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Koken Barber Chairs

By now, you should probably know who Ernest Koken is. He was the man who, in 1906, developed the first barber chair. He was born in Germany, although his family moved back to the US (to St. Louis, Missouri). He was forced to leave school after his father’s death.


He was pretty much an artist. While working selling items for barber shops, he developed a reclining barber chair, got the patent and started making money straight away from his invention, as it was a complete success.

Nowadays, there are many chairs you can find with the name “Koken” engraved on them.

But what most people don’t know is that he was designing a gasoline engine when he died, so who knows what might have happened if he had managed to finish it a little bit earlier?

That said, Koken Chairs are very much looked after, because of its design and first class quality. If you ever get your hands on one, you should check out its real value, you might be surprised how people are willing to pay thousands of dollars for one real Antique Koken Chair

197 Comments to “Koken Barber Chairs”

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  1. SteveJune 18, 2011 at 5:18 pm

    I am looking for a footrest for my Koken chair. I’m not sure of the year??? The footrest is grill style… I have pictures.

    There is a number on the bottom of the footrest 528N

    The serial number on the hydraulic ram is KBS351S

    Steve
    619.609.3823
    steve@sasconsultingllc.com

  2. AnandJune 20, 2011 at 10:11 am

    I have wooden koken barbers chair with name plate ID tag patented ok oct 30 1900 it has four legs.My father was a barber for the entire life coz we came from barbers cast from srilanka and settled in Malaysia since 1945 since my fathers passed away in 2002 i took over his trade as barber as i picked the trade from him during my teenage time.This koken chair was in my fathers barber shop since i was a boy
    so don t know where he got it from.
    well i personally restored this chair with the skill experience i had doing extra things. the work i put in was not a good quality work at all like the wood should be given wood calour intead second cusion covers are not lather it is pvc. only after restoring the chair i desided to check in the net about KOKEN and this web side came up. well just want to know how much can i get for this 1900 chair for.If i where to get a good prise i’m willing to part with it. I will forward the picture of the chair after u have reply to me. thanks

  3. AnandJune 24, 2011 at 4:05 pm

    anantham_9@yahoo.com

  4. dennisJune 30, 2011 at 5:29 pm

    I have a koken chair i purchased about 25 years ago. I’ve restored it for the 2nd time and was wondering how to determine it’s age. The biggest difference I can see between it and most Koken’s on the internet is the ends of the armrest. The ones i see are flat on top and look pretty much square. Mine looks to be made of a cast metal and are more round.
    Is there a way i can determine the age of this chair?

  5. KwameJuly 2, 2011 at 4:21 pm

    New York based Restoration artist,
    Custom Barber Chairs
    917-553-1619
    Parts for Koken, Kochs, Belmont, Paider.
    Upholstry
    Plateing
    Porcelian

  6. LaurieJuly 2, 2011 at 10:32 pm

    I have just purchased a Koken barber chair that was used in Sarnia On for over 60 years. How would I determine the age? The only numbers I can find on it are 523 NE.

  7. ericJuly 12, 2011 at 11:16 pm

    hi, was wondering i have 1930,s koken barber chair and have foot rest bracket that needs to be bent ! is the steel they were made of cast steel or cast iron? ANY ONE WHO ACTUALLY KNOWS? PLEASE !!

  8. Wes MayeurJuly 16, 2011 at 10:46 pm

    I have just purchased my first Koken barber chair and was wondering how I would go about finding the year it was made. Please email any info.

  9. Ricardo SandovalJuly 17, 2011 at 8:51 pm

    Hello, i guess im going trough the same process, i bought my Koken yesterday and the only number i could find is 525AN, do you guys know when this series were produced?
    The mechanism to lift is not moving, i bought already many cans of WD40 and still not working….ideas?

  10. Wes MayeurJuly 18, 2011 at 2:06 am

    Ricardo. I found dates on my chair. There is a month and year cast into the base on the bottom. Also a piece of canvas with the month and year as well as initials of what I would assume to be from the craftsman, assembler or the inspector. Good luck. By the way its a ’55

  11. Wes MayeurJuly 19, 2011 at 10:09 pm

    I recently purchased a ’55 Koken. Coming with the deal was a stool that attaches to a “24 cast iron ring that a barber chair would sit on. It seems to be for the barber to swivel around on as he shaves or cuts a patrons hair. After some unproductive research, I came across the name Emil J. Paidar on the net, which happens to be the name cast into the ring. The letters are hard to read but I am confident that the letters fit. Has anyone seen or heard of a stool like this. I plan on putting it on Ebay as I dont have the room for both. Please email me with any info. I will email pics to anyone who would like to see it, and would also entertain any offers to purchase it. pballer2112@yaho.com

  12. Wes MayeurJuly 31, 2011 at 2:34 am

    Anyone Looking for the ultimate and rarest accessory for there barber chair?!? Look up EmilJ. Paidar barber chair stool on Ebay!!

  13. GeorgeAugust 2, 2011 at 11:32 am

    Hi

    I have just found a KOKEN Barber chair in amongst some inherited items. Anyone looking for one?

  14. KwameAugust 3, 2011 at 7:40 pm

    YES GEORGE, I’M ALWAYS LOOKING FOR CHAIRS
    DO U HAVE PICS, WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED
    custombarberchairs@gmail.com

  15. AliAugust 5, 2011 at 2:22 am

    Hi, i am looking for koken barber chair headrests. If you are selling them or if you are giving them away contact me in my gmail–mcleanbarber@gmail.com

  16. DeAnnaAugust 11, 2011 at 8:31 am

    We are in need of a headrest for a 1931 Koken Barber chair, where can I find one?

  17. NoraAugust 11, 2011 at 4:45 pm

    I have a 1930′s Koken Barber chair for sell… everything works, the head rest works, the hydraulics work. it is in good condition.

  18. NoraAugust 11, 2011 at 4:47 pm

    if you have any questions on the 1930′s Koken barber chair
    please email me, nsellberg@yahoo.com

  19. KwameAugust 17, 2011 at 5:04 am

    Hey if your looking for finished Antique barber chairs or just searching for parts to take on your own project please give me a call. I have tons of chairs from the top 4 makers, Koken, Kochs, Paider & Belmont.

    We sell HEADREST, FOOTREST, ANKLEREST, ECT….

    Kwame
    917-553-1619
    custombarberchairs@gmail.com

  20. MissyAugust 17, 2011 at 4:29 pm

    Hi,

    Have a 1930′s koken takara barber chair for sale….not positive of year or name just trying to figure it out through similar online pictures. It has a porcelein base and green upholstery…

  21. Koken Barber Chair Facts | modern chairAugust 21, 2011 at 4:00 pm

    [...] hydraulic. This kind of chair especially the Koken Barber Chair may enable an individual to lower also [...]

  22. cathyAugust 27, 2011 at 8:15 pm

    i have a koken barber chair 1 498 on foot rest hydraulic operated porcelein base, black upholster and chrome w/head rest. got it from an old barber long ago love to know a little bit about it. thinking about selling. good shape..

  23. johnSeptember 5, 2011 at 5:55 pm

    hello im looking for a koken president barber chair

  24. johnSeptember 5, 2011 at 5:55 pm

    looking for a koken barber chair

  25. johnSeptember 5, 2011 at 6:32 pm

    im looking for a antique koken barber chair i will restore it myself

  26. Koken Barber Chair Facts | leather chairSeptember 5, 2011 at 10:16 pm

    [...] hydraulic. This kind of chair especially the Koken Barber Chair may enable an individual to lower also [...]

  27. KwameSeptember 7, 2011 at 4:44 pm

    Hey if your looking for Antique barber chairs or just searching for parts to take on your own project please give me a call. I have tons of chairs from the top 4 makers, Koken, Kochs, Paider & Belmont.
    We replate, upholster, tuneup, ect…..
    Kwame
    917-553-1619
    custombarberchairs@gmail.com

  28. LoriSeptember 8, 2011 at 6:31 pm

    Hi!
    We have an old porcelain child barber chair Formerly owned by a relative many years ago. One tag is marked, “The Chisolm Company, New York.” The hydraulic still works. I am hoping to get more information about this chair. All I have found so far is Koken-Chisolm, but nothing yet on The Chisolm Cmpany. Does anyone know anything about the company and the chair?

    Thanks!

  29. ★★★★☆ Where can I buy Barber Chairs : The Barber’s Chair – Annie Lee | Barber ChairsSeptember 11, 2011 at 7:46 am

    [...] Koken Barber Chair is on hand around the net. Check out the author’s site for more details. [...]

  30. Joyce HouseSeptember 12, 2011 at 12:44 am

    My father has been a barber for about 60 years. He has a few of the Koken chairs and is about ready to sell them – he is still an active barber. How do we determine the chairs’ value? I know they have porcelain arms and are in very good shape. They all are in perfect working condition.

  31. Joyce HouseSeptember 14, 2011 at 2:19 am

    I forgot to say that the hydrolics work and have headrests. He knows at least one was built at least 100 years ago. They are all probably about that old. I need some contacts!

  32. Rod DuffSeptember 15, 2011 at 12:01 am

    I have a Koken Barber (?) chair that does not have any provision for a head rest. Please give me info on it.
    Thank you

  33. Alina MontenegroSeptember 17, 2011 at 4:15 am

    I need a restorer for my KOKEN Chair in the Miami area.

    Thank you.

  34. Chuy TorresSeptember 27, 2011 at 3:09 am

    Hola tengo una koken que data de 1901 aproximadamente bueno realmente trae tras fechas, Pat 1891, y una que dice 22 de octubre de q895, y enseguida otra de 1901, realmente fue como una herencia de mi abuelo…. quisiera saber cual podría ser su valor en el mercado… todo es original. la piel, base, todo…. en buen estado si alguien sabe algo por favor díganme… gracias

  35. carloSeptember 27, 2011 at 2:34 pm

    Nora;what do you want do with the chair!let-me know.regard Carlo

  36. kevinOctober 6, 2011 at 2:09 am

    how do i find out about and what year my Koken was made?

    Please write to

    joiner.kevin@gmail.com

  37. AlexOctober 12, 2011 at 4:01 am

    Chuy, yo estoy enteresado en la silla. Piensas venderla?

  38. AlexOctober 12, 2011 at 4:03 am

    A que esta mi email: atorres062@yahoo.com

  39. JacOctober 13, 2011 at 4:25 pm

    I have a Koken model 225 (1910?) and I’m looking for the reciever unit for the headrest. Any source I can get is appreciated!

  40. MOctober 30, 2011 at 2:58 am

    I have a 1940-50 Koken barber chair. I could use a couple parts. I’d like to get the right rear bracket that connects the armrest to the frame. I’d also like the 2 right armrest screws that connect the arm rest to the front & rear brackets. I would also like the 6 screws that connect the back of the seat to the brackets.
    If someone has a parts chair in the Las Vegas, No. West AZ area let me know. I may buy the whole chair.
    There seems to be a lot of questions but no answers here. Is the site owner still active.

  41. MOctober 30, 2011 at 3:01 am

    I will try & check in here at least once a week. Please identify if you have what need thanks

  42. JoeNovember 4, 2011 at 8:09 pm

    I would love to know the age is of my Koken. Heard it was early 30′s. I posted on another site as well.

    Only number I found was on the Hydraulic shaft A206701.

    Can someone help me or lead me to a Koken expert?

    Thx,
    Joe

  43. RANDY TAFOYANovember 9, 2011 at 11:52 pm

    DOES ANYONE KNOW WHO BUYS OLD BARBER CHAIRS KOKEN MAKE MINT CONDITION IM IN COLORADO LET ME KNOW PLEASE THANKS randylorenzo35@hotmail.com !!

  44. DONALDNovember 10, 2011 at 3:26 am

    I have a 1969 electric koken barber chair that won’t go up< can anyone help me in the repair of this problem?

  45. AnnNovember 16, 2011 at 5:14 pm

    My parents in law want to sell a 1971 Koken Saint Louis Barber Chair. It is in like new condition. Anyone interested please email me symphomaniac73@yahoo.com and I ‘ll send you pictures of it. Thank you

  46. BryonNovember 19, 2011 at 7:48 pm

    1966 Koken Barrel Barber Chair, purchased NEW. MATCHING HEAD REST Hydrolics – working, Color: brown. (Small tear in orginal upholstry so I recovered – the orginal upholstry is still there) EXCELLANT CONDITTION.
    email me if your interested and I can send pictures. wrightbryon@gmail.com

  47. ericNovember 22, 2011 at 1:10 am

    i need a bracket for a koken terminal chair for the back of the chair and a pump handle that looks like a golf club. please email me thank you

  48. KitNovember 30, 2011 at 4:05 am

    I have a very old Koken barber chair that is fully functional. The hydraulics work even fine. Under the chair seat the casting has “005 A” Does anyone know if this is a date of manufacture by chance? I would like to know how old the chair is.

  49. FrankDecember 8, 2011 at 10:19 am

    If your in the San Francisco Bay area there is a Barber supply in San Jose that repairs ,upolsters welds and machines parts.Hermans Barber Supply 525 Auzerais Ave. San Jose Ca 408 292-5404 They have been around a long time and are very familiar with the old Koken Paidar Belmont Koch Chairs .They also sell used chairs,there where 2 matching Belmonts there last time I was in there shop1950s ones both with headrest. check them out if you in the area.

  50. FrankDecember 8, 2011 at 10:22 am

    Sorry Hermans phone number 408 292-5405 or Phill who is the owner and does the repairs cell 408 690-6989

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