Barber Shop Tools: Must Have Essentials for Every Barber

Opening up a barber shop is a great business idea nowadays.

Getting a haircut or shave with a qualified barber is what most men are doing these days.

Certain styles simply can’t be created without a professional stepping in.

However, to open your business, you are going to need barber shop tools.

And you can’t just get any old tools that you find.

You need to devise a specific list of appliances and shaping tools to help your business thrive.

Getting a bunch of stuff that later proves to be useless may even deprive your business of customers.

For that reason, we went on and devised a detailed list of some specific barber shop tools that every successful barber shop needs.

What Are Barber Shop Tools

Barber shop tools are professional cutting, hairdressing, and grooming instruments. The right tools are the foundation of men’s haircuts. They significantly impact the quality of cuts and styles that customers prefer to maintain their best appearance.

Benefits of Using Barber Shop Tools

Here is a quick rundown of the benefits of using barber shop tools: 

• Provide professional services
• Work easier and faster
• Give worthwhile and satisfying experiences 

How Do Barber Shop Tools Work

Barber shop tools are the professional and essential instruments of the trade. Each tool is designed to complete a barbering task like a haircut, hair trim, shaving, styling, or grooming. Equipping oneself with a professional barber tool kit is the first order of business. 

Pros and Cons of Using Barber Shop Tools

Pros

• Deliver professional results.
• Provide best personal styling, grooming, or shaving treatment.
• Attract more loyal customers satisfied with efficient, quick, and excellent services.

Cons

• Professional tools and equipment are more expensive, costing from a hundred to thousands of dollars.
• Require regular cleaning and maintenance to keep them in optimum condition.

Most Common Types of Barber Shop Tools

Hair Clippers

Barber clippers feature sharp blades that effectively cut the hair by delivering a shearing action back and forth. The blades are adjustable to allow different settings and make varying cut lengths. Some hair clippers come with an attached vacuum that catches and pulls the loose hair toward the collection site.

Clippers are crucial to creating good fade haircuts. There are two types of clippers- corded and cordless. Corded clippers are powerful and very reliable but can be a hassle when working in the front of the face. The corded clippers typically run out of power after two hours, requiring recharging the battery.

Hair Trimmers

Men want to find the perfect barber shop that can cut their hair or beard the way they want it. A good hair trimmer helps barbers make the fine and precise details. They are used for the finishing touches and perfect for designing beards, fade and blend hair, or cleaning up the hairline and neck areas.

Nose Trimmer

This tiny device can easily remove unwanted hair from the ears or nose. It comes in handy when customers need a little pampering or a complete makeover.

Edgers

Hair edgers, also called detailers or liners, are T-shaped blade designs. They are used in trimming a shape-up or a line-up.

Barber Shears

These tools complement the clippers. Shears or scissors are used to cut men’s hair and trim beards. Generally, there are three types of shears- the thinning/blending/texturizing scissors, the smaller hair scissors to cut hair over the fingers, and the more large shears that work for the scissors-over-comb technique. Be sure to get the best pairs made in Japan or Germany. Their shears are made from premium carbon steel that is durable and lightweight.

Barber Comb

Hair combs used in barber shops are far different from the usual combs used at homes. They are sturdier, higher quality, and are 12 inches long. Professional barbers use wide-toothed and fine-toothed combs to cut, control, and style hair.

Using a fading comb with very fine, short teeth on one end and long coarse teeth on the other is useful for the popular fade cut. The clipper comb is for blending, tapering, and flat-top cutting. An all-purpose comb is for creating clean sections. To develop interesting long beard styles, barbers use a premium beard comb.

Straight Razor 

A straight razor is used to clean the back of the customer’s neck. It is also useful when cutting hair with added texture. Barbers use this comb to gauge the hair length and make an accurate cut. Styling a beard with a straight razor gives the barber a cutting edge to make a precise result. A beard fade is always in for men.

Electric Barber Shavers

They are tools for good, clean shaving. Barbers use professional electric shavers from head-shaving to removing facial hairs. 

Professional Hairdryer

A heavy-duty, strong blow dryer sets the hair, giving the desired stylish look that the customer wants. Using a professional hairdryer makes a massive difference in styling the hair. It features ultimate power and heat control that quickens the drying process and limits the amount of heat on the customer’s hair. The lesser amount of time and heat reduces hair damage.

Mirror

The mirror on the wall helps barbers show the customers how the style and cut they want. It also helps them to make comments and opinions on the cutting progress.

Haircutting Capes

These barber capes prevent hair clippings from getting into the customer’s clothes.

Duster Brush

It brushes away the stray hairs on the back and front of the client’s neck.

Spray Bottle

It is a plastic bottle with a mist sprayer.

Barber Chair

This is the essential piece of equipment in a barber shop. Professional-quality, stylish, and comfortable barber chairs with a hydraulic pump, swivel mechanism, height adjustment, and thick padding is crucial for a good barber shop experience. If you can afford them, getting the world’s best barber chairs for your shop is a wise decision since they last longer and provide ultimate comfortability.

Shaving Products

They make the hair or beard soft, making it easy for the barbers to shave or style the beard. The shaving products include beard creams, aftershaves, oils, and gels. We recommend using aftershave products to prevent irritation on the cheeks or the skin underneath the beard.

Styling Products 

These include creams, pomade, gels, and other products used for styling men’s hair.

Hair and Beard Care Products

Men’s hair and beard need the best products to make them grow healthy and look great during styling. When it comes to the type and texture of your hair, barbers can recommend the right shampoo, condition, creams, and gels for you.

Hair Vacuum

A good hair vacuum collects the pile of hair that comes out from different heads. It makes cleaning at the end of the day convenient and quick.

Appliances

The most basic devices you need to make the customers comfortable are an air conditioner, heater, and towel warmer. To get hygienic, hot towels, you need to invest in a towel warmer with a UV sterilizer lamp.

Disinfectants and Cleaners

Sanitation is vital to ensure hygiene and prevent the spread of bacteria that can cause disease or infection. Regular use of disinfectants kills viruses, germs, and fungi. Some of the supplies you need are clipper blade cleaner spray, sterilizing jars, and powerful disinfectants,

Sterilizer

A sterilizer is a small tool with germicidal bulbs that keep the barber equipment sterile.

How to Choose the Best Barber Shop Tools

Ergonomics

Barber shop tools should have an ergonomic design that makes them easy to hold and manipulate even during prolonged use. Ergonomically-designed tools prevent shoulder, elbow, wrist fatigue, or injury. Look for scissors or shears with offset handles that allow the thumb in a natural, comfortable position.

Price

The price depends on the brand of the products. Make a budget and shop your barber kit and equipment around your budget.

Warranty

Manufacturers’ warranties are essential because they reduce the cost of part replacement. High-quality products usually come with lifetime warranties. 

How to Use Barber Shop Tools

Step 1 – Know the use of every tool

You need a shear, hair comb, hair clipper, and trimmer to perform a haircut. To trim the sideburns, cut in a tidy neckline, or style a beard, you need a sharp straight razor, lathering brush, a clipper, and a comb.

Step 2 – Make a plan for the styling

Before the haircut, analyze the shape of your customer’s head, including the indents and skull’s imperfections that can affect the haircut. Untangle the hair by spraying water and using a barber comb.

Step 3 – Use each tool properly 

Use each tool properly to produce the desired result for the customers. Select the suitable device to provide the different hairstyles for men. Some prefer the traditional haircut, while others rock the trending styles. Apply your learned techniques like scissors over fingers, scissors over comb, clipper over comb, or blade on skin haircutting technique.

Step 4 – Give your the best service

Provide the ultimate service to every customer using the best styling, shaving, and hair-care products.

Step 5 – Clean your all tools

After use, make sure to clean and sterilize all the tools you use to avoid the transfer of potential bacteria or germs from one customer to another. 

How to Maintain Your Barber Shop Tools

Step 1 – Clean the tools

Remove leftover hairs, debris, and product residue from the tools.

Step 2 – Use some disinfectant

Immerse, dip, or spray the tools with a disinfectant solution to eliminate viruses, fungi, or bacteria. Some tools are not designed to be immersed in liquid, so the disinfectant spray comes in handy. After dipping or applying disinfectant, leave them for about 10 minutes to ensure total removal of all contaminating elements.

Step 3 – Dry and store them

Dry each item with a clean tower when the time is up. Return them to their proper storage.

Other Optional Barber Shop Tools

Ring Light

Excellent lighting is a vital element in a barber shop. Adding a ring light in your essentials eliminates shadow cast and helps during the cutting, shaving, or styling.

Barber Apron

It creates a professional look and protects the clothes of barbers while working.

Mannequins

Barber shops usually have mannequin heads wearing wigs of different hairstyles.

Barber Organizer Mat

It serves as a workstation pad where barbers place the necessary tools. A high-quality, water-resistant mat protects the countertop or tables from spills, damages, or stains.

Organizer for Shears, Clips, Combs and Brushes

It is multifunctional storage with designated areas for every barber tool. 

Carrying Case

This to-go case holds the essential barber kit and keeps the tools well-organized.

Your Business Cards

The business cards are your marketing tool. They contain the name and address of your barber shop, telephone number, email address, website, and social media accounts. 

Does More Spending Mean More Quality

Yes, spending more means more quality. When getting the best barber tools, you need to set a considerable amount of money to succeed in this business. Professional and precision barbering tools and equipment come with a price. The finest and world-class brands can be expensive, but their performance, durability, quality, longevity, and warranties offer the best return on investment. 

Do’s and Don’ts With Barber Shop Tools

Do’s

• Do buy the best quality tools for your barber shop.
• Do use the right tool to deliver the desired haircut or hairstyle of customers.
• Do keep them clean and sanitized.
• Do upgrade your tools regularly.

Don’ts

• Don’t buy cheap products that can ruin your chance to attract loyal customers.
• Don’t skip from keeping the tools hygienic.

FAQ About Barber Shop Tools

Here are some critical questions you ask your barber:

What tools do barbers use on an everyday basis?

The essential tools that barbers regularly use are scissors, shears, razors, combs, and clippers. The scissors are the lifeline of the barber shop as most customers want a tidy or popular haircut to look good. 

What essential equipment is needed when opening a barber shop?

Aside from essential tools, opening your barber shop needs equipment that will make your place attractive to customers’ eyes. The list includes a barber station, barber chairs, sink/backwash unit, hot towel warmer, hair vacuum, sanitizers, and a cash register machine.

What is a barber kit?

A barber kit is a collection of essential tools to perform the barbering task. Investing money to put together high-quality products in your barber kit is a step to success in your craft. You can also find ready sets in online stores like Amazon or eBay for the price you can afford.

How important is a good barber chair?

A good barber chair sets the vibe in your barber shop. It provides comfort to customers as you perform their needed hair services. The barber chair is the throne you set for them, making them feel relaxed and pampered. The width should accommodate all body types and weights. They should have high-density foam cushions, lumbar support, headrest, and footrest for ultimate comfort.

How much can a good barber chair cost?

The cost of a good barber shop can range from $300 to $6,000, depending on the brand, type, features, and quality. Classic and vintage barber chairs fetch higher prices because of their unique look and proven performance. Modern and newer barber chairs are less pricey but check the reviews first to ensure they are worth the investment. 

Are barber shop tools expensive?

The price comes with a guarantee of good performance and durability, so it’s a yes. According to long-time owners of barber shops, the typical cost of investment to buy barber shop tools is $20,000 or higher. This includes chairs, scissors, trimmers, clippers, brushes, razors, blow dryers, barber combs, and other must-have supplies to start the business venture. 

Conclusion

Barbers are regarded as craftsmen who use their creative talent, skills, eye for details, expertise, and years of training to serve meticulous men who want to maintain their looks. When the picky customers find the perfect barber shop, they become lifetime customers.

While the experience and mastery of the craft are essential factors of becoming a popular barber, the right and quality tools make it possible to deliver the outputs for haircutting, styling, grooming, and other barbering services. Like pens for writers and brushes for painters, the shears, combs, and clippers are barbers.

Maximizing all the elements to build a successful barber shop is critical to your business and reputation in the industry.