State of the Barber Industry: Guard Chasing
This article originally appeared in my newsletter, theGuideline. Sign up and get trending barber content sent right to your inbox every Monday.
In case you missed the last 6 weeks, we are running a special mini-series to close out 2023. Each week, we share a theme related to the current State of the Barber Industry.
The themes are based on content we have shared throughout the year.
01: Clash of the Chargers
02: The 6 Figure Barber
03: The Rise of Hair Consultations
04: Influencer Marketing Trends
05: Using the Whole License
06: Sanitation Innovation
07: Guard Chasing
As a punishment, my barber instructor would sometimes not allow students to cut with guards. She would say things like: 'If you're a real barber, you don't need guards.'
It was a questionable tactic she used to force students to use other techniques like clipper-over-comb and shear-over-comb.
On the one hand, barbers should not be fully reliant on guards, but to say you're not a real barber...come on. Some barbers do end up guard chasing, but it's difficult to deny their efficiency and practicality.
In an effort to help barbers blend better, there has been some attempted guard innovation this year. Let's take a look.
WezTeck One Blade
A blade and guard combo that allows you to go from 0 to 2, 2 to 4 and 4 to 6. It saves you time by eliminating the need to exchange multiple guards. There was a lot of anticipation on this product. It was unlike anything we had seen. Pick it up for $60.
Blur Guard
Then there was the Blur Guard. Originally a guard but now comes as a metal blade too. This taper style blade is compatible with any Wahl style bracket holes, such as Gamma, Ergo, Babyliss, JRL etc. When zero gapped it cuts from a 0 and opens to a 1. If you don’t zero gap the blade, it can open from a .5 to a 2. The metal guard retails for $50 and the plastic guard is $20.
Blend Frend
"Allows you to blend hair like a pro, without the need of skill or experience!" This one seemed to fall flat with barbers, but maybe practical for someone trying to save money and cut their own hair?Based on the review from Seancutshair, I'll probably pass.
So, why does this matter?
Guards aren't going anywhere and there's been innovation everywhere: clipper designs, charging methods etc. We shouldn't be surprised that there are attempts at guard innovation as well.
At the end of the day, every barber has their own tools and techniques. Cherry the Barber said it best
"Don't feel pressured to buy into the new trends. Stack your money. Act broke."
The problem might not be the tool, it might be the technique.
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Written by Matthew Mendoza
Licensed barber, educator and consultant based in California. He is passionate about helping barbers pass their barber exam, develop their business and diversify their income.
He hosts a podcast, writes a weekly newsletter for the modern barber and offers 1-on-1 consulting.
