Grooming

7 Types of Buzz-Cuts to Know Before You Shave Your Head

When you think of a buzz-cut, you’re probably thinking of the tennis-ball looking cut you used to get as a kid, and while that can look good, there are plenty of other variations to consider. A buzz-cut is defined by being short all over, and achieved entirely with clippers, which leaves plenty of room for creative interpretation. Here are seven of the most common buzz-cuts out there, and how to describe them to your barber.
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    The Induction Cut

    This is the shortest of all buzz-cuts (apart from taking a razor to your dome), achieved by removing the guard from the clippers entirely. It’s the haircut given to new recruits in the armed forces, hence the name.

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    The Burr Cut

    This is one step up from the induction cut, literally. Your barber will use a #1 or #2 guard all over to achieve this look. When he’s done, your head will feel a bit like sandpaper.

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    The Butch Cut

    For a buzz-cut that’s a little less intense, ask for a butch cut. Your barber will use a #3 or #4 guard or higher, giving you about ¼-inch of hair all around, or a little more. Some tapering on the sides and around the neckline is optional.

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    The Brush Cut

    If you want to go a little harder on the tapering, you might want a brush cut which is has ½-inch to ¼-inch of length on top (brushed straight up, hence the name) and gradually fades down from there.

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    The Crew Cut

    The crew cut and the brush cut are sometimes interchanged, but the main difference with the crew is that the very front is a bit longer, which creates an opportunity to style it down and to the side.

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    The High and Tight

    Take that same ¼-inch to ½-inch of length on the top but instead of gradually fading down from there, shave the back and sides completely. Now you’ve got a high and tight. Think of it like a shorter version of the fade haircut every man in America has right now.

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    The Ivy League

    If you like the idea of a crew cut but want a little bit more length, an ivy league or Princeton clip is probably your best bet. Your barber would use one of the highest guards available (usually a #7 or #8) for the top, fading down a bit from there. This cut leaves you with just enough hair to form a part.

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