
Rodrick Samuels on The Silent Work, Modern Beauty Education and Why Empathy Wins
MODERN SALON sat down with Samuels to discuss the book, beauty education, mentorship and the habits that help beauty professionals thrive.
The old question is: "You are stuck on a deserted island. You can only have one haircutting tool. Which tool would you bring?"
The old question is: "You are stuck on a deserted island. You can only have one haircutting tool. Which tool would you bring?" Most people who know me would think I would pick a clipper. Wrong. I cannot take my clipper because it is a deserted island and there is no place to plug it in. The cordless clipper is not an option since I cannot recharge it once it’s dead.

Ivan Zoot
My pick is my blending scissors. A classic barber blender is the secret weapon of every great men's haircutter. The versatility and options available with a quality bending scissors are endless and exciting.
Proper shear-over-comb with a blender lets you take a surface down smoothly and progressively. If you have strong shear-over-comb skills you can put out an amazing taper. If your shear-over-comb skills are in need of more development there is no better tool than a blender to build this important skill and the confidence to deliver it.
Strong lines and geometric shapes can be created with a good blender. The teeth of a good blender are finer and closer than notching shears. Grasping a section and repeatedly taking it down will produce precision lines that fall beautifully. Some of the dry hair cutting masters like Yosh are wizards with a blending scissors, creating very impressive, classic shapes with ease.
Layering with a barber blender is the key to smooth transitions and many classic guy looks. No guy haircut is properly finished without the touches of a blending scissors.
Blending with a blender? Do I even need to explain that one?
A world class blending scissors is a career investment that will pay off every day in the shop and can be indispensable on that deserted island.
I guess the only question left is "Who are you going to cut?" The island is deserted.

MODERN SALON sat down with Samuels to discuss the book, beauty education, mentorship and the habits that help beauty professionals thrive.

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