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In the late ninetieth century, Ernest Koken invented the first hydraulic Koken barber chair. In the year of 1874 Koken originally started being in business by producing and selling hand painted shaving mugs. He also started distributing. Despite that you seldom will find one of those hand-painted mugs or a coin you can find a Koken barber chair in antique shops all over the United States. If you travel around, maybe you sometimes will find a Koken barber chair still be used in some small barber shops.

In his time, the Koker barber chair represented the state of the art of craftsmanship in the barber shop supply industry. The barber chair was regarded as the reference model of a barber chair. The made of the chair was praised to be highest quality and outstanding classy and furnished with a solid guarantee.

But what was the invention of Ernest Koken, a German immigrant, really?. Before the Koken barber chair appeared on the scene, barber chairs had swivels to adjust bodyhight of the customer to the size of the barber. This was necessary to perform a perfect haircut. In particular if a customer got his hairs washed, he had to bow back. In this case, a swivel chair was very unstable and the swivel could be distorted. The hydraulic Koker barber chair eliminated this disadvantage. Now the barber could adjust the whole chair with a foot operated hydraulic pump to move the chair up and down. This pump was strong enough to move the seating up and down while the customer was sitting on the chair.

While most of the former swivel barber chairs made of wood, now the customers felt more save and comfortable with the new barber chair. The Koken barber chair framework was made out of steel mainly. It has a heavy steel stand to avoid it to topple. The upholstery of the backrest, the seating and the armrest was made from leather and had a thick padding. The Koken barber chair was the first chair which came with a footrest and a cushioned headrest.

The Koken barber chair in those times was a sort of mass product, admitted with a outstanding art deco style, and become part of the culture, one can find a lot of them in antique shops or auctions as well on ebay. Some of the Koken barber chairs survived in good condition while other had to be restored in different extend.

At St. Lois the Koken manufacturing co. still operates and produces stylish and durable chairs for the barber and beauty industry. At least some of the fame of the founder outlasted until today.

None of the members of the Koken family has is involved in producing Koken barber chairs since more then 65 years. The company now is a subsidiary of Japanese manufacturers Takara-Belmont, the world's largest producers of barber and dentist chairs.

When discussing vintage barber chairs, the first name that comes to mind is the classic Koken barber chair. Earnest Koken invented the first ever hydraulic barber chair in the late nineteenth century. The original chair was the first to feature such amenities as a cushioned headrest, a swivel and a footrest. All models of barber chairs since then have incorporated these features in their efforts to ensure the ultimate comfort of the client. Where can you find vintage Koken barber chairs nowadays?

These classic chairs can only be found online and in antique shops. If looking online, an excellent place to start is on eBay. This auction site offers a special category of antique barber chairs making it an incredible source for finding Koken barber chairs. You can also try the many classified ad sites on the Internet, such as Craigslist. These vintage chairs can often be found in mint condition. However, keep in mind that many of the chairs you will find will have been refurbished to look as good as new. When shopping for these classic chairs, it is advisable to find out if it still has all of the original materials and parts. Most sellers of antique barber chairs will be honest with you and inform you if any refurbishing has occurred.

In the many years that Koken was making barber chairs, they were able to manufacture and produce some very stylish and elegant models. Some of these models can still be seen in mint condition by visiting the various web sites that sell antique barber chairs. The Koken barber chair is considered by antique collectors and enthusiasts as being in a class above the rest. It brings you back to an era when going to the barber was a peaceful and family affair. The company even produced Koken barber chairs for children. One specially designed model came with its own carousel style horse head. It was a favorite for children going to the barber for their first haircut. Many of them were more than delighted to return time after time just to be able to sit in this special chair.

Vintage barber chairs can be found easily on the Internet. The key is finding classic chairs in mint condition and at a good price. The price of antique barber chairs, such as Koken barber chairs, depends on numerous factors. The actual age and the current condition of the barber chair are the most important determinants in the asking price. You should look around at the various antique dealers in your neighborhood and see if you can find a real hidden treasure. You can also go online and look for that Koken barber chair that is right for you and your pocketbook. Some Koken barber chairs in mint condition will cost you an arm and a leg. You might opt for buying a refurbished chair that looks and feels just like the original. In buying a Koken barber chair, you will know that you are buying a time tested barber chair of superb quality and craftsmanship.

Takara Belmont is the maker of various Belmont barber chair models. They are a Japanese firm that specializes in making both barber chairs and dental chairs. They also manufacture other dental and barber equipment. The company Takara Belmont boasts that it is and industry leader in salon and spa equipment design. The company has been manufacturing exquisite barber chairs for many years. You can find an assortment of new and used Belmont barber chairs in many web sites online. They are often seen in auction sites and classified web sites.

Takara Belmont Alivio

This lovely Belmont barber chair model is made with quality and elegance. It is a fully electric barber chair, with the controls on the side of the chair. It has extremely cushy padding made of the finest material available. The style and craftsmanship of the Takara Belmont Alivio makes it one of the most elegant barber chairs in the market. One of its coolest features is the removable armrests. The removable armrests can be especially useful in accommodating large or disabled customers. It also has a built in headrest and outlet. This Belmont barber chair model comes in many lovely colors, such as brown, yellow, maroon, black, camel and ivory.

Takara Belmont Regalo II

This model is one of the industry leaders in luxury and sophistication. It is Takara Belmont's flagship chair and the most popular Belmont barber chair model. The Regalo II is fully motorized, with its adjustable headrest and motorized back. It has a two position preset and an auto reset position. Its foot heater on the footrest is sure to delight even the most finicky clients. This chair is extremely comfortable and cushy. Its standard color is black and comes with a silver frame. However, the fabric and body on this Belmont barber chair model is available in many different colors. There is the dark blue fabric, red or green upholstery with silver body, or the black, red, green upholstery and dark blue fabric, with a black body.

Takara Belmont Vario

The beautiful and elegant Belmont barber chair is made with the deluxe comfort of the client in mind. It offers many of the same features of the Takara Belmont Regalo. This chair comes with an adjustable headrest, a motorized back and base. It features a roll-up footrest and a vibrator on backrest. The armrests come in both black and brown leather. The standard fabric color of this chair is in white, black, yellow, chocolate and chestnut.

Takara Belmont Elegance

Sometimes the name says it all, as it does with this incredible elegant Belmont barber chair. The Elegance style and design is meant to portray that nostalgic look that is so popular in classic barber chairs. The Elegance comes with either a hydraulic or motorized base. You have the option of deciding whether or not you want the headrest. If you want a barber chair with a special color, do not worry, as the Elegance comes in two grades of fabric and over 50 colors.

There are so many products needed in the operation of a barber shop that finding a source for low cost barber shop supplies is crucial for saving money. An excellent source for barber shop supplies is the Internet. You can find a large number of online sites that specialize in barber shop supplies. The supplies you will need in a barber shop will depend on the type of services you offer. The best thing is that you can find virtually almost anything needed online, for your place of business.

There are many barber supplies that can be found online, such as styling combs, barber chairs, wash basins, supply trolleys or racks, facial beds, steaming machines, manicure and pedicure sets, trimmers, brushes, clippers and scissors. You can also get great deals on conditioners and shampoos. If you are offering hair coloring as a service, then you will need hair coloring dye.

In your list of barber shop supplies, make sure that you have adequate shaving supplies. This includes, but is not limited to, razor blades, shaving gels, and shaving creams. Due to the many customers you will be shaving, it is vital that you always have an ample supply of sterilizers and disinfectants for cleaning of the shaving instruments. This will make sure that you meet all health and sanitary requirements established by law. Other items that you may also need include; mirrors, towels, neck stripes, after shave lotion and gels.

It is essential that you have a steady inventory of needed barber shop supplies in order to run your barber shop. None of these supplies are hard to find, so you should never run out of them. You can look for barber shop supplies via the Internet at barber supply stores. Barber supply stores have a wide selection of all basic barbering supplies and other related products. For some things you may have to go to barber supplies apparel stores. Things like barber jackets and aprons are more easily found in apparel stores.

Discount barber supply shops are a super place to obtain all your needed supplies at a fraction of the costs of regular supply stores and retail outlets. The deals you can find at these discount sites will truly amaze you and save you lots of money in the long run. There are also some used barber equipment and supplies stores that have incredible deals on barber shop supplies. Make sure you visit several different online sites and compare and contrast the various products they have for sale. With a little effort on your part, you can find the best bargains available on the Internet.

Running a barber shop can be very expensive and in these tough economic times it is even tougher. Your goal should be to try and save as much as you can, without lowering your standards of quality and service. You can still maintain your high level of service if you learn where to get the best deals on the supplies you use in your profession. Look online and pay reduced prices for your most needed barber shop supplies.

In looking for antique barber chairs you will find that there are many places that sell them. However, the quality of the chairs available will vary greatly. For that reason, it is important that you do your research and spend time searching for the chair that's right for you. People look for antique barber chairs for many different reasons and purposes. For some it is to re-live a bit of their past, for others it is to match the decoration and theme of their hair saloon or barber shop, and for some it is simply to make money on reselling the chairs. There are some very important things you need to look for when selecting which barber chair to buy.

The overall condition of classic barber chairs can vary greatly. It is wise to know what it is you are looking for in a chair before you begin searching. The style and condition of the chair is usually a main consideration in determining the value of the chair. The actual age of the chair can also be a very important factor in its price. Some classic chairs in mint condition can cost up to $5,000. Original Koken barber chairs are the most sought out and pricey chairs today.

Regardless of the year it was manufactured, some antique barber chairs remain in super mint condition. The care and treatment that some chairs receive allow them to look just like they did when they were first made. There are many people who specialize in the restoration of antique barber chairs and leave the chairs in tip top shape. If you want to purchase an antique barber chair online, make sure that you are able to see the exact condition it is in. Photos can be touched up and the chair made to appear to look better than it really does. Make sure you compare and contrast the various chairs available in the market and don't just buy the first antique chair that catches your eye. The costs of antique barber chairs can range from a couple of hundred dollars to thousands of dollars. The price of the chair will be based on several factors, such as actual age, materials used, style, design and special qualities. Shop around and get to know the different prices of several chairs before making your purchase.

The reasons people look to buy antique barber chairs is as varied as the chairs themselves. Some want to experience a bit of nostalgia in the purchase of their chair. Others are looking for a great investment opportunity. With the increasing popularity of antique barber chairs, many look to buy these chairs so they can resell them at a later date. Internet auction sites are full of antique items on sale and they have many antique barber chairs for sale.

Antique barber chairs make a lovely addition to any home or business. By doing a little research you can save lots of money in the purchase of your classic chair. Shop around and compare and contrast the various models around.