Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 2:32 am
So I'm making a bid to revive this thread with a brief report from the field: I went to Ed's Barber Shop at 15618 Madison. Ed has been cutting hair there since 1956 (and before that, at Belle Barber Shop), is still lucid of mind and sharp of scissors, and works by appointment only at 216-221-1703.
This was the most knowlegeable barber I've ever sat in the chair for. And he taught me the most, too--pointing out where my last haircut went wrong, explaining the custom quirks of my own hair, and explaining what he was going to do to fix the mistakes and get my hair to cooperate. He customized the haircut to my profession. ("Do you work outdoors or in an office?" he asked.)
This was also the most sharp-elbowed barber I've ever submitted to the scissors of. He told me who was boss, and laid down the law: "I give you one chance to come back to me after going to another barber. After that, I'm not fixing any other barber's mistakes." When I laughed at his gruffness, he assured me he was "serious." I believe him.
He says it will take three visits before he's able to make changes to my hair cut, to have the bangs and sideburns grow out, and get all the cowlicks laying down. After three, everything is syncronized and harmonized, and he pronounces everyone coming out of his chair as "looking like a prince." He ended with a detailed prescription on hair care and conditioner, treatment, etc.
To me, all this teaching was a welcome oasis in a desert of barbershop guesswork: after never being sure what to expect or how to ask for it, I've got somebody who's clearly a true barber--who can assess what I need and recommend how to get there.
NOTE: in addition to being sharp-elbowed, Ed is salty as a sailor. He could make Marines blush. Not a PG-13 neighborhood barber--he's Lakewood character, 80-proof.
This was the most knowlegeable barber I've ever sat in the chair for. And he taught me the most, too--pointing out where my last haircut went wrong, explaining the custom quirks of my own hair, and explaining what he was going to do to fix the mistakes and get my hair to cooperate. He customized the haircut to my profession. ("Do you work outdoors or in an office?" he asked.)
This was also the most sharp-elbowed barber I've ever submitted to the scissors of. He told me who was boss, and laid down the law: "I give you one chance to come back to me after going to another barber. After that, I'm not fixing any other barber's mistakes." When I laughed at his gruffness, he assured me he was "serious." I believe him.
He says it will take three visits before he's able to make changes to my hair cut, to have the bangs and sideburns grow out, and get all the cowlicks laying down. After three, everything is syncronized and harmonized, and he pronounces everyone coming out of his chair as "looking like a prince." He ended with a detailed prescription on hair care and conditioner, treatment, etc.
To me, all this teaching was a welcome oasis in a desert of barbershop guesswork: after never being sure what to expect or how to ask for it, I've got somebody who's clearly a true barber--who can assess what I need and recommend how to get there.
NOTE: in addition to being sharp-elbowed, Ed is salty as a sailor. He could make Marines blush. Not a PG-13 neighborhood barber--he's Lakewood character, 80-proof.