Best Barber Techniques for Men

The ultimate goal of well-groomed men is to find the best barber and achieve the best haircut. Men these days are being ever more conscious and keen when it comes to their appearance, especially with their haircuts, so it is vital to find the barber that knows exactly how to give you the cut you need every single time. 

With all the different hairstyles for men that are trending, men struggle in deciding which style to rock for their various occasions. Most of the time, they just leave the decision of whatever haircut the barber thinks would suit them or the same old hairstyle they always rockin.

To be able to provide an exceptional haircut for men, there are basic techniques and principles that the best barbershop should be aware of. The barber should master the foundation of men’s haircuts – the four basic techniques of haircutting.

In this article, we will talk about these four basic haircutting techniques, as well as the procedures on how to execute them properly.

Now, you might be wondering— why do I need to know this stuff when I just want to sit and let the barber do his work? Simple. Knowing or, at least, being familiar with how these basic techniques are executed will help you distinguish a highly-skilled barber from the untrained one.

You don’t really want an inexperienced barber to touch your hair, do you?

Whether you’re an aspiring barber or one who wants to know different techniques to be able to give your favorite cut, this content is for you!

The Four Basic Haircutting Techniques

These techniques will make use of a pair of scissors, scissors combs, clippers, clipper blades, and clipper combs.

• Scissors over Fingers Haircutting Technique

The scissors over fingers technique is used in layering with horizontal or vertical sections of the hair. Depending on your hair length, this technique can be used with any kind of pair of scissors. This method is applicable to all sections of the hair.

This technique can be done by cutting the hair over the top of the fingers and cutting the hair with the palm facing up. The proper procedure for doing this technique will be discussed later in the succeeding sections.

• Scissors over Comb Haircutting Technique

The comb is one of the most simple and essential tools in a barbershop. Same with scissors over fingers, this technique is also used for layering the horizontal and vertical sections of your hair except that this is done on shorter hair. It is also used to define shapes on side area.

The role of the comb in this technique is to lift the hair and serves as a guide to the scissors in shaping the haircut. A softer hairstyle is achieved with the scissors over comb technique.

• Clipper over Comb Haircutting Technique

This is the fundamental skill in cutting men’s hair. This technique is almost the same with the scissors over comb except that a clipper is used in this method. While the use of scissors over comb results in a softer hairstyle, this technique, on the other hand, results in a shaved look.

The barber will choose the right size of the clipper and comb depending on the area of the head he is going to work on. The hair length and the texture of the client will also be considered. Also, depending on the blade and the clipper’s size, a variety of hair finishes is possible in this technique.

This hair technique is ideal for removing a remarkable amount of thick hair, and it also provides a consistent and an even haircut. The clipper over comb technique cuts your exterior hair evenly and revitalizes hair growth.

• The Blade on Skin Haircutting Technique

This haircut technique is usually used in outlining and finishing a haircut with a pair of scissors or a clipper. This technique works on faded or tapered haircuts and a clipper blade or attachment is used.

This technique can be used with a pair of scissors in the following areas:

• It is used to outline the temple area and the forehead of shorter haircuts.

• The blade on skin technique is also used in the haircut’s perimeter, and it includes shaving the hair at the back of your neck.

• The barber can also use this technique to shorten the hair length of the bangs.

• This technique can also be used around the ears to achieve a clean outline.

Lastly, this technique is also applicable to the areas mentioned above with the use of a finishing clipper.

Now that you know the four basic techniques and how they differ from each other, it’s time to know the steps and tips on how they are actually executed.

Don’t worry, we promise the steps are easy and simple. Let’s get started!

Step by Step Guide – How to Apply the Four Basic Haircutting Techniques

A pair of scissors and the clippers are the most important tools needed to arrive at a nice and clean men’s haircut. Listed below are the procedures on how to perform the four basic haircutting techniques.

• Scissors over Fingers Haircutting Technique

In order to create consistency in men’s cuts, the finger placement is important. Proper control of the finger placement ensures the balance while cutting the hair. There are two ways on how to perform this method:

• Cutting the hair over the top of the fingers

This method is the most ergonomic and comfortable position in holding the hair. This can be done by the best barber by holding your hair between the middle finger and the pointer finger. The pinky finger is used to stabilize the hair section while resting on your head, and the palm is facing down.

The front portion of the scissors is used to cut the hair, avoiding the second knuckle. This is because you might lose control of the scissors and you might risk cutting your fingers.

• Cutting the hair with the palm facing up

In this method, the hair is cut in the palm of the barber’s hand. It is used in the perimeter of the longer hair, horizontal layering, and trimming the bangs.

• Scissors over Comb Haircutting Technique

In this technique, the scissors and the comb should move together in the same direction.

• To start with, the hair should be damped and the bulk of the top portion of the hair is removed.

• To get a better view, the barber should stand either on the right or the left of the person and work on shaping the bottom half of the hair.

• The non-dominant hand will hold the comb and the dominant hand will hold the scissors. With the use of the comb, the hair is lifted one hair section at a time while the hair is being cut off. It is important that the scissors blade is moving while cutting each hair section for a consistent and smooth end.

• The comb should be kept at a consistent distance and angle to maintain consistency.

• The same technique is used on the other sections of the hair as your barber work on his way around the haircut.

• Clipper over Comb Haircutting Technique

In this technique, a clipper and a comb are used, and the sizes will vary depending on the type of hair to be cut. To control large volumes of hair, a large clipper comb is to be used. The finer teeth work best in picking up hair that is close to the scalp.

• With the use of the less dominant hand, lift the hair at 90-degree angle with the use of a comb.

• The dominant hand will now work on the clippers by cutting the protruding hair in the comb’s teeth.

• To create a tapered effect on the hair, the comb should be angled. The comb angling will give the barber control to the remaining hair length after clipping off the ends.

• The barber can work on the hair section by section.

An uneven cut is often the result if this technique is done on wet hair. For best results, this technique should be done on slightly damp hair.

1. The Blade on Skin Haircutting Technique

In this haircut technique, a pair of scissors is used in the different areas of the hair.

• Use on the bangs

The stationary blade of the scissors is resting on the forehead while the barber is cutting the bangs at its shorter length by simply opening and closing the scissors with the use of his thumb.

• Use on the temple to sideburn area

The blade on skin technique can be done by cutting the hair from the sideburn area to the temple or from the temple to the sideburn area. This depends on which area the barber is comfortable.

• Use around the ears

This technique is usually done after all the removal of the bulk of the hair. For a medium hair length, the hair is comb down while the stationary blade of the scissors is resting on the skin. The ear should be held down to create a clean outline.

• Use on the back of the neck

This technique works best on the rounded and square hairline. The stationary blade of the scissors is resting on the skin while the barber is cutting across. This is also done as the last part of a haircut wherein all the bulk of the hair has been removed.

This technique is also applicable when using a finishing clipper.

• Use on temple area and the bangs

To create an outline of the temple area, the barber should make use of a straight in–straight out motion. The stationary blade of the clippers touches the skin gently while a line is created. This ensures that there are no scrapes or marks left on the scalp.

• Use on the back of the neck, sideburns,  and around the ears

This technique is done at the last part of a haircut, after the removal of the bulk of a haircut.  This gives the barber a clear look at how the outline will fall. It is important that the barber will make use of a straight in straight out motion in creating an outline. This ensures that there are no scrapes or marks left on the scalp. This step is important that is why it is being emphasized.

A detachable blade clipper and adjustable clipper with or without attachments can also be used in this technique. This is used to fade or taper a semi-finish hairline and to shorten a hair length as short as the combs.

Experience is the Best Teacher!

The four basic haircutting techniques are the building blocks in mastering the haircuts for men. These techniques can only be done by the best barber who is equipped with knowledge when it comes to men’s haircuts.

The best barbershop that offers the quality haircut services for men in Utah is none other than— Regal Barber Co. Regal Barber Co.’s barbers are highly skilled and have mastered these basic techniques in haircutting, not to mention that our barbers are also skilled beard barbers.

As a homegrown shop, we already have a long list of patrons in Utah. Regal Barber Co. has already built its reputation when it comes to men’s haircuts, thus making us the best barbershop in the area. We have the best master barber in Utah too! (Get to know the shop’s Owner/Master Barber right HERE!)

Still have doubts whether Regal Barber Co. is the right barbershop for you? Head on to our Official Facebook page and read what our happy clients say about us!

Conclusion

Regardless of what hairstyle you want to achieve, it is important that you get the best hair service from a reputable barbershop. Always remember that a great haircut is never a matter of chance, and you do not have to settle for less.

The barbers at Regal Barber Co. are professionals and have the knowledge and expertise when it comes to men’s haircuts. We can also give you free consultation prior to having your actual haircut. This ensures that you only get the haircut according to your own taste and preference.

Feel free to book an appointment and visit Regal Barber Co. and get the haircut that you truly deserve!