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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
 012 543 503 8 
 
 Hollinger Corp. 
 P H8.5 
 

 PREPARATORY PRACTICE MOVEMENTS FOR THE BARBER APPRENTICE 
 
 The Athlete, preparing for special training excen ises the muscles by a scientific sytem of 
 movements. So should the barber apprentice, and for this purpose we offer this set of diagrams 
 for preparatory work. 
 
 The method and manner of handling instruments in the barber profession can be acquired 
 by a tew moments' daily practice as given here. 
 
 The positions to be attained and the movements acquired can be accomplished by home 
 study and practice and are intended to save time for one after having joined our school. These 
 movements can be practiced and studied in connection with our Manual to best advantage. 
 
 Any razor, strop, hone or comb that you may now have will answer the purpose for 
 practice work, but the shear should be one made for regular barber work. These exercises 
 should be made a daily' habit until success has been attained. 
 
 PREPARING HANDS 
 
 In preparing the hands for these exercises try the following: 
 
 Soak the hands daily in hot soapie water from five to ten minutes; then apply a good 
 skin food (not a vanishing cream), similar to the formula given here. 
 
 Almond Oil 4 ounces 
 
 Spermaceti 1 ounce 
 
 White Wax 1 ounce 
 
 Benzoin 2 drops 
 
 Oil of Rose 1 drop 
 
 Heat almond oil, wax and spermaceti in double boiler until melted, add benzoin and oil 
 of rose while cooling, and stir continually until thoroughly whitened. 
 
 After having applied the cream to the hands and wrists, rub each with a wringing movement 
 using sufficient pressure to work every muscle and joint without straining or spraining; then 
 take each finger separately, giving the joints a wringing movement until the knuckles and 
 joints feel quite limber; then take the end of each finger separately with the fingers of the other 
 hand and give it a rotary movement. Keep the hand relaxed so that each joint will be moved 
 and put in play. 
 
 After an exercise of about five minutes daily, wash hands again and apply the following 
 lotion that can be made up at any drug store from this formula: 
 
 Equal parts of Witch Hazel 
 Bay Rum 
 Glycerine 
 Rose Water. 
 
 To each six ounces add one teaspoonful camphor. 5 drops of carbolic acid. 
 
 Rub it in well with a wringing movement and repeat as often as condition requires until 
 the hands are soft and elastic. 
 

 FREE HAND 
 
 This movement is used in 
 actual work at the chair for 
 shaving the right side of the 
 face, the left side of the chin, 
 and the upward movement of 
 both right and left sides of the 
 neck. It is the most general 
 and one of the easiest move- 
 ments used in shaving. 
 
 ©CU457405 M *R 12 1917 
 
Copyrighted by A. B. Moler, 1917 
 
 MOVEMENT NO. 1 
 
 Take razor in right hand, handle between little and third finger. Raise 
 both elbows nearly level with the shoulders. Take position as if shaving. 
 Hold left hand back of razor as if stretching the skin tight under the razor. 
 
 Move razor in right hand toward you with a diagonal stroke toward 
 the point, a sliding movement, then back and forth like sawing. The length 
 of strokes should be from 8 inches to a foot. 
 
 Continue to practice it daily until it becomes easy. 
 
 Avoid allowing the razor to swing by bending the wrist. Movement is all from the elbow to the hand. 
 Always keep the elbow up so that the razor will be carried from above. 
 
 The tendency is to take the handle of the razor between the second and third fingers and draw the 
 blade straight forward which is not a cutting stroke. 
 
 Further instructions on this movement are given on page 56 of our Manual. 
 
Copyrighted by A. B. Moler, 1917 
 
 BACK HAND 
 
 This movement is used in 
 actual work at the chair for 
 shaving the right side of the 
 chin, the left side of the face, 
 the left side of the neck shaving 
 down and the left side of the 
 upper lip. It is one of the most 
 difficult movements and next in 
 importance to the Free Hand. 
 
Copyrighted by A. B. Moler, 1917 
 
 MOVEMENT NO. 2 
 
 Take razor in right hand with handle bent back, the shank of the 
 razor resting on the first two joints of the first two fingers and held in place 
 by the thumb on the back of the shank of the razor, — the blade from you 
 and the handle pointing toward you. 
 
 Raise the elbow nearly as high as the shoulder, the back of the hand 
 directly from you, the wrist slightly bent downward. Hold the left hand 
 as if stretching the skin tight under the razor. 
 
 Move the razor in the right hand forward from you with a sliding stroke toward the point. Length 
 of stroke from 8 inches to one foot. Use a forward and back stroke like sawing. 
 
 Be sure that the elbow is kept up so that the razor is carried and not pushed from you. 
 
 The knack is in keeping the point of the razor ahead and in carrying it diagonally toward the point. 
 
 The tendency is to drop the elbow and move the razor forward with a straight pushing stroke. 
 
 Further instructions on this movement are given on page 57 of our Manual. 
 
Copyrighted by A. B. Moler, 1917 
 
 REVERSE HAND 
 
 This movement is used in 
 actual work at the chair for 
 either right or left side of the 
 neck shaving up. It is not as 
 generally used by the barber as 
 the other two movements for it 
 is one of the most difficult move- 
 ments to acquire. It is a labor 
 saver and should be mastered. 
 
 r 
 
ihted by A. B. fcloler. 1917 
 
 MOVEMENT NO. 3 
 
 Take razor in right hand with the edge toward you just the reverse 
 of Movement No. 2. This will bring the handle between the ends of the 
 little and third finger. The handle bent slightly back. 
 
 Move the razor toward you with a slightly upward movement drawing 
 toward you and toward the heel in a diagonal direction. The length of 
 the movement is from 4 to 6 inches. 
 
 Hold the left hand as if pulling the skin tight under the razor. 
 
 The tendency is to bring the razor straight up without the sawing or sliding stroke. 
 
 Avoid letting the razor swing by bending the wrist. The movement is from the elbow to the hand. 
 The only wrist movement is a slight turn of the wrist to throw the edge up as it is moved forward. A half 
 dipping movement. 
 
i !op> ! i -• 1 1 1 .- d by A. II. Moli 
 
 
 I IT 
 
 
 DOUBLE BACK HAND 
 
 This movement is used in 
 actual work at the chair for 
 making the outline of the hair 
 
 cut. It is used on the left side, 
 back of the ear. The position 
 is quite difficult but practice 
 will attain it. 
 
Copyrighted by A. B. Moler, 1917 
 
 MOVEMENT NO. 4 
 
 Take razor in right hand as in Movement No. 2. Drop the elbow 
 close to the side, turn the palm of the hand up with the razor in a position 
 that will bring the point down. 
 
 Raise the left arm and hand in a position as if drawing the skin tight 
 under the razor. 
 
 The movement is a slight forward movement toward the edge of the 
 razor. 
 
 Practice is required to attain the position. The movement is not 
 difficult. 
 
 The tendency is to hold the blade horizontal instead of nearly perpendicular. 
 Further instructions on this movement are given on page 77 of our Manual. 
 
ghted by A. B. Moler, 1917 
 
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 6. 
 
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 V) 
 
 STRAPPING 
 
 This movement is shown with 
 no intent of putting a razor in 
 condition but simply to offer 
 instructions in the proper man- 
 ner of rolling the razor in the 
 hand while strapping. Do not 
 feel that you have acquired it by 
 a few minutes' work. Rapid 
 movement is necessary but let 
 it come to you gradually as you 
 practice. 
 
Copyrighted by A. B. Molcr, 1917 
 
 
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 MOVEMENT NO. 5 
 
 Hold the strap firmly in the left hand so it cannot sag. Hold close to 
 the side about as high as the hip. Take razor in right hand, well up into the 
 hand with the side of the thumb resting on the shank in a manner that will 
 permit of turning the razor in the hand as if rolling a stick or lead pencil. 
 
 Start at farthest end of strap, draw toward back of razor 
 from I to I 1-2 feet. Turn the razor on the back of the blade by rolling it 
 in the hand which brings the other side of the thumb onto the shank and the 
 fingers grasping the handle so that the blade cannot open or close. 
 
 The knack is in turning the blade without turning the hand. 
 
 The tendency is to either keep the handle and shank of the razor at the ends of the fingers and partly 
 turn the hand with the razor, or to lift each finger while turning the razor. 
 
 Some patience and diligent practice will be required for this movement. 
 
 Bear just heavy enough on the strap to feel the razor draw. 
 
 Further instructions on this movement are given on pages 50 and 51 of our Manual. 
 
htc ,i by A. B. Moler, 1!U7 
 
 J 
 
 HONING 
 
 The instruction for honing, 
 like the strapping movement, is 
 only to help in exercising and 
 not in the actual preparation of 
 the razor. The movement as 
 we illustrate it has been mastered 
 by comparatively few barbers 
 but it is the secret to successful 
 honing— learn it and be successful. 
 
 -J 
 
 ^ 
 
Cop righted by A. B. Moler, 1917 
 
 I ' 
 
 MOVEMENT NO. 6 
 
 The hone can be held in the hand or on a shelf. If on a shelf it should 
 be at the very outer edge so that the top of the stand will not interfere with 
 the movement of the hand, and the position taken with the left side to the 
 shelf. 
 
 Hold the razor in the right hand with the first finger over the shank 
 of the razor perfectly straight, and the ball of the thumb at the joint of the 
 blade and handle of the razor. The other three fingers around the handle 
 in such a manner that the second finger will hold the shank of the razor in 
 place to keep it from opening or closing. 
 
 The movement is forward on the hone from the heel to the point diagonally across the stone with the razor perfectly flat 
 from heel to point and from edge to the hack. 
 
 This finishes the stroke with the point of the tazor at the nearer edge of the hone. Now turn the razor on to the hack of 
 the blade without turning the hand over and slide toward the other edge of the hone in position for the return stroke. 
 
 1 he knack is to turn the razor in the hand without turning the hand. In rolling the razor it will bring the other side of 
 the thumb in contact with the shank and the finger will oscillate over the side of the shank as the blade is tinned from side to side. 
 
 The first finger must not be bent or lifted and the other three fingers must be held in such a position that they will roll 
 the razor from side to side at the end of each stroke without lifting the fingers. 
 
 The tendency is to keep taking a new hand hold to avoid turning the hand but this should not be done. It is well to prac- 
 tice with a coin or some small weight on the back of the hand and go through the movements without allowing it to fall off. 
 
 Further instructions on this movement is given on page 50 of our Manual. 
 
.It.,! by V. B, Moler, 1917 
 
 SHEARS AND COMB 
 
 This movement is used in 
 actual work at the chair for 
 cutting the entire lower part 
 of the hair, while cutting over 
 the comb. It is an exercise 
 that requires considerable 
 practice as the hand tires 
 quickly and should be trained 
 to the position. 
 
' ' "[. * i ighted by A. B. Moler, 1917 
 
 MOVEMENT NO. 7 
 
 Hold shear in the right hand with the third finger in the ferrule and the 
 little finger resting on the short lip that is made for it. 
 
 The first and second fingers are to be bent over the handle of the shears 
 in such a manner that it will hold it firmly in the hand. The ferrule should 
 never be allowed to pass beyond the second joint of the finger. The thumb 
 in the other ferrule never allowed to pass the first joint 
 
 The thumb should be so bent and held in position that it will keep the ferrule in place. 
 
 The comb must be held in the left hand with the fingers at the end of the teeth and the thumb at the back of the comb 
 so that it can be turned in the hand for combing up through the bait and down again through the hair after the work oi the shears. 
 
 One blade of the shears is to be held rigid by the finger while the thumb operates the cutting blade, the comb to be held 
 parallel with the still blade of the shear. 
 
 Take a position with the shear and comb both held to the right with the point of the shear pointing toward you. < (perate 
 the cutting blade with the thumb and move the shears and comb together in an upward direction about one foot, keeping the cutting 
 blade in motion as if cutting hair. When at the highest point turn the teeth of the comb down in the hand and bring the hands 
 down as if combing through the hair. Turn the teeth of the comb up again and repeat. 
 
 The tendency is to hold the shears and comb directly in front of you. 
 
 The knack is in keeping the one blade still while operating the other blade with the thumb and in moving both sheats and 
 comb upward at the same time. 
 
 Further instructions on this movement is given on pages 76 and 77 of our Manual. 
 
Copyrighted by A. B. Moler, 1917 
 
 HANDLING TOWEL 
 
 This movement in actual work at the 
 chair is used not only for drying every 
 part of the face but for washing it as 
 well, and the properly trained barber 
 never picks up a towel for this use that 
 he does not handle it in this manner. 
 There is a nicety in handling linen that 
 commands business, and it should be 
 practiced until all movements become 
 easy and graceful. It can be practiced 
 with a handkerchief or any cloth of 
 convenient size. 
 
 \1 
 
 ;X% ^ 
 
Copyrighted by A. B. Moler. 1917 
 
 — W' 
 
 MOVEMENT NO. 8 
 
 Hold the right hand directly in front of you perpendicularly. Draw 
 the towel between the first and second fingers equal distance from either end. 
 With the left hand take the two ends of the towel, draw them back of the 
 thumb of the right hand leaving a smooth surface over the fingers for drying 
 the face. 
 
 The two ends may be held out of the way with the left hand or may be 
 allowed to drop over the wrist and fore-arm of the right hand to prevent 
 them from flopping in the customer's face. 
 
 As the towel under the ends of the fingers becomes moist by drying the face, drop the ends, taking the 
 position of the first movement and with the left hand draw the towel through the first and second finger of 
 the right hand a little nearer one or the other of the ends in order to bring the dry part of the towel again 
 under the fingers. 
 
 Draw the ends of the towel back of the thumb as before. 
 
 The knack is to change the position of the towel quickly without unnecessary movement. 
 
 The tendency is to handle the towel bunched in the hand. 
 
 Further instructions on this movement are given on page 64 and 65 of our Manual. 
 
.glited by A. B. Moler, 1917 
 
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 ALTERNATE HAND 
 
 This movement in actual work at the 
 chair is used in all scalp and hair prepa- 
 rations and is one that helps greatly to 
 put the hands in the proper condition 
 for barbering. There is no movement 
 that we have illustrated that gives more 
 excercise to the muscles and joints and 
 it is well to start the daily excercises with 
 a few minutes of this movement to 
 limber the hands and wrists.