Remember when we used to shape up with just clippers and a straight razor?

Back in the 90s when I started at Ray's shop in Philly, it was all about the Wahl clippers and a hot towel for the neck. Now I'm using trimmers and foil shavers for the same fade, and honestly I miss the old way - has anyone else found it harder to get that clean blend with just clippers these days?

2 comments

2 Comments

harris.aaron5d ago

My barber taught me this trick back in 1998 with a set of Oster 76s. He said the key was keeping the blades cold, literally putting them in the freezer for ten minutes before starting. He swore it made the hair stand up straighter and gave a cleaner line because the metal didn't heat up and cause the hair to lay flat. I tried it last week with my new cordless clippers and it actually worked, the blend was sharper than I've gotten in years. Nobody talks about blade temperature as part of the process anymore, but I think the old-school guys knew something. It's not harder now, we just forgot the little tricks that made those basic clippers work so well.

christopher4934d ago

Tried that freezer trick last week and nearly dropped my clippers on the bathroom floor, so I guess I can add "clumsy" to the list of reasons my fades are lopsided. But the cold blades did make a difference, the hair stood up way better than usual. Still ended up with a few jagged lines though, nothing a little neck hair can't hide. Guess the old barbers had steadier hands than me.