Ed’s Barber Shop

This is hands down the best barbershop in Schenectady. All the barbers are experienced, I have never had a bad cut or any issue, I have been going there for about 11 years now.

The only place I come to in the capital district. Ralph and the rest of the staff are true professionals and take great pride in their work. I’ve gotten numerous haircuts over the years and not one was less than superb. This is an authentic barber shop where real men who are anywhere between professional executives to trendsetting hipsters can get a cut.

Paul is one of the best. I can’t believe I dont go more. His cuts and shaves are second to none. And he knows more about the Yankees than anyone I know.

I’m a little on the fence here but after three haircuts on three different heads, Ed’s doesn’t pass the «would I go back there again?» test. So down to two stars it goes. A number of the better barbers from a few years ago broke away to set up their own shop elsewhere in town, and the parade of haircutters left over is very hit or miss as far as quality.
This is a serious old-​school shop; Ed himself has long since departed the mortal coil, and the location has shifted, but I think this has been in business in one form or another for decades. As such, standard guy-​cuts only. The seating area is limited in the waiting area, a real downtick, and parking in the back is less than convenient in the winter months.
I have two problem kids for haircuts; one is special needs and literally cannot stay still due to a neurological issue, the other has an odd-​shaped head. I don’t micromanage their haircuts since I realize they’re already problems, but in return (and for the healthy tip I always leave) I expect they’ll comply with my general requests and then work with the kid to get a good-​looking haircut.
Well, without getting into gory details, I got badly-​feathered bangs on both kids when I asked for something completely different, and the one who requires patience actually got barked at by the barber despite my explaining the situation.
For my own two attempts at getting shorn here, I ended up with an uneven patch in the back on the first visit and a strange kind of monks’ cut the other occasion.
The last visit was the last straw — I couldn’t decide whether the cuts looked more like they had been done by Ed Wood or Mr. Ed.
I have heard from some people who like the cuts here, and it has certainly always been busy, so obviously my experience may be the exception. But with quality control and consistency problems, and the risk of being downgraded from the nerd patrol to the dweeb squad me and my crew always run when we get a bad haircut — just can’t risk Ed’s.

Old School all the way!!! Just what I was looking for on my latest visit to Niskayuna from Dallas. Thanks Ed and Ralph.

He must have been drunk to give my husband such a horrible haircut.
My husband asked for a trim, not to go shorter than ¼″. He took a buzzer to the bottom half, then had no transition to the top half, with a fro on the sides of his head. Then he went to trim the bangs — they were crooked and choppy, with one side much longer than the other. And a chunk missing out of the top of his head. The guy kept yawning and stretching — it was 10:30am!
Don’t waste your money. Can’t believe this guy has a license.

I am a regular here. Love the environment. Service is always good, and I always see Paul — have yet to have a bad haircut, and i have been coming here for 6 years. Very affordable. The wait can be a bit long, but thats because they offer a quality service!

My regular barber was out of town and I needed to get ready for vacation so I decided to stop in. Nice clean shop — friendly — good banter — Four Barbers on duty and all four chairs were full with people waiting at the front and back. Will I go back — sure will if my guy is unavailable.