Finding the finest barber chairs, especially the antique ones, is not easy. First, you have to check the condition. Second, you’ll need to verify the authenticity. These factors will mean the difference between an investment and an expense. To limit the search, we’ll find out and explore two of the most desired antique barber chairs for sale today.
In the world of collecting, collectors and hobbyists look for brand names that have a previous track record. Those in short supply or have stopped production are more valued since supply has already halted. Then again, who would want a termite-infested wooden antique chair or a broken vintage toy? That’s why even if the brand is reputable, condition has to be considered too. It simply has to be in good and working condition. For instance, an antique 19th century chair that can still function with all the bells and whistles is definitely worth a lot more than an equivalent chair from the attic that can barely stand on its own.
So what are the finest ones that you can find today?
The ones from Koken are the most popular in auction websites and other antique stores. Those from the 1800’s to the early 1900’s can cost anywhere from three hundred dollars up to six thousand dollars. These chairs are rare, but the ones that go out for sale are as functional as any modern furniture. That’s how sturdy they are. There are also authentic Koken barber chair parts for sale. They’re useful for restoration projects.
The man who founded the Koken brand was Ernest Koken. He was a tinkerer when he was young and loved making mock-ups of things to add functionality to them. While working for a factory that manufactured shaving mugs, he saw the need for a chair that can rise and fall with ease. Eventually, the hydraulic lift barber chair was born.
Another best selling barber chair is Emil J. Paidar. These chairs can go from $150 to as high as $4000 on the Internet. Chicago-based Emil J. Paidar was the top barber supply manufacturer in the early 1900’s. It struggled in the 1940’s but was able to recover after World War II. In the following decade though, the company was caught by surprise with the introduction of Belmont barber chairs, a flagship model by Takara Belmont. Competition was intense while the trend was also changing. Emil J. Paidar finally ceased operations when Takara bought out Koken Barber’s Supply. At that point, the lion’s share of the market was seized by Takara Belmont.