Walked into a barbershop in Austin and saw zero clipper guards on the shelf

I was visiting a shop on South Congress last week and the guy just freehands everything with no guards, even on skin fades. He told me guards are for beginners and real barbers use their hands to judge length. Am I the only one who thinks that's kinda risky for consistency with walk-in clients?

3 comments

3 Comments

charles_mitchell1d ago

Read somewhere that Japanese barbers do the same thing. It's an art form.

simonp761d ago

Is it just me or does that kinda vibe with how a lot of skilled trades are getting more respect lately? It seems like people are finally waking up to the fact that there's a real craft behind stuff like cutting hair or fixing a truck, not just quick work. Makes you wonder what other everyday skills we've been sleeping on as art forms.

seth_shah1d ago

Is calling something an "art form" just a way to make ourselves feel better about paying more for it? I mean, I get that Japanese barbers spend years learning their craft, but isn't that just... really good training and practice? The stuff they do with scissors and razors is impressive, sure, but it's still a trade skill at heart. To me, calling it "art" almost takes away from the honest hard work of learning a practical skill.