The Rise, Fall, and Legacy of America’s Most Iconic Barber Chair
If you've ever stepped into a traditional barbershop and admired the heavy, ornate craftsmanship of an old-school barber chair, chances are you’ve seen a Koken. Even today, Koken barber chairs are considered the gold standard of classic barbershop equipment—so well-made that some are still in daily use more than a century after they were built.
But what happened to Koken? Why did such a legendary name in the industry disappear—and where can you still find a Koken chair today?
As a company that has been part of the salon and barbering industry for over 80 years, we at Buy-Rite Beauty have a deep appreciation for the legacy of Koken. Here’s the full story behind the brand, the man who founded it, and why Koken chairs remain so beloved.
From Shaving Mugs to Innovation: The Story of Ernest Koken
The Koken legacy began in St. Louis, Missouri, in the late 1800s with a young German-American named Ernest Koken. Initially, Koken made and sold porcelain shaving mugs—a staple in barbershops of the time. But his creative mind was drawn toward innovation.
In 1892, Ernest Koken invented what would revolutionize the industry forever: the first hydraulic barber chair. His design allowed barbers to raise, lower, and recline the chair using a foot pedal—a groundbreaking improvement over static chairs that had to be manually adjusted.
Koken's patented hydraulic mechanism inspired virtually every barber chair design that followed. In many ways, every modern barber chair in use today traces its roots back to Ernest Koken’s invention.
Koken Becomes a Household Name
Following the success of the hydraulic chair, the Koken Barber Supply Company quickly became a leading manufacturer of barber equipment throughout the early 20th century. Their chairs were known not only for their functionality but for their intricate cast iron bases, hand-tooled leather, and elegant porcelain finishes.
Koken chairs weren’t just tools—they were works of art, often featuring scrollwork, reclining headrests, and patented “side-lever” mechanisms. These chairs symbolized the dignity and craftsmanship of the professional barber.
At the height of its influence, Koken Barber Supply was exporting chairs around the world and was considered the premier barber furniture brand in the United States.
Decline and Bankruptcy
Like many great American manufacturing companies, Koken eventually faced challenges adapting to changes in production methods and market demand. By the 1950s and 1960s, as more cost-efficient manufacturing spread across the globe, Koken struggled to maintain its position.
Despite attempts to modernize, Koken declared bankruptcy in the 1970s. The company’s assets and intellectual property—including the legendary Koken brand name and chair designs—were eventually purchased by Takara Belmont, a global leader in salon and barber equipment headquartered in Japan.
Koken Lives On Through Takara Belmont
Today, Takara Belmont honors the Koken legacy by continuing to manufacture classic-style barber chairs using some of the original Koken designs. Though they are built with modern materials and updated technology, many Takara Belmont models retain the timeless silhouette, hydraulic base, and aesthetic pioneered by Ernest Koken over 100 years ago.
These chairs are sold under the Takara Belmont brand, but industry veterans and collectors still recognize the unmistakable Koken DNA in their design.
Shop Takara Belmont Barber Chairs
The Antique Chair That Still Stands
Despite the company’s closure decades ago, thousands of antique Koken barber chairs are still in use—a testament to their remarkable craftsmanship. Shops across the country proudly feature restored Koken chairs not only as functional seats but as conversation pieces and centerpieces of their shop design.
Many barbers and collectors restore Koken chairs as a labor of love, sourcing vintage parts, reupholstering with leather, and refinishing porcelain to bring these relics back to life. Restored Koken chairs often sell for thousands of dollars and are considered collector’s items.
The demand for original Koken chairs continues to grow, especially among barbershop owners who want to combine heritage with authenticity.
Koken's Legacy: Still Raising the Standard
Though the Koken company is no longer in operation, its legacy lives on. Every time a barber presses a foot pedal to raise a chair, adjusts a headrest, or reclines a client with ease—they’re experiencing a piece of Koken’s innovation.
Ernest Koken’s vision forever changed barbering. And even today, Koken-style chairs remain the most iconic and enduring symbols of the profession.
Want a Classic Koken Look for Your Shop?
At Buy-Rite Beauty, we carry a range of barber chairs—including models from Takara Belmont—that reflect the timeless quality and design that Koken pioneered.
Shop Barber Chairs Inspired by Koken
Need help finding the right chair for your barbershop? Contact our team and we’ll help you match style, quality, and history with your brand.
