Scissors v clippers - what gives the best haircut?

Expert barber Thamer at The Art of Shaving in City Walk Dubai is a sultan of scissoring and believes the traditional blades provide a far better haircut than clippers. “I prefer scissors to electric clippers because they give me more control,” he explains. “Some barbers find it more difficult to use scissors and comb because you need experience and skill, but not me.”

The chief benefit of asking your barber to use scissors, he adds, is that it’s healthier for your hair. “Clippers can damage the hair and make it look spiky, but with scissors, the hair grows back better and smoother, which gives your hair better texture. The hair just sits better. Plus, scissors are less noisy than clippers obviously, so the haircut is a calmer experience.”

You can still achieve a fade with scissors, insists Thamer, and a scissor cut is also a good option for guys who want to grow their hair. His tip? “You want to trim the split ends of the hair if you’re growing it out, so get 1cm cut off every three weeks.”

The only drawback to a scissor cut, he admits, is that you’ll spend a little longer in the barber chair. “I’d say a scissor cut takes around 10 minutes more than using clippers, but that’s not much of a problem when you see the results.”