Zero-degree Haircuts, Clipper Work and Soft Skills: Barbering Students Hit the Ground Running

School has only been in session for a handful of weeks, and the Barbering students in James Ricciardo’s class at Bixhorn Tech are already moving at an accelerated pace.

His first-year students are hard at work practicing a variety of new techniques. Many grabbed mannequin heads and shears in a recent class to continue the lesson on what’s called the zero-degree, or elevated, haircut. It is also known as a blunt haircut because the hair is combed straight down to get it as flat as possible before cutting. It sounds easy, but it’s a difficult skill to master.

Said Ricciardo, “Pulling the hair straight down and following a guide, at this point in their training, is not that simple. The goal is to take off a half-inch or an inch, but it’s very common for students to step back from their work and realize they’ve actually taken off three inches. They’re learning to accurately measure.”

Others are honing clipper craft by working on fades and tapering. Ricciardo again emphasized that these proficiencies are difficult to master. Case in point: students often practice on each other, and one accidentally cut the outline of a classmate’s hair shorter on one side. No worries, Ricciardo fixed his hair and explained how to guarantee success on the next attempt.

“I’m extremely pleased with the progress this class is making,” he said. “They’re all quickly grasping the basics and working in teams to help each other. There’s a lot of camaraderie here.”

The barbering program also opened its doors to classmates and staff throughout the building for services. This offers real-world opportunities to practice multiple techniques and invaluable soft skills.

“Today’s student barbers work on a range of skills,” Ricciardo explained. “My students not only offer services to peers but to staff members, veterans, community members, and even students from our special education programs. True professionals know how to communicate with all members of our diverse society.”