Barber Tools Names: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide

Barbers (no matter beginners or experts) are always known for their professionalism, skills, and tools. Yes, the tools and equipment that you use will define your skills and how well committed you are to your profession — and also, it is one of the ways to attract more clients. Learn about the different barber tools names in this guide.

Every barber knows that without the right equipment, skills or competency may not mean much because, with some hair-cutting scissors, you might not get enough space to showcase your ability.

Investing in the right barbers tools can get you more clients — the way you work with these tools will impact the quality of your service and decide if your clients will stick with you longer.

Moreover, most men prefer barbershops over salons or spas to get their hair styled since they do not require much of the work other than a properly maintained haircut. So, having all the right tools will help you get long-term clients easily. 

Whether you are a professional barber or a beginner, you will definitely need some of the tools, equipment, or supplies from this compiled list that we have made for you. Get the right tools to boost your styling game a few notches up. 

Before advancing to this list, there are a few things to be noted. Like what to consider before buying the tools and where to buy them.

A Few Helpful Tips on How/What to Shop for Your Barbershop

Buying barber tools does not seem that difficult; all you need to do is physically purchase or order online — indeed, it is that easy. But what is more important is that you know how and what tools are you buying.

Long story short - you should take notes and be well-aware before you actually invest in the tools.

Let's take hair clippers, for instance.

Hair clippers are the most essential tools of a barbershop, and this is the main reason why barbers have so many in their shops. But before buying the hair clippers, you might need a few essential instructions in advance.

For example:

• Cordless hair clippers, edgers, or trimmers are just as necessary when you buy the corded one; this will help you continue and finish the job in the absence of electricity.
• You can also try investing in an electricity backup generator if cordless tools do not work for you. Although it is a costly investment, it is definitely going to help you a lot.
• The reason for different trimmers in barbershops is that they have another purpose. To make your clients stylish and satisfied, try buying other clippers in terms of performance, cutting power, speed, comfortability. This will also help you get your work done accordingly. 
• Also, consider the weight and grip of the clippers when you are buying one; get those you feel comfortable holding. This can help you work more effectively and efficiently. 

Where to Shop for the Tools

Anyhow, for the barbers (primarily beginners) out there, buying the barbershop equipment can be tricky as most starters might not be familiar with the online/offline stores yet. 

You can get the right tools from beauty supply stores like Sally Beauty, online stores, or wholesalers. 

For the most part, I would recommend shopping from Amazon since they ship stuff quickly and have quality brand products in stock, most often unlike other online stores — they usually have their products sold out and take time to be in the stock again.

Best Barber Shop Tools For You to Buy

On to the main part, we have compiled a complete list of different essential tools to complete your shop, showcase your skills and gain more loyal clients along the way.

Hair Clippers

Hair clippers are the barber’s best friend — these clippers are durable and heavy-duty tools, and their lightweight designs can help you work efficiently for long hours without feeling your hand strained.

These clippers are used mainly by professional barbers because they save loads of time and make different detailed hairstyles like hair/beard shadings. 

These clippers come in corded or cordless options; barbers need to select what suits them best according to their daily workloads.

Corded clippers are usually preferred in busy barbershops since you won’t need to recharge them all day long, but make sure to have cordless clippers with you in case of no electricity, and you need to complete the cut.

Some of the top brands of hair clippers are Wahl, Andis, and Oster. For example, Wahl Clipper Deluxe Chrome Pro is one of the top-rated clippers on the market. But clippers from Oster, Andis, Philips are also known as workhorse clippers for many barbers.

However, barbers keep changing the clippers until they satisfy their needs — their choices keep swapping. You should choose the one that meets your budget and your needs. And if that does not work for you, you can always buy another one.

Hair Trimmers

Hair trimmers and clippers might sound similar, but they are not the same. The main difference is their blade differences; while the clippers are made to cut through longer hair, trimmers are often used on beard or shorter hair for more precise and detailed cutting. For example, hair fading, trimming hairline, or neckline.

There are plenty of hair trimmers to choose from but the ones popular right now are Wahl and Andis.

Hair Edgers

After every trim, it is essential to give your client the precise shape up or lineup. Hair edgers are great to give close details and form to the hair as a final touch-up; you can invest in edgers from popular brands like Wahl or Andis since they won’t let you down.

Barber Shears

Barber shears, commonly called scissors, are used to cut extra stray hair or give more detail and style to hair or beard.

Invest in a good quality pair of shears to prevent messing up your client's hair since the shears come with sharp blades. Buy one where your hand feels comfortable to hold for hours; this can help you work effectively. 

You can have clients with different hair types, so you will need two types of shears, one for cutting and the other for thinning of hair. 

The thinning shears are specially used on men with thick hair.

Some good-quality barber scissors and thinning shears are listed below.

Straight Razor

You definitely have seen these straight razors in barbershops; these old-school tools are traditional and still used, finishing up, shaving facial hair, or shaving the hair around the neckline.

For the better part, most straight-edge razors come with different sets of blades to replace the old ones. 

After shaving with a straight razor, you would require an aftershave lotion to make a client's experience even more mesmerizing since it makes the skin feel easy and smooth. You should definitely invest in an aftershave lotion along with a straight razor.

Barber Comb

The combs that barbers use differ from the hair comb at home; these combs are for different purposes. For instance, if you need to style, cut or control the hair, a wide-toothed comb is your best bet since its sole purpose is to keep the hair controlled for a detailed cut. 

And when giving the hair a fading look, a comb has teeth that go from short to long.

When styling hair while blow-drying them, you need to have a barber comb composed of heat-resistant material, just so it doesn’t get hot during the process.

Hair Dryer 

Hairdryers are essential tools for a barbershop; blowdryers are primarily used to give different styles to the hair or to blowdry the hair whenever needed.

Get a high-quality hairdryer that is also multi-functional, for example, adjusting the speed, temperature, etc.

Most of the cheap blowdryers at the market leave the hair rough and weak after using, so you should invest in a top-quality dryer; it can even help you earn positive reviews from your clients.

Barber Chair

It is essential that your clients feel comfortable while getting their hairstyles.

A barber chair needs to be comfy yet functional for you to rotate it around without hassle and without making your client feel annoyed. Its movement should be smooth, and the seatings should be thickly padded and still comfortable.

Poor-quality barber chairs are also one of the reasons clients do not stay, and that is understandable since no one would want to sit in an uncomfortable chair for an hour or so. 

A good barber chair should be well-made, designed, and have a hydraulic pump. And for the last part, it should match the looks of your shop.

Nose Trimmer

Men tend to grow hair in the tightest places, and the nose is one of them. For total grooming experience, a nose trimmer can be a great help.

This little device is a handy tool for a barber. However, you should invest in a good-quality nose trimmer that does not pull hair as it can be annoying for the client.

Professional Hair Cutting Cape

A cape is one of the most essential barber tools for a barbershop since that keeps the client collected and a sense of protection. Without the cape, the hair will be glued to a client's clothes and body, resulting in an itchy sensation, and nobody likes that.

Make sure to invest in a waterproof cape and more than one cape — having an extra cape can be helpful in certain situations. 

Hair Duster

A hair duster is a helpful little tool for every barbershop; it helps you keep away the stray hair from the front and back of your client's neck. Make sure you get a brush with soft bristles for a better client experience.

Mirror

A mirror is essential in a barbershop not because it suits the shop's decor but because it lets your client see how they would look before leaving the shop. 

Also, it can help you improve your skills since every client needs a different cut, and they would let you know if they want some changes in the style while still on the chair. That way, you can understand their opinions and improve yourself.

Cleaners and Disinfectants

Barbershops can get messy and grimy, it is essential to keep your shop and the tools cleaned to every bit. Invest in cleaning supplies like disinfectants to keep your shop clean from the floor, windows to brushes, scissors, and hair combs. 

After all, a clean shop is always preferred by most customers. 

Equipment Sterilizer

A hygienic environment is always necessary for barbershops. As we discussed earlier, a sterilizer can be a helpful tool to keep our equipment sterilized. This device uses germicidal bulbs to keep your tools sterilized and free of germs.

Though this device is not always necessary, it will positively impact your customers as a cleaned environment attracts more and more customers. 

Hair Vacuum

Barbershops are prone to fall hair; it is a fact that you can not stop the hair from falling down that you cut while styling your client. And it makes it super hard to clean the hair off of the floor without a good cleaning machine.

Invest in a hair vacuum to keep your shop hair-free, plus it makes it a lot easier and quicker to clean this way.

Skin Beard and Hair Products

These products hold the key to more potential clients. Most people go to the salon to get their hair and get a little extra. Invest in hair products, conditioners, lotions, and aftershave products to give your customers a lovely experience since razor blades cause redness, itchiness, and dryness.

If you can prevent that from happening, you can make these customers loyal for a long time.

Final Words

These products are the pillar of a barbershop. Make sure to keep your shop looking professional to the customer’s eye — it is as important as your skillset.

If not all, try to invest in the most important ones as this will help you grow even more. An equipment-filled shop is always a customer magnet.