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The Legacy of Koken Barber Chairs

by Antique Collector

When it comes to antique barber chairs, the Koken barber chair has been a symbol of innovation. It was the first one to have a successfully integrated hydraulic lift. This technology made it convenient for the barber to lift the chair up or bring it down when he needed to. It was a groundbreaking idea during the early 1900’s.

A Koken barber chair is considered revolutionary during its time. It was the first one that would hydraulically lift up and down. Before 1891, barbers would have had taken a chair and spin it to raise it or spin it the other way around to lower it. Earnest Koken ended up designing his chair so that when the lever is pumped up and down, it would raise the chair up. On the other hand, the chair would gradually lower itself when the lever is pushed on its side.

Koken plate from Koken Barber's Supply Co.

Ernest Koken invented the hydraulic-powered barber chair, thus it was aptly named after him. Mr. Koken was born in Germany but moved to the United States in his early years. As a young boy, he already had a knack for blueprints. It wasn’t surprising that he was able to develop a reclining barber chair while working for a barber chair manufacturing company. He eventually moved on to form his own business called, Koken Barbers Supply. It was a success for some time. Unfortunately, his company went out of business in the 1950’s. About a decade later, Koken was acquired by the Takara Belmont Company, a competitor and the manufacturer of Belmont barber chairs.

Antique Koken Barber Chair

Nowadays, Koken barber chairs are the most sought after vintage barber chairs. Their design and craftsmanship are genuinely one of a kind. A modern equivalent of the chair, the Legacy Koken Barber Chair, is being sold by the Takara Belmont Company to this day. On another note, there was a Koken featured in History Channel’s American Restoration. It was a 1930’s model shown in the episode titled, Close Shave which premiered on September 23, 2011. Fully restored, it sold for US $6,500. Rick Dale, owner of Rick’s Restorations, bought it from a local picker for US $400. Not bad for a beat-up Koken barber chair.

Of all the chairs ever invented, the barber’s chair is probably the most complex yet the most interesting in the bunch. A barber chair can conveniently rise up or lower down with the use of a foot-operated jack or a lever on the side. It can also stretch out so that the patron can comfortably lie down for a massage or have her hair washed. The barber doesn’t even need to go to either side when cutting hair. The chair can simply be rotated to the direction where the barber wants it to be. A barber’s chair is sturdy too. It can withstand men and women of various measurements. This makes sense, considering that most modern chairs are normally made from metal, porcelain and leather.


94 Comments
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94 Responses

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  1. Jeff Rhuland says
    January 18, 2016 at 6:12 pm

    I am making a correction on my comment I miss spelled Koken.

    Reply
  2. K brockbank says
    February 7, 2016 at 12:50 am

    Have a Koken antique barber chair in great shape. Lays back, turns and goes up and down. It is in black leather and oak. Has headrest and footrest. Have no idea how much it’s worth. An antique dealer said 10,000 to 40000.

    Reply
    • Sergio Bruni says
      April 5, 2017 at 6:24 pm

      You’re out of your f@$& mind when you said 10000 to 40000

      Reply
  3. Dee Benish says
    February 21, 2016 at 2:29 pm

    We have a Koken Chair from the Grand Central Terminal Barber Shop in NYC. My husband purchased the entire contents of the shop and this is the only chair I have left. It’s in original condition, with a tear in the seat and the head rest needs to be re upholstered. Some of the chrome on the foot rest has worn off;the hydraulics work well. Are we better off selling “as is” or should I restore it? We also have a Toledo scale from the GCT Barber shop and would like to sell that as well. I’d like to get these items appraised so I can judge their value. Any information you can provide would be helpful. Thanks

    Reply
    • Sergio Bruni says
      April 5, 2017 at 6:26 pm

      It’s probably worth 20dollars

      Reply
    • eltzer says
      March 3, 2018 at 9:43 pm

      were can i find the series number of my koken barber chair? I tried under the seat but i can’t seem to fins any .

      Reply
      • Andrew Heffron says
        January 30, 2019 at 7:16 am

        Mine was on top of the hydraulic reservoir cylinder cover where you fill the chair with fluid. It will likely require some disassembly of the chair to find and access the reservoir cover. It should be a letter followed by six numbers, so A123456. It is NOT the number found on the bottom side of the foot rest!

  4. K Drummond says
    February 29, 2016 at 8:18 pm

    I have a Koken barber chair. Excellent condition. My dad was a barber. He bought it used in 1968. I’m thinking of selling it. Have no idea what to ask. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

    Reply
    • Sergio Bruni says
      April 5, 2017 at 7:32 pm

      Ask for $ 20

      Reply
      • Derek says
        June 5, 2017 at 6:51 am

        You are an idiot, Sergio. Go find a rope, a rickety stool, and a large oak tree.

  5. Duane Z says
    March 10, 2016 at 3:15 pm

    I have a all wood koken chair that was my grandfathers. It has number stamped into the bottom of the seat. Can anyone point me in a direction to get some info on the chair?

    Reply
    • Sergio Bruni says
      April 5, 2017 at 7:35 pm

      Yes it’s an old chair sell it out for $ 20

      Reply
      • Jean says
        May 16, 2017 at 9:43 am

        You have no idea what you’re talking about. These chairs are worth money.

      • Derek says
        June 5, 2017 at 6:52 am

        Still can’t find the right rope, Sergio?

    • Paula says
      September 4, 2019 at 11:45 pm

      If it’s in great shape you can get anywhere from $2, 000-8,000 depending on the condition I have one also!

      Reply
  6. Denise DeWitt says
    March 18, 2016 at 3:51 pm

    I have an old koken chair that I would like to sell ,it does need some resorting but I really don’t have the time or the money now.

    Reply
    • Sergio Bruni says
      April 5, 2017 at 7:36 pm

      Sell it for $ 5

      Reply
    • Dennis Major says
      June 7, 2017 at 12:40 pm

      do you still have the chair?

      Reply
      • Renee Hawkins says
        April 19, 2018 at 3:32 am

        Dennis, are you looking to buy a Koken? If so, please contact me. I’m in Virginia. [email protected]
        Thank you

  7. Denise DeWitt says
    March 18, 2016 at 3:53 pm

    I have an old koken chair that I would like to sell ,it does need some resorting but I really don’t have the time or the money now.it has the the pocelein base and arm rest and the hydraulic pump handle .if interested please contact me thru my email.

    Reply
    • Sergio Bruni says
      April 5, 2017 at 7:36 pm

      No one is interested

      Reply
  8. Roger says
    April 4, 2016 at 3:37 am

    How can I determine the vintage of an oak koken barber chair?

    Reply
    • Eric says
      November 29, 2016 at 1:20 pm

      If I saw it I could tell exact date

      Reply
      • Paul Murray says
        February 16, 2017 at 2:39 am

        Hello, I have a Koken barber chair I am restoring, S/N 143805, I am looking for any information available especially date of mfg. thank you, Paul

    • Sergio Bruni says
      April 5, 2017 at 7:38 pm

      The best way to tell is to smell her that can also give you the exact age

      Reply
  9. Monte rainey says
    May 23, 2016 at 7:49 pm

    I have a koken barber chair i would like to get rid of its in good shape needs cleaned a little but other than that its in good condition

    Reply
    • Paul DeCotiis says
      June 8, 2016 at 5:41 pm

      Could you please any photographs of the Koken chair if it is still available?
      Thank you.

      Reply
      • Renee Hawkins says
        April 19, 2018 at 3:30 am

        Paul are you still interested in a Koken? I am in Virginia. If so please contact me at [email protected]

  10. Wendy Singleton says
    July 12, 2016 at 9:07 pm

    I have a Wooden Koken barber chair for sale, it is missing the headrest but I do have extra parts that I believe go with the missing headrest. I had it upholstered and nickelplated 40 years ago, upholstery is still in OK condition. It is all oak and has 4 legs, not sure of the age on this but if interested I can supply pictures. Located in WI email [email protected] It is a Koken Congress-One lever pat October 30 1900

    Reply
  11. Jeff says
    October 30, 2016 at 12:16 pm

    I have a koken and the ser#528N , could you tell me what decade this is from

    Reply
    • Jeffery Marcum says
      February 25, 2017 at 4:23 pm

      Hey Jeff,
      I have a Koken with a lot of the part numbers also being numbers that start with a 5 and end with an N. Any luck with your chair? I’m currently trying to work on the hydraulic pump of mine. Let me know. More than willing to share any and all info I can collect. [email protected]

      Reply
  12. Jeff Reames says
    January 7, 2017 at 6:26 pm

    How can you tell the age of a Koken barber pole ?

    Reply
  13. Alin says
    February 16, 2017 at 11:51 am

    Any chance you still have those chair models available ?
    if so i`m interested in the price.
    mail me at [email protected]
    thnx

    Reply
  14. Jeffery Marcum says
    February 25, 2017 at 4:19 pm

    I have a Koken barber chair many of the parts start with 5 have three digits total and end with letter N. can anyone give me a production year? I’m also looking for a schematic for the hydraulics. The pump fill cover has a serial number or part number of A228397. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks

    Reply
    • Sergio Bruni says
      April 5, 2017 at 8:01 pm

      Yes that’s from 1913 and have a value of around $50.000

      Reply
      • Derek says
        June 5, 2017 at 6:58 am

        Shut up, you moron. The Internet is for adults. Go get a juice box, ask your mommy to put a Barney movie in the VCR, and let the grown ups talk.

      • Mustapha says
        November 11, 2017 at 10:22 pm

        Hello my friend thank you for your valuable information I have an antique chair with a history where it was used by a French dentist during the French colonization of Morocco I want you my friend to help me sell it The number on the pump is A202889 koken [email protected]

  15. Dale Hoffman says
    April 1, 2017 at 10:28 pm

    Have a two toned Koke President. Needs some reupholstering. In Burlington,Vermont Area.
    Have some pics. Footrest and headrest are present as are ashtrays. Pump handle is a golf type is present. Some duct tape along upper section of seat back. Looks rather clean otherwise. Call for more details. Thanks, Dale

    Reply
  16. Nick says
    June 13, 2017 at 7:23 pm

    I have a 1960’s Koken Chromecraft mid century modern barbers chair, its molded plastic, based out of St. Louis. I cannot seem to find any information on the model whatsoever, and was wondering if anyone has any knowledge?

    Anything helps!

    Reply
  17. Debra Johnson says
    June 19, 2017 at 12:31 am

    Hi, I have a Koken child’s porcelain barber chair in great unrestored condition but I’m needing the footrest. Does anyone have one to sell or can you point me in the direction of some place I might find one. I can supply pictures if you’d like.

    Reply
  18. ALINE CHAHWAN says
    July 3, 2017 at 12:43 pm

    dear all, kindly advise who to contact , to purchase the Koken Barber chair 1920-
    your suport in providing us with contact details for a supplier who can provide us qwith the items,

    Reply
  19. CESAR says
    August 13, 2017 at 6:40 am

    Adquirir una silla koken con una numeracion 153097 me podrían decir que año es?. Y al igual quiero saber como ? Usar la palanca para recostar la silla y como dejarla fija gracias

    Reply
    • diego medina says
      November 20, 2017 at 6:03 am

      tienes fotos de ella? yo acabo de restaurar una 1920 y batalle mucho para aprender sobre el funcionamiento de la palanca

      Reply
  20. Ben says
    September 5, 2017 at 7:12 pm

    I have an Old Koken Round Seat and Round Back Barber Chair. I am wondering about when was it made and where to find the Serial # Please.

    Reply
    • Mustapha says
      November 11, 2017 at 12:23 am

      لدي كرسي عتيق koken 1930 أريد البيع إذا فيه شخص مهتم [email protected]

      Reply
  21. Chris says
    October 13, 2017 at 7:44 pm

    I have a 1920’s(?) Koken fully working in an operating barbershop on Vancouver Island, Canada. Round base and seat. Seat cover was restored, but still has the horse hair. Red leather, white porcelain, and chrome. Head rest is long gone. Looking to sell.

    Reply
    • Andrew Heffron says
      January 30, 2019 at 7:31 am

      Is it still for sale? I’m in Seattle, looking for Koken chairs to restore.

      Reply
      • Kirsten Richardson says
        May 11, 2019 at 4:27 am

        Andrew, we have a Koken vintage barber chair and are looking to sell it. We are in the Seattle area. Are you interested in this chair? Are you able to help us determine the value? Thank you.

  22. Mustapha says
    November 11, 2017 at 10:26 pm

    Hello my friend thank you for your valuable information I have an antique chair with a history where it was used by a French dentist during the French colonization of Morocco I want you my friend to help me sell it The number on the pump is A202889 koken [email protected]

    Reply
  23. diego medina says
    November 20, 2017 at 5:59 am

    i just restored a 1920s koken barber chair i bought it in mexico for 500 dlls and put another 500 on it to restore it looks amazing and everything works on my chair i dont think i will ever sale it i love it , it did come with the head rest most of chairs dont have it anymore

    Reply
  24. Brian kelley says
    October 2, 2018 at 12:12 am

    Hi I was wondering if you restore them as well?

    Reply
    • Andrew Heffron says
      January 30, 2019 at 7:33 am

      I’m currently looking for chairs to restore, wood, porcelain, metal, any condition.

      Reply
  25. rick cox says
    March 18, 2019 at 7:00 pm

    i have an 1880 koken wooden chair ….i need a foot rest. email me [email protected]

    Reply

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