Here in downtown New York City I've noticed a resurgence of traditional barber shops, mostly kitted out in time-warp fashion. It got me wondering if anyone still makes the classic barbershop chair.
I spotted the one above online, with the word KOKEN stamped into the metal footrest.
Further investigation reveals there's a Japanese company that's been around since 1921, Takara Belmont, that makes a modernized Koken Legacy chair:
However, as Japanese-sounding as Koken is, that's not where the name comes from. Ernest Koken was a German immigrant to the U.S. who wasn't the first to develop a barbershop chair, but was the first to incorporate the hydraulic lift (in either 1900 or 1906, depending on who you listen to). Today you can still find Koken chairs on eBay, but prices are in the thousands.
Incidentally, if anyone's thinking of making their own barbershop chair, the aforementioned Takara Belmont Company sells the standalone hydraulic bases.
Some are operated by foot pedal, some are motorized, and you can check 'em out here.
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