening any more.

It would be cool if there was a recommended barber directory for each state and/or city.

[Randy]

I usually pay $12 for a cut at a place that does both mens and womens hair. There's no telling if the same person will be there to cut your hair the next time or not, and there certainly is no barbershop ambiance. They use an electric razor on my neck, no vacuum or talc, and away you go. It's really not at all like when I was a kid and the same barbers were there for 20 years running, at the same chairs, and you didn't even have to say what you wanted, they just knew you and what you liked. It's a hair cut, and nothing else.

That said, there's this barbershop down the road a bit that looks very nice. They offer memberships of different levels that include so many haircuts, shaves, etc per month but you can walk in a get service too. The place looks wonderful and smells even better! Red leather upholstered 'classic' barbers chairs, straight razor shaves, the whole nine yards. Cuts are something on the order of $20 or so, and I'm not sure how much a shave is. I've been hinting to the wife for some time that the perfect birthday gift would be a once-a-month cut membership so it that works out I'll tell you how much it costs :wink:

For my part though, while I'm usually willing to pay more for the kind of barbershop experience that I grew up with, as long as the cut is good I suppose I would consider $12 a decent price for a haircut regardless of where the shop was as long as it was clean...

- R

[fatt_tony]

$12 + a $3 tip for a haircut from an old barber right down the street (guy reminds me of Bob Ross). For $15 on a Saturday morning I get;

usually less than a 5 minute wait
a nice consistent haircut every 3 weeks
sides and back finished out w/a disposable straight razor and hot lather from his latherking
a quick splashdown w/some drugstore brand hair/aftershave tonic (think it's an OS knockoff)

He also charges $12 for a shave, haven't got around to gettting one though.

Sometimes I go to my wifes stylist ($18 including tip) who does a really really good job (no straight razor though) but she is always behind and it ends up taking me an hour and a half for a haircut. Who's got time for that?

Just were exactly is this barber, I seem to live in your area kinda? And I have been looking for one that does shaves. I found one in the H.E.B. area off 121 or 183 called BARBERSVILLE Barber Garage, that is pretty cool.

[nFernoEdge]

I pay 8.75 on the Air Base I live at. Being in the middle of nowhere Germany means I have little option other than the barbershop on base which does the clippers for the neck -_-

[ps49556n]

A good barber is one of those services that is very tough to find one to your liking....here in NYC I have a very tough time finding what is for me an excellent barber...Most barbers charge anywhere from $10-20 for a haircut and I usually give a $5 or more tip depending on the service and cut. Currently where I live I have a number of barbers right on my street but they are IMO not very good. Where I used to live in another part of the city I found my favorite barber but I do not like going to that section of town...thinking about it now it probably is a good idea rather than settling for an average cut.... Nothing gets me in a worse mood than getting a sub-par haircut which is why I am growing my hair for a while.

[lsu_tigerfan]

I have a wahl home pro and the wife cuts the hair on top after I run the clippers to get the length on the sides and back. So as my wife cuts my hair, you could say my cuts cost nothing, or that they are expensive, depending on your view of marriage.
When I was going, I would go to the local older gentleman barber in town who actually gave me my first hair cut. He offers shampoo and cut, neck massage, warm lather straight shave, and even shoe polish! Truly a rare barber. He charges $7 per each service.

[Aevum]

8 euros, in a traditional mans barber, i also noticed they use bic DE blades for the disposable blade straights they use for touch ups, they cant use proper straights due to hygiene issues,

[aus71383]

I pay $10 total every week - 8.85 keep the change thanks see you next week bye! The military will do that to you. Its ok though - I'm married so it doesn't matter much if I get a bad haircut! It is funny to go in there every week and say the same thing, and every time get something a little different. I think maybe I'll take a picture if they ever get it right, and then I'll have that to show them what I want.... If I had real hair like a normal person and got haircuts once every month or so I wouldn't mind paying more, but since I have to get one every week I go the cheap route.

Austin

[urr-lord]

$8,haircut,brush,finish with his mix if jeris tonic and lucky tiger witch hazel.

[rayzor]

$30.00 bucks for me & my daughter, it's been a tradition since she was 2, for a cut, shampoo, and all the gossip you can hold:001_smile

[Vinny Bobo]

I was paying $ 40 for a haircut. Then I got smart and started going to Louie's Barber Shop, now I only pay $10 and it looks just as good. It's short now but it looks good.

[TstebinsB]

A haircut is $10 + $3 tip. My $13 total is a great price. My barber uses very sharp Andis electric trimmers for the whole cut. He might use scissors here and there. He used to do my beard with the trimmers.:rolleyes: That was before wetshaving, of course! :wink: He'll finish up with some special hair spray that I can't find anywhere and apply an after shave splash around the hair line for the entire head.

It's great because the most I've waited for a cut was 10 minutes. He cuts it exactly the way I want it. If he makes a mistake, I let him know and he takes care of it. No one else touches my hair.

As for gossip, I go to a Haitian barbershop. Every guy knows the President and the General personally, has been to the Presidential Palace numerous times, has a woman that'll make you change positions:blushing::tongue_sm, and could live like a playboy back in Haiti, if they wanted to go back that is. But who would want to go back to that! :rolleyes:

[Nancy Boy]

15 bucks. I pay him 20. Traditional barber in his 30s. Knows my scalp backwards and forewards. Uses a straight edge to do my sideburns and neck. He's the best.

[barberofdeville]

The barber industry is a dissapating due to lack of people going to school to do it. Reason one why go to barber school if when you get out all your making is 60 or 70 % of 12 a cut when you can go to cosmotology school and charge 20 to 25 at a minimum or do color and highlights up to 150 an hour and half.

It is a highly trained profession (in most states you have to continue your education to learn new styles and methods which is expensive) we pay self employment tax, have to pay for our own insurance, products, etc. Our shears so we dont leave split ends with dull ones can be 100 bucks or more, clippers arnt cheap either. As far as shaves go 30 mins for a good shave means we pass up 2 haircuts to do so. Very few people can do a good shave and make it a pleasant experiance and such a comodity at seven dollers is very low. I charge 25 at my shop for a cut (10 for head shaves just because i like doing them) haircut runs about 30 minutes because i want your hair perfect add a shave at 25 to 30 minutes so an hour of my time making sure you look good and feel like a million bucks. Now take in effect i wont see you for up to a month maybe longer. So yes 14 is a steal (literally) so next time you visit them and they give you top notch service remember these things and that 18% is standard meaning for standard service not top notch service. Pay what you think its worth if you get a 10 doller haircut that was perfect and they treated you well do as you would that server you tip 10 on a 20 doller meal because the service was better than good. Just like the server or bartender you give extra too remembers you next time with extra service waiting and puts you ahead of others hook them up when you can afford it. We pay the same gas prices you do and may only make 30 dollers some days to come cut your hair.

[comfortablynumb]

The barber industry is a dissapating due to lack of people going to school to do it. Reason one why go to barber school if when you get out all your making is 60 or 70 % of 12 a cut when you can go to cosmotology school and charge 20 to 25 at a minimum or do color and highlights up to 150 an hour and half.

It is a highly trained profession (in most states you have to continue your education to learn new styles and methods which is expensive) we pay self employment tax, have to pay for our own insurance, products, etc. Our shears so we dont leave split ends with dull ones can be 100 bucks or more, clippers arnt cheap either. As far as shaves go 30 mins for a good shave means we pass up 2 haircuts to do so. Very few people can do a good shave and make it a pleasant experiance and such a comodity at seven dollers is very low. I charge 25 at my shop for a cut (10 for head shaves just because i like doing them) haircut runs about 30 minutes because i want your hair perfect add a shave at 25 to 30 minutes so an hour of my time making sure you look good and feel like a million bucks. Now take in effect i wont see you for up to a month maybe longer. So yes 14 is a steal (literally) so next time you visit them and they give you top notch service remember these things and that 18% is standard meaning for standard service not top notch service. Pay what you think its worth if you get a 10 doller haircut that was perfect and they treated you well do as you would that server you tip 10 on a 20 doller meal because the service was better than good. Just like the server or bartender you give extra too remembers you next time with extra service waiting and puts you ahead of others hook them up when you can afford it. We pay the same gas prices you do and may only make 30 dollers some days to come cut your hair.

Well it's been a while since I wrote this thread, my problem is, I been to the guy a couple times now. He doesn't provide that "top notch" service in my opinion. Last couple times I been he just stops cutting and looks around the shop like he is bored, also the last time I was there he rushed the cut to get to the next patron that walked in, usually he doesn't spend more then 10 minutes anyway. I tip the guy decent when I go even though I don't have the money, so I don't think it's anything I've done. Also his level of cleanliness leave much to be desired, I don't think using a straight on numerous patrons with out cleaning it and sanitizing it is very cool, so I always ask him to skip the straight finish and just buzz my neck. Once he ignored that request and left my neck untouched.

I've been scanning the area and looks like there are 2 other Barbers in my area, so I'm going to check one of them out next and compare there service to what I've been getting thus far.

I wouldn't really mind spending $20 dollars, if I knew I was going to get a decent hair cut, decent conversation with the barber, and they are a clean shop.

[bishop]

My barber charges $12 for a cut and I tip him $2-3 depending on how we're doing financially. The barber shop is in the first floor of the Clemson House, built in the 50's as the campus hotel (I went to Clemson and live about 10 minutes away now) but is now a dormitory. The barber shop has been running since the hotel opened.

My barber never has to ask what I want. He knows. I get it trimmed and thinned, then he shaves around the ears and the back of the neck with an injector straight and canned foam out of a warm lather machine. He used Aqua Velva on my neck for a long time until I figured out that it was breaking me out, so he bought some witch hazel to use just for me.

[barberofdeville]

Well it's been a while since I wrote this thread, my problem is, I been to the guy a couple times now. He doesn't provide that "top notch" service in my opinion. Last couple times I been he just stops cutting and looks around the shop like he is bored, also the last time I was there he rushed the cut to get to the next patron that walked in, usually he doesn't spend more then 10 minutes anyway. I tip the guy decent when I go even though I don't have the money, so I don't think it's anything I've done. Also his level of cleanliness leave much to be desired, I don't think using a straight on numerous patrons with out cleaning it and sanitizing it is very cool, so I always ask him to skip the straight finish and just buzz my neck. Once he ignored that request and left my neck untouched.

I've been scanning the area and looks like there are 2 other Barbers in my area, so I'm going to check one of them out next and compare there service to what I've been getting thus far.

I wouldn't really mind spending $20 dollars, if I knew I was going to get a decent hair cut, decent conversation with the barber, and they are a clean shop.

I didnt mean to come across as it is the persons fault getting the service. It is the barbers fault for charging less and not caring. 20 is a great and fair price if the barber does a good job, pleasant, godd convo, sanitary, neck shave with fresh blade,hits the ears and brows, dusts neck, hits hair with blow dryer for loose hair and uses a lint roller on your neck and shirt. at 25 bucks should come with a shampoo and scalp massage. 3 to 5 buck tip is a good tip. for a buzz i recommend a 7 to 10 doller shop but for a good taper or medium length style its a crap shoot at 7 to 10. there are high end barber shops that look like salons that stay reasonable 20 to 25. sounds like he should get a fine and shouldnt charge more than 10 1 buck tip is what that deserves and should charge 6 bucks lol

[Isaias]

I do not charge myself :cool:

[bishop]

..dusts neck, hits hair with blow dryer for loose hair and uses a lint roller on your neck and shirt..

I don't know when my barbershop installed it, but it has a compressed air system running to each chair, and the barbers blow all the hair off with an air jet. Pretty loud.

[comfortablynumb]

I didnt mean to come across as it is the persons fault getting the service. It is the barbers fault for charging less and not caring. 20 is a great and fair price if the barber does a good job, pleasant, godd convo, sanitary, neck shave with fresh blade,hits the ears and brows, dusts neck, hits hair with blow dryer for loose hair and uses a lint roller on your neck and shirt. at 25 bucks should come with a shampoo and scalp massage. 3 to 5 buck tip is a good tip. for a buzz i recommend a 7 to 10 doller shop but for a good taper or medium length style its a crap shoot at 7 to 10. there are high end barber shops that look like salons that stay reasonable 20 to 25. sounds like he should get a fine and shouldnt charge more than 10 1 buck tip is what that deserves and should charge 6 bucks lol

I understand I hope my reply didn't come off as rude.

Basically I'm just looking to keep my hair medium length, I would like my sides cut tight yet he insists on bringing the buzzer out instead of scissoring the sides.

I been tipping him $2 dollars and paying $14 for the cut, he does dust my neck off with talc, but no scalp massage, no shampoo (don't really want that any way), no lint roll, and no splash of anything. I thought about contacting somebody about his lack of cleanliness but not sure who to contact, and I really don't want to come off as a jerk, but it is a health issue at the very least.

[barberofdeville]

I understand I hope my reply didn't come off as rude.

Basically I'm just looking to keep my hair medium length, I would like my sides cut tight yet he insists on bringing the buzzer out instead of scissoring the sides.

I been tipping him $2 dollars and paying $14 for the cut, he does dust my neck off with talc, but no scalp massage, no shampoo (don't really want that any way), no lint roll, and no splash of anything. I thought about contacting somebody about his lack of cleanliness but not sure who to contact, and I really don't want to come off as a jerk, but it is a health issue at the very least.

contact the state barber board. He could really cause some damage to public health not cleaning his razor with atleast alcohol after each person i would contact them. and i didnt take it as rude thought i may have been lol

[dpm802]

I don't know when my barbershop installed it, but it has a compressed air system running to each chair, and the barbers blow all the hair off with an air jet. Pretty loud.

My grandfather was an old school barber (learned his craft as a boy in Poland around WW1,) and he always referred to the traditional striped sheet that he'd wrap around the customer as an "Air Gun."

We always thought he meant it as a reference to the compressed air used to blow off the clippings after a cut.

It was only a few years after he passed away that we finally realized that he was saying "Hair Gown."

[dpm802]

I pay $13 plus a $2 tip at The Hair Cuttery (http://www.haircuttery.com/)... that includes a shampoo (either before or after, my choice) and they'll cut it any way I want it. Most of the time, they get it right, sometimes not. One time they screwed it up, and I went back 2 weeks later and they fixed it for free.

One thing to keep in mind about Hair Cuttery ... its a hair-cutting SCHOOL. Not all of the people working there are fully trained yet. If you have a choice of barbers to cut your hair, ask for the one closest to the cash-register. That's the senior person, and the one with the most experience.

Once a year or so, I'll treat myself to a $35 haircut at American Male (http://americanmale.com/). They do a great job, provide a luxurious salon, and also have other services available like manicures, pedicures, shiatsu massage, etc. Its well worth the price, but unfortunately, I can't afford it everytime.

I've been wanting to get a home hair-cutting kit so I can maintain myself, save on the barber expenses, and not have to put off haircuts 'til next payday.

Electric clippers seem to be the way to go for a self-service cut, but there are so many out there to choose from. I'll need a variety of blade-guards ranging from about 1~7, and I'm not sure what other accessories and options to shop for.

Everything I've seen in the department stores look like junk. I've gone looking at places like Sally's for professional gear and its frightfully expensive. I'd like to keep it under $50 if I can, but I'll go a little bit higher if the value is there.

Any suggestions on what kit I should get?

[comfortablynumb]

Everything I've seen in the department stores look like junk. I've gone looking at places like Sally's for professional gear and its frightfully expensive. I'd like to keep it under $50 if I can, but I'll go a little bit higher if the value is there.

Any suggestions on what kit I should get?

Wahl Professional, I bought a Wahl Professional line (the peanut) it's plug in, made in a American, and includes guards. I use it keep up my side burns, and general trimming, I have yet to try shaving my head with it, but I'm more then sure it would be more then competent. I got mine on eBay for $35 two and a half years ago.. this is just my recommendation, you may want to start a new thread and see what others think.

[dpm802]

Wahl Professional, I bought a Wahl Professional line (the peanut) it's plug in, made in a American, and includes guards. I use it keep up my side burns, and general trimming, I have yet to try shaving my head with it, but I'm more then sure it would be more then competent. I got mine on eBay for $35 two and a half years ago.. this is just my recommendation, you may want to start a new thread and see what others think.

Yeah, thanks ... that Peanut looks like it will do the job rather nicely. And the price is right. A quick Googling shows its available new for just $29.99. (http://kbbeautysupply-store.stores.yahoo.net/wahpeantrimw.html)

Intuitively, I knew that the answer to my question would include the word "Wahl."

I think I will start a seperate thread anyway, just to see what else might pop up. I'm probably not the only one of the 9K+ B&B members that's been looking for a haircut kit.

[comfortablynumb]

Yeah, thanks ... that Peanut looks like it will do the job rather nicely. And the price is right. A quick Googling shows its available new for just $29.99. (http://kbbeautysupply-store.stores.yahoo.net/wahpeantrimw.html)

Intuitively, I knew that the answer to my question would include the word "Wahl."

I think I will start a seperate thread anyway, just to see what else might pop up. I'm probably not the only one of the 9K+ B&B members that's been looking for a haircut kit.

Yea you can't go wrong with a Wahl professional series, $29 is good deal, I got mine new from eBay as I wasn't able to find one at Sally's beauty supply, but this was a few years ago they may stock them nowa days. They also come in colors as well, not sure how much that matters to you, the one I got is a clear smoked grayish/black color.

[kongjie]

Well, I used to pay the prices that many of you pay, but unfortunately I'm not aware of a barbershop in the area that has an outstanding reputation. One of the disadvantages of moving around frequently.

My wife makes me go to a local Aveda salon. I like my stylist and we get on well. That being said, it costs $60 + $12 tip= $72.

[comfortablynumb]

Well, I used to pay the prices that many of you pay, but unfortunately I'm not aware of a barbershop in the area that has an outstanding reputation. One of the disadvantages of moving around frequently.

My wife makes me go to a local Aveda salon. I like my stylist and we get on well. That being said, it costs $60 + $12 tip= $72.

:eek: Wow what does a $72 dollar hair cut include :lol: The most I ever paid was $35 + $5 tip at a Yellow Strawberry salon when I lived in South Florida, and I thought that was expensive...

[GarageBoy]

$17 here in NYC @ Hairbox

[dpm802]

Yea you can't go wrong with a Wahl professional series, $29 is good deal, I got mine new from eBay as I wasn't able to find one at Sally's beauty supply, but this was a few years ago they may stock them nowa days. They also come in colors as well, not sure how much that matters to you, the one I got is a clear smoked grayish/black color.

The clear smoked sounds good to me ... if they don't have that available, my choice of colors would be green.

If you do a lot of shopping at Sally's, they now have a shopper's club card that offers discounts for non-professionals. I got mine, and it saved me about 25% off a small bottle of Barbicide. (But even with the discount, Sally's can't beat the $30 price on that Peanut at KB.)

The card has a $5 annual fee, but that is waived for certain classes of customers. Seniors, students, military, etc. I showed them a DoD ID, and they let me have the military discount (I work a Civilian job at a local AirForce base.)

Even if you have to pay the $5 fee, it will be worth it for the significant discounts they offer. And the savings apply to web-purchases, also.

[Bobtrumpet]

My stylist (predominantly women's salon - I've never seen another guy getting a cut there) just went up in price to $16 for a cut - I usually round it up to $20. No shampoo, etc., just the cut. She automatically does the brows and ears - I never had to ask. She trims the neck with an electric clipper, which is fine me with me.

No offense meant to any of the barbers here, but I started going to a stylist my senior year of high school (1975) and I will never go to a barber for a hair cut again. If you want to know why, I'll dig up some of my pictures form high school and you'll see why. :w00t: I never understood how a barber, in the brief amount of time I was in the chair, could cut every hair on my head a drastically different length, and have none of them progress properly to a good cut. And some of these guys had a good reputation.

[comfortablynumb]

No offense meant to any of the barbers here, but I started going to a stylist my senior year of high school (1975) and I will never go to a barber for a hair cut again. If you want to know why, I'll dig up some of my pictures form high school and you'll see why. :w00t: I never understood how a barber, in the brief amount of time I was in the chair, could cut every hair on my head a drastically different length, and have none of them progress properly to a good cut. And some of these guys had a good reputation.

Barbers don't typically "layer" hair, which is what a beauty salon will do. I just can't stand the stench of a "beauty" salon, between the hair chemichals and the nail polish etc... I can't breath in there.


If you do a lot of shopping at Sally's, they now have a shopper's club card that offers discounts for non-professionals.


Thanks for the head's up, I don't really go in there a whole lot, but it's good to know about the discount.

[ravkesef]

Well its pretty hard to find a good barber...esp. in Boston where i live...i find myself paying a premium where ever i go...as for the straight edge...yea they do that...but they always clean it and then soak it in barbacide...so i pay between $13-$20...It sux but thats the way it is

Boston has State Street Barber, 1313 Washington St. 617-753-9990. Kinda pricey, but good service.

[barberofdeville]

really depends on the barber and there is a differance from a barber, a barber stylist, and a proud to be a barber-stylist.I am a proud to be Barber-Stylist that cuts womens hair(bob, stacked bob, north Hampton stack, asymetrical, long layers, short layers, Etc.) Mens hair(wether its a crew cut, a taper, a fade, or disco era beegee styles, to the modern anything. I am equally skilled in shear as i am in clipper cutting, razor work, etc. I do Hair color, Highlights, Low lights and dont use a gaurd on my clippers for fades or flat tops(in fact no gaurds period. I also value a good shave and giving one. My breed is rare but they are out there in fact alot of you that go to a Hair Salon may just find that its a high end barber salon that doesnt admit its a barber shop. About 50 percent prolly more are the fade and flat top variety that dont like shears or anything except a clipper, the rest of us know when to use a clipper and when not to. You would be amazed at the haircuts that walk through my door ive had to fix a cosmotologist or barbers work. It depends on the individual person cutting your hair. I know people fresh out of school that are better than 20 + years of either one. I would recommend a Barber/Cosmotologist dual liscense holder with 10 years experiance who has passion but you wont want to pay how much they cost. There are good barbers out there and good cosmotologist so dont fence them in a catagory. As far as barbers go remember we existed before the roman empire. The only differance between cosmotology and Tonsorial Art is we shave people and they do nails and make-up all the other parts are in both fields.

BTW WE Layer Hair. You have a lazy barber that didnt want to learn how. They just did fades all day and laughed at guys like me for learning the other stuff taught.

[ravkesef]

I pay $10 total every week - 8.85 keep the change thanks see you next week bye! The military will do that to you. Its ok though - I'm married so it doesn't matter much if I get a bad haircut! It is funny to go in there every week and say the same thing, and every time get something a little different. I think maybe I'll take a picture if they ever get it right, and then I'll have that to show them what I want.... If I had real hair like a normal person and got haircuts once every month or so I wouldn't mind paying more, but since I have to get one every week I go the cheap route.

Austin

I remember these barbers at the Exchange. Not licensed, incompetent, etc. And back then ( 1963) it was 75c. My first day in the Navy they marched us in for our first military haircuts. At the time my hair was shoulder length. The barber took one look at me and got a grin from ear to ear. I sat down in the chair and six strokes of his electric shears and I was done. I think he missed the part where I said: "Just a little bit off the top!"
On board ship the haircuts were free, given by the ship's barber. That was his job, and that's about all he did every day was cut hair for the guys on board. Not bad, actually, and a darn sight better than the morons at the exchange. Then, one time, we got a steward on board who actually had a barber subspecialty. That was the time I started getting razor cuts. Not bad. I was getting to enjoy it.
These days I go to a hair stylist who charges me $20, and I have to admit I look good. A new barber shop just opened up two blocks away, and I'll go in there for a shave, but not a haircut. Maryanne has been doing my hair for the past 18 years, so I'm not about to change a good thing.

[Gaz]

I go to one of the chain places. Normally I don't like to go to those places but mine has a lady who is semi-retired from the salon business and works a few hours a week to get out of the house (so she said). She is fantastic and they charge $11. I usually tip $3-4. No straight edge but she is very thorough. Every now and then ya get lucky at one of the chain places.

[comfortablynumb]

No offense meant to any of the barbers here, but I started going to a stylist my senior year of high school (1975) and I will never go to a barber for a hair cut again. If you want to know why, I'll dig up some of my pictures form high school and you'll see why. :w00t: I never understood how a barber, in the brief amount of time I was in the chair, could cut every hair on my head a drastically different length, and have none of them progress properly to a good cut. And some of these guys had a good reputation.

My problem with "beauty salons" is the stench, between the dyes, the hair chemicals, nail polish, nail polish removes etc... I find it difficult to breath in that kind of toxic environment.

Depends on the barber as well, ask them if there layering your hair or just straight cutting it. There's some sloppy work out there, some just prefer to do cookie cutter work and get by, some actually care about there patrons and ask them what they want.


If you do a lot of shopping at Sally's, they now have a shopper's club card that offers discounts for non-professionals.


Thanks for the head's up, I don't really go in there a whole lot, but it's good to know about the discount.

[THECHEBB]

I finally found a barber today, he's been in business for quit some time from what I gather but charges $14 for just a cut. To me that seems like quit a lot of money for a Barber. So with all that said what do you pay for a cut?
$26.00 includes shampoo, straight razor/hot towel shave, arms/neck massage, and your choice of of hot/iced coffee or tea at the end.

[kevtex]

I pay $0.00. My wife cuts my hair with electric clippers but she refuses to give me a shave.:001_huh: It's hard to find a good wife who will give both, a good cut and shave :001_rolle

[momo360]

I do not charge myself :cool:

takes the word faceturbation to a whole different level... :tongue_sm

[TENroaches]

$17 here in NYC @ Hairbox

+1 on Hairbox. I got my hair cut there last August right before I had to leave town and go to my sister's wedding, and I didn't get my hair cut again until I could go back to the Hairbox when I was working in Brooklyn for a week in December. Couldn't converse at all with the guy, though (what language do they speak in there, anyway?). Good place. That's the most I ever paid for a haircut. I think they recently raised the price from $16 to $17, but it's still $20 to me. :rolleyes:

[caz]

I go to the Chelsea Barber (http://nymag.com/listings/beauty/chelsea_barber/) here in NYC. It's $30 for a haircut but well worth it. I tip $10. Best haircuts I've ever gotten. I used to go to regular barbers that charge less than half the price and its always a crap shoot. I'd rather pay more money and know I'll walk out with a good cut than take a gamble.

[mikem]

I just started using a new barber a few months ago and he charges $12(I make it $15). He uses a shavette for the neck and burns. Also, he does $12 shaves, but I think I will continue to do my own.

[jss]

The barber closet to home charges $10..My preferred barber charges twenty..A guy at the barber college charges $0, I give him $5..

[PZBarber]

We charge £7.50 ($14) for a haircut.

You get a great cut and the barbers give a quick head massage with some bay rum to freshen up. We will shave your neck with a shavette and do your eyebrows, burns and ear hair all in the price.

Cheers

Mat

[M. McCord]

My sister is or was a hair stylist. She quit a few weeks back to have a baby. But when she was cutting it, it was free. Sucks having to go back to paying. Especially when you're used to getting it done once a week.

Anyway going rate around here is $12. With a tip figure $14-15.

On a side note, I found my barber today. Actually it's a family shop I've gone too in the past. Last time I was there a few years back he was just starting but today, man oh man did he do a fine job. No straight razor but he got my neck damn smooth with a set of clippers.

[jones2289]

My barber charges $10, and that price was just changed this week!! Last week when I got it cut it was $9, complete with hot lather and a straight razor on neck and around my ears.

[Isaias]

takes the word faceturbation to a whole different level... :tongue_sm

Oh, I always take that kind of behavior to a whole different level :cool::w00t:

[BeachBoy]

In my real south'n town (2500 pop.) our barber, a real southern buba, charges only $7.00, we usually pay $8.00. I've always been pleased w/his cuts, and he works fast. He uses maily electic clippers.

-Nathanael:cool:

[Doc4]

I do not charge myself :cool:

If you did, you'd have to remit income tax on the income.

:bored:

[jtoddaz]

V's Barbershop in Phoenix. $21 for a cut. Hot lathered goo on the back, with a straight disposable razor. $45 if you want a cut/shave. At least here, thats pretty good for both.

[New2DEShaving_Montreal]

I pay myself $10 every time I cut my own hair, and then I buy myself some Beer with my haircut money. I do this three times a week, so that's 30 bucks, and don't always finish the beer, so I always got some left over for the next week. It costs me about $1.33 + 15 minutes. So I'm making good profit. :lol:

[Isaias]

If you did, you'd have to remit income tax on the income.

:bored:

An that is the reason for not tipping myself :wink:

[brush'n'bowl]

25 bucks for the haircut plus the 5 dollar tip. He only uses sissors and a straight razor for the neck and side burns. He also washes your hair 2 times. Its Farzads Barbershop in Vancouver.

[New2DEShaving_Montreal]

I tip myself occasionally. Hey, if the job is done well, it deserves the tip.

An that is the reason for not tipping myself :wink:

[TENroaches]

I tip myself occasionally. Hey, if the job is done well, it deserves the tip.

So you only do the job well occasionally? Or it deserves a tip all the time, but you stiff yourself most of the time because you're a tightwad? :biggrin:

[BD1970]

I usually go to one of the chain barbershops where they charge anywhere from $12-$15. I'm tempted to take my clippers & just buzz it all off. Then shave my head bald. I'm follically challenged anyway...

[nws86]

35+ tip from Mankind across the street in DT Fort Lauderdale. They serve free drinks and very nice quality cuts. All old fasion scissor cut and all edging is done with a straight razor. It's a spa just for men. http://www.mankindformen.com/

My brother told me about the place and I loved it the first time I went. Not a bad price when places in the malls are $20+ for a crap supercuts with screaming babies everywhere.

[Nancy Boy]

Burbank, CA: Barber I've been going to for many years. Knew of my late barber who gave me my first haircut! Gives me the perfect flat top every time.

VERY small shop. Has one other barber. Uses a straight on the back of my neck and sideburns. Patrons are plesant. Close to home.

15.00 + 5.00 tip. Well worth it.

[bishop]

I talked to the head barber in the shop (been cutting 42 years and rents the other chairs to old-school barbers, one of which does my hair regularly) while he cut my hair today. He told me all about how our state (SC) has pretty much eliminated barbers, closing the schools and turning out "stylists." I knew this was the trend anyway, but to hear him tell it, I was disappointed all over again. If I wanted to be a barber in the tradition we're used to, I would have to go to cosmetology school and be a "stylist," then just learn the classic barbering stuff as a hobby.

:mad:

FWIW, the president of the cosmetology board in our state makes around $600 a day per chair in his "salon."

[Monkeyboy]

$30 and a $20 tip. I don't exactly go to a barber though, go to an Aveda salon. I have difficult hair that barbers eventually all buzz down to the same cut that makes me look like I'm in boot camp no matter what I ask for.

[TstebinsB]

A haircut is $10 + $3 tip. My $13 total is a great price. My barber uses very sharp Andis electric trimmers for the whole cut. He might use scissors here and there. He used to do my beard with the trimmers.:rolleyes: That was before wetshaving, of course! :wink: He'll finish up with some special hair spray that I can't find anywhere and apply an after shave splash around the hair line for the entire head.

It's great because the most I've waited for a cut was 10 minutes. He cuts it exactly the way I want it. If he makes a mistake, I let him know and he takes care of it. No one else touches my hair.

As for gossip, I go to a Haitian barbershop. Every guy knows the President and the General personally, has been to the Presidential Palace numerous times, has a woman that'll make you change positions:blushing::tongue_sm, and could live like a playboy back in Haiti, if they wanted to go back that is. But who would want to go back to that! :rolleyes:

I don't think I've gotten a haircut since around the time of this post. I trim my hairline on my own but I haven't gotten an actual haircut.

[PKHammer]

Just got back from trying a local barber. Charged $12, gave him $15. ($3 tip). He did a good job, straight razor on the neck and burns. All in all I am pleased and will be going back. Heck, this time I walked right in, but might go back when its a bit busier, as he had a putter and a little green to putt some balls! Need all the help I can get there!

[barberofdeville]

$30 and a $20 tip. I don't exactly go to a barber though, go to an Aveda salon. I have difficult hair that barbers eventually all buzz down to the same cut that makes me look like I'm in boot camp no matter what I ask for.

By the way there are differant classes of barber...

We learn how to do color, perms, highlighs and lowlights, weaving techniques, womens haircutting, mens haircutting, how to perform a shave.

We as students have the choice to only learn clipper cutting, shaving, and fades and tapers.

Standard barber may only do fades and tapers and never touch womens hair and occasionally do a shave.


Barber Stylist we learn everything a cosmotologist does except nails and makeup (we even have to learn the scientific rest facial.


I charge 25 for men and 35 for women 65 for color starting and 85 for highlights and do very well.

The aveda salon here charges 35 for a cut by a new cosmotologist (fresh out of school) to 95 for a 10 year veteran. They are paid hourly with a small commision. So just like you did please remember to tip these people same with fantastic sams they get paid less than 10 an hour


Please dont referance all barbers into a catagory (there are just as many if not more bad cosmotologists out there. There are only 30 barbers that graduate from school to every 80 barbers that die or retire mainly because of how barbers are thought of by the bad ones or specialty barbers out there. That and most barber stylist do not broadcast they are barbers they are scared to put up the pole because of the preconception of my field.

Oh and one more thing who do you think invented cosmotology and who trained them before that division was created.

Thanks for your time.

[TENroaches]

By the way there are differant classes of barber...

We learn how to do color, perms, highlighs and lowlights, weaving techniques, womens haircutting, mens haircutting, how to perform a shave.

We as students have the choice to only learn clipper cutting, shaving, and fades and tapers.

Standard barber may only do fades and tapers and never touch womens hair and occasionally do a shave.


Barber Stylist we learn everything a cosmotologist does except nails and makeup (we even have to learn the scientific rest facial.


I charge 25 for men and 35 for women 65 for color starting and 85 for highlights and do very well.

The aveda salon here charges 35 for a cut by a new cosmotologist (fresh out of school) to 95 for a 10 year veteran. They are paid hourly with a small commision. So just like you did please remember to tip these people same with fantastic sams they get paid less than 10 an hour


Please dont referance all barbers into a catagory (there are just as many if not more bad cosmotologists out there. There are only 30 barbers that graduate from school to every 80 barbers that die or retire mainly because of how barbers are thought of by the bad ones or specialty barbers out there. That and most barber stylist do not broadcast they are barbers they are scared to put up the pole because of the preconception of my field.

Oh and one more thing who do you think invented cosmotology and who trained them before that division was created.

Thanks for your time.

This type of thought is new to me. I prefer barbers over the stylist/salon type places, and always associated quality with the barber pole....

[_JP_]

I could get a haircut at the local barber college for a buck, but I don't do that anymore. I never came out there looking hacked up, but I did have interesting results once in a while when a goof necessitated removing more hair to get it looking acceptable.

My local barbershop gives good, basic cuts for $14. That includes shaving the neck with a disposable blade type straight. I did find out at the local barber supply store that there are local shops that do shave with real straights, but I haven't tracked down one of them yet.

[guitarslinger]

The best guy on this side of town = $17 + $1 tip.

electric on the sideburns and neck

washes hair once.

tells a great joke, loves talking celeb gossip.:biggrin:

[Johnny Dale]

While working at one of the local hospitals here in Springfield Missouri, I saw a barber shop inside. Checked it out and got a great haircut for $13 and a $2 tip.

Did not see any blood letting going on there. :biggrin:

[sanpaku]

$12.00 buzz cut + $8.00 tip = $20.00.
a bargain as i get hundreds of dollars worth of theater (comedy/drama/variety) every time i go in the place (an old school barber shop of the jurassic variety; straight razors and all).

[paulryan]

Hi,

My barber charges me $20.00 for their services and I believe that is reasonable since she takes about an hour. She still uses a "Straight-Razor" although I don't know what she uses??? But be rest assured that I will.

Thanks for the shout,

Paul

[TeKKy]

Local barber charges $16 for a full cut which includes a straight shave of the neck and sideburns(if you want it). They can do a full straight shave on the beard but I have yet to do it so not sure of the cost.

[frank85]

Dude I personally shave my head so I don't need a barber...
with that said many of my friends pay between 12 and 40 dollars for a cut and it all depends on where you go... I am in South Florida and when I am too lazy to shave my own head or it's a special occasion I go to my barber for a shave and they use a sanitized straight razor :) I pay about 30 dollars that's with a tip included other places charge a lot more.

find another barber that properly cleans all equipment

[Semi-Constant Gardener]

I have been going to the same barber shop located near Bethesda MD (outside DC) for the past 10 years or so. They charge $14 for a haircut. The barber I now use uses shears almost exclusively and really layers my hair nicely, spends about twice as long on my hair as the other barbers. I tip him $6 and consider it a deal. I have fairly fine hair, so when it grows out following a "traditional" haircut it tends to look scruffy in about 2 weeks. He is asian, must have had advanced training at some point...he also gives a mini-neck rub and massage at the end, just like I experienced when stationed in Japan.

[Eagle]

My wife cuts my hair and she charges a buttload. She collects it all in kind however. :biggrin:

[Kouros]

$8 + $5 tip for a monthly haircut.
$4 + $2 tip for a weekly shape-up.

[Chibbi]

Something between 20-25 Euros (aprox. 30 - 35 us$)

Women pay a lot more anything from 40-100+ Euros depending on what they want.

btw I don't think you any barber does any facial shaving anymore over here.