Hit 500 haircuts in my second year and realized I've been holding my shears wrong the whole time

I was cleaning my station after number 500 and an old barber who was waiting for his chair pointed out I've been using a bent wrist position that's gonna wreck my hand, has anyone else had some random guy just drop wisdom on you like that?

2 comments

2 Comments

victor_butler509h ago

My buddy Mike used to work at this old school barbershop in Chicago, 50 years in business. One day some retired barber comes in just to chat, not even getting a cut. Watches Mike trim this kids fade and out of nowhere goes "son your thumb is fighting your comb, you're gonna lock up your whole hand by 40." @oliviabennett hit the nail on the head about older tradespeople catching bad form. Mike laughed it off but six months later his hand started cramping mid cut. Had to completely change his grip and it took weeks to feel natural again.

oliviabennett18h ago

That barber probably saved you from a repetitive stress injury down the line. I've heard similar stories from older tradespeople who notice bad habits because they've seen the long term damage. The real takeaway is that even experienced barbers can miss basic form if nobody ever corrects them.