In a corner of Philadelphia where time seems to flow at its own pace, Floyd Klein is breathing new life into century-old traditions. His barbershop, Floyd Klein Studios, represents more than just a place for a haircut—it’s a living bridge between eras, where vintage techniques meet contemporary style in perfect harmony.
“There’s something magical about barbering methods that have withstood the test of time,” Klein says as he stropped his straight razor, a tool that belonged to his great-grandfather. “These aren’t just old ways of doing things—they’re proven techniques that create results we still can’t improve upon, even with all our modern tools.”
A Legacy Written in Lather
The story of Floyd Klein Studios begins three generations before Klein ever picked up a pair of shears. His great-grandfather, a master barber trained under William Francis Truefitt (barber to British nobility), brought European techniques to Philadelphia, where he established a reputation for exceptional craftsmanship. Klein’s grandfather continued the tradition, running a neighborhood barbershop that became a community fixture.
“My grandfather’s shop was more than a business—it was a gathering place,” Klein recalls. “Men would come for a cut or shave, but they’d stay for the conversation, the sense of belonging. That’s something we’ve lost in our digital age, and it’s what I’m trying to recapture at Floyd Klein Studios.”
Despite his deep roots in barbering, Klein initially pursued a different path. With a degree in accounting from Brandeis University, he spent four years as a Sports Performance Analyst for the Philadelphia Phillies. But even as he crunched numbers professionally, barbering remained his private passion.
“I’d spend my days analyzing baseball statistics, then come home and cut hair in the evenings,” Klein says. “It was a strange double life, but those night sessions with the clippers felt more authentic than anything I did in the office.”
When his grandfather passed away, leaving Klein the shop and a choice, he decided to honor the family legacy by returning to barbering full-time. But first, he needed to sharpen his skills.
Old-World Training for New-World Application
Klein’s journey back to his roots took him across the Atlantic to London, where he completed an intensive apprenticeship at the London School of Barbering. There, he mastered traditional techniques that were becoming rare in American barbershops, including the straight-razor shave that would become his signature service at Floyd Klein Studios.
“In London, I realized that what we consider ‘old-school’ in America is still everyday practice in parts of Europe,” Klein explains. “These barbers weren’t preserving traditions for nostalgia’s sake—they were using them because they work better than anything else for certain services.”
Upon returning to Philadelphia, Klein renovated his grandfather’s shop, creating a space that honored its history while updating its functionality. The result was Floyd Klein Studios—a barbershop where vintage barber chairs and hot towel warmers share space with modern lighting and a curated playlist of contemporary music.
The Ritual of the Straight-Razor Shave
At the heart of Klein’s classic barbering revival is the straight-razor shave—a service that’s as much ritual as it is grooming. At Floyd Klein Studios, this isn’t a rushed affair but a 45-minute ceremony that transports clients to a slower, more deliberate era.
“A proper straight-razor shave has about 14 distinct steps,” Klein explains as he wraps a client’s face in a hot towel infused with essential oils. “Each step serves a purpose, from softening the beard with hot towels to applying pre-shave oils that protect the skin.”
The straight razor itself—a tool that many modern barbers have never learned to use properly—becomes an extension of Klein’s hand as he glides it across the client’s face with practiced precision. The result isn’t just a close shave but a transformative experience.
“Clients tell me it’s the closest shave they’ve ever had, but that’s not the only benefit,” Klein says. “There’s something deeply relaxing about surrendering to this process—letting someone else take care of you in this very traditional way. In our hyper-connected world, these moments of stillness have become precious.”
Classic Cuts with Contemporary Appeal
Klein’s revival of traditional barbering extends beyond shaves to haircuts that have stood the test of time. At Floyd Klein Studios, styles that were popular decades ago—from side-parted pompadours to classic tapers—are finding new audiences among young professionals and style-conscious men.
“What’s interesting about these classic cuts is how modern they feel when done right,” Klein observes. “A clean taper with a side part worked in the 1950s, and it works now because it’s timeless—it’s based on complementing a man’s features rather than following trends.”
The popularity of vintage styles has coincided with a broader cultural interest in craftsmanship and heritage brands. Just as today’s consumers seek out small-batch whiskey and hand-stitched leather goods, they’re also looking for barbers who practice time-honored techniques.
“At Floyd Klein Studios, we’re part of a larger movement back toward quality and authenticity,” Klein says. “People are tired of disposable everything. They want experiences and services that feel genuine, that connect them to something lasting.”
Training the Next Generation
As Klein sees it, preserving classic barbering isn’t just about maintaining his own skills—it’s about ensuring these techniques survive for future generations. That’s why he occasionally teaches at barbering schools and hosts workshops at Floyd Klein Studios.
“These methods aren’t written down in many modern textbooks,” Klein explains. “They’re passed from barber to barber, hand to hand. If we don’t actively teach the next generation, we risk losing this knowledge forever.”
His teaching style blends historical context with practical application. Students learn not just how to perform a straight-razor shave but why each step matters—the science behind the art. This approach has made Klein a respected educator in an industry where true masters of traditional techniques are becoming scarce.
“Floyd taught me more in a three-hour workshop than I learned in three months of barber school,” says one young barber who attended Klein’s straight-razor masterclass. “He doesn’t just show you the moves; he helps you understand the thinking behind them.”
Modern Touches at Floyd Klein Studios
While traditional techniques form the foundation of Floyd Klein Studios, Klein isn’t opposed to integrating modern elements where they enhance the client experience. His booking system is digital, allowing clients to schedule appointments from their phones. Product recommendations are personalized and span both heritage brands and innovative newcomers with proven formulations.
“I’m not interested in tradition for tradition’s sake,” Klein clarifies. “At Floyd Klein Studios, we use old-school techniques because they deliver superior results, not because we’re stuck in the past. Where new approaches or products offer genuine benefits, we embrace them.”
This balanced perspective has drawn a diverse clientele to Floyd Klein Studios. On any given day, Klein might serve a 70-year-old client who’s been getting the same haircut for decades, followed by a 25-year-old tech worker requesting a modern interpretation of a classic style.
“What connects my clients isn’t age or occupation—it’s an appreciation for quality,” Klein reflects. “They understand that some things can’t be rushed or automated if you want the best results.”
Floyd Klein also hosts a podcast called, ‘The Cutting Edge.’ What began as a simple way to update clients and professionals on what’s new in the industry has evolved into a respected industry podcast offering insights on grooming trends, styling advice, and barbering techniques. The podcast serves as another bridge between traditional barbering wisdom and contemporary applications, allowing Klein to share his unique perspective with a global audience.
A Cut Above the Rest
In a world of quick-service chains and 15-minute haircuts, Floyd Klein Studios stands as a reminder that some experiences are worth taking time for. By honoring the past while remaining rooted in the present, Klein has created more than a successful business—he’s preserving an essential piece of cultural heritage.
“Every time I wrap a hot towel or strop my razor, I’m continuing practices that connect us to generations of barbers before me,” Klein says. “At Floyd Klein Studios, we’re not just cutting hair—we’re keeping traditions alive, one client at a time.”
For Klein, this isn’t merely nostalgia—it’s a commitment to excellence that transcends eras. In his skilled hands, classic barbering isn’t a relic but a vibrant, evolving craft with profound relevance for today’s men. And as long as there are clients who appreciate the difference between a quick cut and a true barbering experience, Floyd Klein Studios will continue bridging past and present with every precise stroke of the razor.