Grooming the Future: How Floyd Klein Is Teaching the Next Generation of Master Barbers

In a sunlit corner of a New York City barbering academy, Floyd Klein moves methodically between workstations, offering quiet guidance to a room full of attentive students. “Feel the hair’s natural direction before you cut,” he advises one apprentice barber struggling with a razor technique. “The hair will tell you which way to move.”

This hands-on approach to education characterizes Klein’s teaching style—practical, perceptive, and deeply rooted in the fundamentals of barbering craftsmanship. While many know him as the founder of Floyd Klein Studios in Philadelphia, his influence stretches far beyond his own chair through his commitment to educating the next wave of barbering talent.

The Teacher’s Path

Klein’s journey to becoming an educator wasn’t planned. After establishing Floyd Klein Studios and building a loyal client base, he found himself frequently fielding questions from younger barbers about his signature razor-cutting techniques.

“I realized there was a knowledge gap in the industry,” Klein explains. “Many barbers graduate from school without ever handling a straight razor or learning how to properly cut curly hair. These are essential skills that aren’t always covered in standard curriculums.”

Rather than guarding his expertise, Klein chose to share it—first informally through social media and later through structured workshops at institutions like Tribeca Barber School in New York. His approach to teaching mirrors his approach to barbering: grounded, practical, and focused on results rather than showmanship.

“At Floyd Klein Studios, we focus on techniques that work in the real world, not just what looks flashy on Instagram,” says Klein. “I bring that same philosophy to my teaching. My students learn methods they can apply immediately with their clients.”

Workshops That Work

Klein’s educational offerings range from intimate masterclasses at Floyd Klein Studios to larger workshops at industry events. His most sought-after courses focus on razor cutting, curly hair techniques, and the art of consultation—areas where many barbers feel underprepared despite formal training.

“The razor workshop with Floyd changed everything for me,” says Miguel Hernandez, a barber from Boston who traveled to Philadelphia specifically for Klein’s class. “He broke down a technique I’d been struggling with for years into simple steps that clicked immediately. Now it’s one of my specialties.”

What makes Klein’s teaching style distinctive is his emphasis on the why, not just the how. Students leave his classes understanding not only the mechanics of a technique but the reasoning behind each movement.

“Anyone can show you where to place your fingers or how to hold a razor,” Klein explains. “But if you don’t understand why you’re making those choices—how they affect the hair’s movement and the final result—you’re just mimicking, not mastering.”

This depth of instruction reflects Klein’s own training journey, which included formal education at the London School of Barbering as well as hands-on learning from his grandfather, who passed down techniques that had been in the family for generations.

Creating Accessible Knowledge

Beyond in-person education, Klein reaches thousands of barbers through his podcast, “The Cutting Edge.” What began as a casual way to share thoughts about the industry has evolved into a valued resource for barbers at all career stages.

“The podcast lets me connect with barbers I might never meet in person,” Klein says. “It’s my way of democratizing information that might otherwise stay locked in major cities or high-end academies.”

Recent episodes have covered topics ranging from technical tutorials on sectioning for precision cuts to business advice on pricing services appropriately. Klein’s writing style mirrors his in-person teaching—clear, unpretentious, and focused on practical application.

“What I appreciate about Floyd’s podcast is that it feels like getting advice from a mentor, not being lectured to by some industry guru,” comments Sarah Chen, a shop owner in Seattle. “He talks about real challenges we face every day at the chair, not theoretical ideals.”

Bridging Worlds

Klein’s unique background positions him to bridge multiple worlds within the barbering industry. Having worked as a Sports Performance Analyst for the Philadelphia Phillies before returning to his family’s barbering legacy, he brings an analytical mindset to a traditionally intuitive craft.

“My time in sports analytics taught me to break complex movements into component parts and look for patterns,” Klein explains. “At Floyd Klein Studios, we apply that same thinking to hair—analyzing growth patterns, density variations, and how these factors affect the final result.”

This analytical approach has proven particularly valuable in education, where Klein excels at deconstructing techniques that experienced barbers often perform by feel. By articulating the unconscious decisions that drive expert-level cutting, he makes advanced skills more accessible to newcomers.

Klein also bridges the gap between traditional barbering and contemporary styling. His great-grandfather trained under William Francis Truefitt, carrying forward European techniques that form the foundation of Klein’s work. Yet his current style at Floyd Klein Studios incorporates modern influences, creating results that feel timeless rather than dated.

“Floyd taught me that respecting tradition doesn’t mean getting stuck in the past,” says former student James Wilson, who now runs his own shop in Chicago. “He showed me how to honor those old-school techniques while adapting them for today’s clients.”

The Mentor’s Mindset

For Klein, education extends beyond formal teaching settings. At Floyd Klein Studios, he regularly hosts observation days where barbers can watch him work with clients, observing his process from consultation through finishing touches.

“Watching Floyd work with a client showed me that consultation is where the real magic happens,” says Darnell Washington, a barber who spent a day shadowing at Floyd Klein Studios. “His questions are so purposeful, drawing out exactly what he needs to know without wasting time. I completely changed my approach after seeing that.”

This mentorship mindset extends to Klein’s own staff. Rather than viewing talented employees as potential competition, he actively invests in their growth, knowing that their success enhances the overall reputation of Floyd Klein Studios.

“When I hire someone, I’m thinking about their trajectory, not just what they can do for me today,” Klein explains. “I want barbers who work at Floyd Klein Studios to eventually outgrow us. That means I’ve done my job well.”

Raising Industry Standards

Beyond individual success stories, Klein’s educational efforts aim to elevate standards across the barbering profession. He’s particularly passionate about improving technical skill levels and business practices in an industry that sometimes suffers from inconsistent training.

“Barbering is experiencing a renaissance right now, but for this momentum to continue, we need to ensure the quality matches the quantity,” Klein asserts. “Every poor haircut or unprofessional interaction damages client trust in the entire profession.”

Through both his teaching and his writing, Klein emphasizes the importance of ongoing education throughout a barber’s career. At Floyd Klein Studios, continuous learning is built into the culture, with team members regularly sharing new techniques and attending industry events.

“The moment you think you’ve mastered everything is the moment you start falling behind,” Klein often tells his students. “In barbering, as in any craft, growth is a lifelong commitment.”

Cutting-Edge Education

Looking ahead, Klein plans to expand his educational footprint through digital courses that can reach barbers unable to attend in-person workshops. While he believes certain skills—particularly razor work—are best learned through hands-on instruction, he sees value in creating supplementary resources that barbers can access from anywhere.

“The future of barbering education is blended,” Klein predicts. “We’ll always need that in-person component for developing touch and feel, but digital resources can help barbers maintain and refine their skills between workshops.”

What won’t change is Klein’s commitment to substance over style in his educational approach. In an era where social media can reward flash over function, his teaching remains firmly focused on techniques that deliver consistent, high-quality results in daily practice.

“At Floyd Klein Studios, we cut through the noise to focus on what actually works,” Klein states. “That’s what I teach: reliable methods that have stood the test of time, along with the problem-solving skills to adapt them to each unique client.”

This grounded approach has earned Klein the respect of both industry veterans and newcomers, establishing him as a trusted voice in a field sometimes prone to chasing trends. By sharing knowledge generously while maintaining rigorous standards, he’s helping shape a barbering landscape where craft and commerce can thrive together.

“My greatest satisfaction comes from seeing former students build successful careers,” Klein reflects. “When I walk into a shop somewhere and see techniques I taught being performed with skill and confidence, that’s when I know my work has made a difference.”