Let’s Hear It For The Boys

This month’s article takes us to beautiful Franklin, Tennessee where my friend Tony Steele recently opened his own barber shop, Classic Sports Barber Shop. Tony, originally from Detroit, Michigan, is a master barber who has been perfecting his craft for many years. He is skilled in all hair types and styles for men and boys. In this article, he demonstrates a simple “even cut”.

Tools used:

1. Electric hair clippers with guide comb
2. Electric hair trimmer
3. Comb (fine tooth or wide tooth depending on the length of the hair)
4. *Oil sheen spray
5. **Hair tonic
6. Rubbing alcohol or astringent such as Sea Breeze
7. Baby powder (optional)

There are many different hair styles available to little boys of African descent so the first step is to choose a style. Tony has several large, framed posters with photos of various styles from which to choose. The model for this article chose an “even cut”.

The first step for Tony was to quickly comb through the child’s hair and because our model’s hair was fairly short, he used a fine tooth comb. The purpose of this quick comb-through is to eliminate any tangles that might be snagged by the clippers. This initial step makes the experience more comfortable for the child.

For this cut, Tony used a #1 guide comb on the clippers. He began at the back of the head, down at the neckline. This, he explained, allowed him to make sure the length provided by the chosen guide comb was correct. If he found the cut was too short, he could switch guide combs without creating a problem in a conspicuous place.

Cutting against the grain creates a shorter style whereas cutting with the grain leaves the hair a bit longer. Tony cut even strips of hair from the base of the head to the crown. He cut the back first, and sides second working from bottom to top.

Once the back and sides were finished, he then moved on to the top of the head cutting strips of hair from front to back.

The last step in the actual cut was to edge the hair with electric hair trimmers. (Electric hair trimmers have a much smaller blade.) He began edging in the center of the front of the hair and worked his way down to the left of the hair line. Then, he came back to the middle and edged his way to the other side. Once he finished the front of the hair, he edged the side, over the ears, and around the back. When edging over the ears, he used one hand to hold down the child’s ear to keep it out of the way. Tony said the edging is a very important part of the cut. He referred to the process as “signing one’s name” to the cut.

He finished the cut by rubbing it with hair tonic, and spraying the hair with oil sheen spray. Last of all, he used some cotton to apply an astringent to the hair line to prevent bumps from forming on the skin. He suggested using rubbing alcohol or an astringent like Sea Breeze.  Last of all, Tony dusted the boy’s neck with powder to help eliminate itching.

 Final notes on caring for boy’s hair:
1. Regular hair cuts are a must, as often as every 2 -3 weeks.
2. Comb or brush daily to prevent tangles. If the hair forms small “B.B.’s” it is not receiving adequate combing.
3. Use a good moisturizing shampoo and conditioner.
4. Apply hair oil or a hair/scalp moisturizing product as needed to keep the hair from becoming too dry.

* Oil sheen spray used here: Black Magic Oil Sheen Spray
** Hair tonic: Jeris brand hair tonic

~A special thanks to Tony Steele, the hardest working guy in downtown Franklin.  Tony is the owner and master barber of Classic Sports Barber Shop, 105 Fifth Avenue North, Franklin, Tennessee 37064, 615-595-0094