Why Barber Shops and The Hair Forge Make the Perfect Pair

It’s not just about looking good; it’s about creating an experience. Some places get it. Funk's Barber Shop, downtown Chicago, is one of them.

In the world of men’s grooming, barbershops have always been more than just places for a quick trim. They’ve evolved into spaces where personal style, self-expression, and craftsmanship come together to create something unique for each person. With the rise of men wearing longer hair, the demand for stylish, functional grooming products is skyrocketing. That’s where The Hair Forge steps in—offering a distinct line of masculine hair accessories curated specifically for men who want to embrace their individuality.

Can you believe this hasn’t been done before? Sure, there has been stuff for guys. But it’s always buried on a women’s site, or it’s just recycled women’s products, given a different color, and packaged as something for dudes. But it’s still just a pig with lipstick. The Hair Forge is the first US brand dedicated solely to curating and creating accessories for men, with men in mind.

Ok, back to the barber connection. Barbers are not only trusted to give a great haircut—they’re trusted to shape a client’s look, identity, and confidence. And just like a great cut can define a person’s style, the right accessory can add that finishing touch. The Hair Forge provides exactly that: high-quality, eye-catching hair accessories that speak to the modern man’s evolving sense of style.

These accessories—whether it’s a sturdy clamp in the shape of a fish skeleton or a staff-like hairpin that could double as a medieval weapon—are made for men who want to stand out without losing their edge. The accessories are functional, durable, and ensure that they don’t just hold hair out of your face, but make a statement. This makes them the perfect addition to a barber’s toolkit, enhancing the look and feel of every cut.

For a barber to stand out today, they need to offer more than just traditional techniques; they need to adapt, innovate, and provide solutions that resonate with their clients. After all, Funk's Barber Shop’s tagline is “Class Service, Free Advice” after all. This ain’t your granddaddy’s barber!

To me, The Hair Forge fills a gap in the market that many barbers have struggled with—offering products that are functional, masculine, and stylish. While many hair accessories are designed with women in mind, The Hair Forge flips the script, giving men options that align with their identity and sense of self.

By partnering with The Hair Forge, barbershops have the chance to go beyond the basics, offering something new and different to their clients. Whether a man wants to pull back his hair for a sharp, polished look or wants to wear something that reflects his personality, barbers can now deliver with confidence.

The partnership between The Hair Forge and barbershops doesn’t just benefit clients—it adds real value to the business. Barbers who showcase The Hair Forge accessories can offer their clients a complete grooming experience that doesn’t end in the chair. These accessories become part of the post-cut conversation, turning a simple haircut into a personalized style journey. For barbershops looking to differentiate themselves, The Hair Forge provides a unique opportunity to offer something exclusive, functional, and attractive to modern men. Whether it’s through retail partnerships or simply incorporating these accessories into styling sessions, barbershops can now extend their services into a realm that has often been overlooked—helping men style their long hair with confidence and flair.

Funk's Barber Shop is the first barber to partner with us at The Hair Forge. The eclectic feel of the downtown Chicago establishment was a perfect fit to partner with for us. They saw something in our small, family-run business, still working out of our garage, that would enhance and highlight their place of business.

The Hair Forge’s very own stylist owns a salon in Janesville, Wisconsin, and was the first salon to feature our products. It’s called SchoolHouse Salon, which is very apropos, as this is where we have been learning how to break into the hair retail world. Sure, salons are geared more toward women, but women have been our biggest, first adopters, purchasing our product for the men in their lives: husbands, boyfriends, fathers, sons.

And now barbershops are bringing us to the front lines of fashion and style in the men’s world of hair care—one salon stool at a time.