ABA Barbering Techniques & Tools 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which clipper guard size leaves approximately 1/8 inch of hair?
- #0
- #1 (Correct answer)
- #2
- #4
Correct answer: #1
A #1 guard leaves approximately 1/8 inch (3mm) of hair and is one of the shortest standard guard lengths.
Question 2: What is the purpose of 'rocking' or 'pivoting' the clippers during a fade?
- To increase cutting speed
- To blend hair at transition zones (Correct answer)
- To cool the clipper blades
- To remove hair from the blade teeth
Correct answer: To blend hair at transition zones
Rocking or pivoting the clippers at the hairline blends different lengths smoothly, creating seamless fade transitions.
Question 3: Which type of scissors is best suited for removing bulk from thick hair without reducing overall length dramatically?
- Straight shears
- Thinning shears (Correct answer)
- Offset shears
- Left-handed shears
Correct answer: Thinning shears
Thinning shears have teeth on one or both blades that remove bulk without dramatically reducing overall length.
Question 4: At what angle should a straight razor be held relative to the skin when performing a face shave?
- 10 degrees
- 30–45 degrees (Correct answer)
- 60–70 degrees
- 90 degrees
Correct answer: 30–45 degrees
A 30–45 degree angle provides optimal cutting efficiency while minimizing skin irritation and the risk of nicks.
Question 5: During scissor-over-comb technique, the comb should move in which direction relative to the scissors?
- The comb precedes the scissors upward (Correct answer)
- The scissors precede the comb downward
- Both tools move simultaneously sideways
- The comb stays stationary while scissors move
Correct answer: The comb precedes the scissors upward
The comb lifts the hair and moves ahead of the scissors, guiding the cut and controlling the length to be removed.
Question 6: What is a 'disconnected' haircut in barbering terminology?
- A cut where the sides and top are blended seamlessly
- A cut where two sections have no blending or transition between them (Correct answer)
- A cut performed without the use of a guard
- A technique using only a razor with no scissors
Correct answer: A cut where two sections have no blending or transition between them
A disconnected cut creates a deliberate, abrupt contrast between two sections with no blending at their junction.
Question 7: Which clipper blade setting produces the closest cut with the least amount of hair left?
- Blades set to the widest position
- Blades set to the 0 or skin position (Correct answer)
- Blades set to highest tension
- Blades set with a #4 guard attached
Correct answer: Blades set to the 0 or skin position
Setting blades to the 0 or 'skin' position brings the cutting teeth closest together, producing the shortest possible cut.
ABA Barbering Techniques & Tools 2
Which clipper guard size leaves approximately 1/8 inch of hair?