Sacha Walters, Staff Reporter

Barber Harnel Hall uses an electric shear to accomplish a short cut on former Member of Parliament, Easton Douglas. Photo by Sacha Walters

The movie character Edward Scissorhands is most comfortable creating dynamic shapes with his hands, which happen to be scissors. Like that character, barber Harnel Hall would feel useless without his scissors, which are like extensions of his hands.

While he can wield an electric shear just as well, he swears by his stainless steel clippers.

"The scissors finish the haircut better than the machine (the electric shear)," said Mr. Hall. The 46-year-old has approximately 15 years of haircuts under his belt and has honed his skill and developed a niche market.

A past student of Rusea's High School, Hall is originally from Claremont in Hanover. In the 1980s, he left home and a job developing film in a printry to come to Kingston.

Keeping occupied

"I was waiting to get a job in a printry in Kingston," he said and in an effort to keep occupied, he worked at one of the best barber salons in Jamaica, Jones Barber Shop, as an apprentice.

No stranger to cutting hair, as he dabbled in it while in Hanover, he quickly picked up the skill. He moved on to Leon's where he began his formal training and completed a 12-month course in less than the time allotted. Not only did he learn how to cut hair, he became a certified cosmetologist.

The rest of his career was spent between the Jamaica Pegasus and the Hilton hotels cutting guests' hair. That's where he honed his skill of cutting Caucasian hair.

"You don't really find barbers who specialise in Caucasian hair," he said, which has left him with a clientele of Jamaican professionals and international dignitaries who keep coming back.

Long-standing clients

HALL

Hesitant to reveal the names of his clients because of their privacy, he was willing to tell us he has cut the hair of diplomats who often recommend him to those newly appointed. Long-standing clients include actor Teddy Price, DCP Mark Shields, Scotiabank's Bill Clarke and former MP Easton Douglas, who was present when Flair visited.

The Governor-General, Professor Kenneth Hall, who is also his cousin, drops in to get a trim when he finds the time.

The women are not left out as, he said, those who wear their hair low and natural visit for his professional cuts.

About a year ago, with the support of his family and wife of 14 years Dahlia, Mr. Hall fulfilled one of his life's dreams and opened his own shop. The Grooming Hall, located in the Life of Jamaica Shopping Centre in New Kingston.

Based on his major clientele, he was aware that a location in the heart of the business community was essential.

"I was passing here one day and I saw this place closed up and I called around and realised it was available," he said. He took a fully drafted business plan to his bank and was approved for a loan to start his business.

The cosy shop made of mainly frosted glass, offers privacy with a certain amount of elegance in the midst of the busy mall.

He employs two other barbers Pedro Naval and Norvall Willace, as well as nail technician and masseuse, Myrna Bryan.

Appointment service

This allows him to offer an appointment service as the other barbers handle walk-ins.

"I have no problem. So this thing about Jamaicans not respecting time is not true," he said.

The team operates within convenient hours for the busy professionals. Seven-thirty in the morning to 7:00p.m., Mondays to Thursdays and up to 4:00 p.m. on Fridays.

The father of two; Sanjah, 12, and Taylor-Jade, four, said he once wanted to be a primary school teacher because he loves children, but barbering became his profession. However, he has taught barbering courses at Leon's and HEART/NTA and hopes to do more teaching in the future.