FINDING THE FIRE!

By Rex A.C. Silver

BEN KANE, like many creatives, was a little lost in his early years. The world looked a little different to him, he didn’t feel like he belonged… we all know the words to this song. He did have support and encouragement from family, enough to allow him to explore his interests and move in the right direction that led him to us, the hair people.

Ben learnt from a very early age the power, and the positive self-belief one gets through liking what you see in the mirror, and it stuck with him. He didn’t know it at the time, but that attention to detail and that small dive into the phycology of what we do as hairdressers and barbers as a young boy will go on to help shape the mind of the Ben Kane we know today.

A well-rounded man, confident in himself and his skill set. A smart operator that pays eagle-eye attention to the salon experience his guests receive. A generous captain who gives back to his crew and, to the greater hair community. A man who knows humility and cares for those less fortunate.

A man who found exactly where he belongs… with the rest of us hairy weirdos!!

THIS IS BEN KANE:

I grew up in a small country town called Maryborough in Victoria. Young Ben really struggled through school years, as I felt like I never really found my tribe, always looking for a group to fit in with. As someone that was bullied quite a lot about my appearance and weight, this made me very self-conscious about how I looked.

Also having my mum and dad both as teachers at my school didn’t really help my cause. Trying almost every sport there is, I soon found out that I wasn’t much of an athlete either…. then I found fire... as a child, I was obsessed with lighting fires to the point that I was taken to the local fire station for one-on-one fire safety training.

I then fell in love with skateboarding spending all my spare time at the local skate park, a little safer for everyone!

Despite all this, I’m extremely grateful to have such amazing parents that have supported me through all my ups and downs as best they could and without them, I’d be a very lost soul.

How and when did you discover hair, and know that this was your calling?

I discovered hair at an early age I’d say young 12/13, I don’t know why, but I used doing my hair, as a way of feeling better about how I looked. I’d sit in the chair and point at the picture of Brad Pitt on the wall and wonder why I never walked out looking the same. Mum will often say I was the only one that got to go to the “good” hairdresser in town and I’d get my blonde tips done.

I never really thought about hairdressing or barbering until around 14/15 my dad who worked in careers counselling suggested a short course coming to the school, so I thought the perfect way to get out of class. I was also heavily involved in art drawing/painting from a young age to then graffiti or anything that involved some sort of creative outlook. I always felt like I saw things a little differently to most.

I enjoyed the course I did at school and got offered an apprenticeship at the Stag Ballarat. This is where I fell in love with hair.

I am still grateful to this day to have been taught by the owner at the time Alan Roberts, a traditional barber.

Alan not only taught me the ins and outs of traditional barbering but also the importance of communication and building client relations.

Alongside this, David Kammerer, the now owner was also a key mentor at the beginning of my barbering career.

The Stag was an hour away from the town I lived in, so I found myself moving out into my own place at 15 meaning I had to grow up fast. This came with all sorts of interesting life lessons.

From here at age 20 I moved to the western suburbs of Melbourne where I learn the ins and outs of all things hairdressing from owner Pino Burrone, Salon Vogue. This is where I really fell in love with cutting hair and the industry itself.

My next journey was to help build/start/grow Rokkman Barbers, an offshoot of Rokk Ebony.

This is where I was taught all things modern barbering, fades, tapers, beard work, and line ups from Jordon McKenny (@barbersdream) who I believe is one of the best in this industry.

I went on to own my first Rokkman barbers in Toorak. Through this time, I was fortunate to have won the 2017 American Crew all Star challenge which sent me over to Brussels to compete internationally.

Having to deal with some personal issues I made my departure from Rokkman Barbers a little lost and not sure once again where I really fit into this world.

From here my road was challenging but what I will say is I never gave up, I never stayed down for too long and I never stopped trying to be the best version of myself possible.

Growing up my mum would always tell me anything is possible, follow your dreams and don’t ever give up. Having this outlook in life is most likely the reason I’ve never been a goal-setting person as I’ve always believed that I can achieve more and learn more. I’ve never put a limit on what’s possible, I do believe in myself and my love for cutting hair but more so in the clients that sit in my chair.

LET’S TALK SHOP....

In 2021 I met my partner Sheridan Kyle who had built “Bonnie and Clyde’s” in Gippsland. I found myself soon moving “back to the country” and helping build and grow Bonnie and Clyde’s.

We have an extremely talented team of barbers and hairdressers whom I’m extremely grateful for.

We pride ourselves in delivering some of the best work in Gippsland.

We believe that “the experience” is the most important part of coming into our shop.

We also promote a safe space/gender-neutral environment, so everyone feels welcome when they sit in our chair.

Tool Talk

Shears: For scissors, I proudly only use excellent edges, I became an ambassador in 2018 and I have a huge amount of respect for owner Pete Walstab and Blade Smith Jaime Schultz and believe that their scissors go above and beyond but also their theory behind how to use different types of scissors is something you can’t go without.

I use a 6.5-inch Fuji for my point cutting and a 7-inch Robin for my scissor-over comb. I also like to experiment with the Gator and the Raptor for creating texture and directional movement.

Machines: For all things clippers my tool kit is aligned with WAHL WAHL WAHL!!

My first pair of clippers at 15 were the OG Wahl Super Taper. The fact that Wahl has been in the game for over 100 years and is the number one clipper brand worldwide should say enough, for me, it’s the quality of the product, Wahl’s diverse range of tools gives you a clipper for every hair type, and that speaks volumes to me.

I’m fortunate enough to hold every clipper within the range and have a love for each one as they all hold a purpose in my tool kit.

My favourite at the moment, is the Wahl Cordless Legend for its extended lever range, the Cordless Senior for the extra power and the Cordless Detailer LI for my sharp lines and close cutting.

What Haircare and Styling products do you choose to use?

Firstly, Uppercut Deluxe; I feel like Uppercut is one of the leading product brands in the barbering world. They’ve set a high industry Standard for visually appealing, easy-to-use products.

My favourites here would be the Styling Powder and the Salt spray for matte texture and movement.

I love the philosophy behind the brand, and I have a lot of time for owner Steve Purcell and his vision of the future of barbering. DeLorenzo Haircare, I love DeLorenzo not only for how kind their products are for the scalp but also for their doctrine around all things hair.

I love that they are Australian-made, vegan friendly and the company itself is still family-owned, that really shows though when dealing with anything DeLorenzo. My favourite here would have to be the Elements Range.

When did you first get to educate and what does it mean to you to share your passion and knowledge with others?

I first jumped into education at age 23 when I completed my training and assessment qualification.

I started my first role at the Gordon TAFE in Geelong where Anna Penn, education coordinator taught me the ins and outs of teaching, delivery and assessment planning and creating my own training plans. This is where I really fell in love with education.

I believe that by completing this qualification, teaching within a Tafe really built a strong foundation to educate others. The reward of giving back to the younger generation of barbers and hairdressers is a blessing.

Through this space, I started holding my own non-accredited barbering short courses which became extremely popular.

In 2017 I was approached by Wahl to join their first Australian Education Team.

This was a dream come true for me and from here I’ve been fortunate enough to do big stage shows, and events and hold workshops all over Australia.

In 2022 I was chosen to represent Wahl Australia in LA as a “future maker” a new global team formed of 10 country leaders bringing together a collection of haircuts to be delivered all around the world. Earlier this year I had the opportunity to spend the week in Brisbane at the Barber Temple sharing the collection with our talented Australian team.

I am also a guest artist for De Lorenzo and have been educating with them for 5 years now, this has seen me travel all over Australia holding advanced barbering workshops for all levels of hairdressers and barbers.

I hold a lot of time and respect for this company and the way they treat the artists they work with.

Ben On Community

I feel very blessed to have found a craft I love at an early age, the best part, I feel, about this industry… is that for the majority we are one big community of individuals, and I think that’s a beautiful thing.

What this industry has given me, especially for someone once so desperate to fit in, is that it’s ok to be different, it’s ok to be an individual which has therefore given me a sense of belonging and has taught me a level of self-love and care.

I’ve been lucky enough to of trained several apprentices and qualified barbers in this industry who have gone on to become extremely successful individuals.

Giving back to this industry that’s given so much to me has been a big focus for me throughout my career.

I’ve been humbled to have spent time alongside my brother Nasir Sobhani (@thesreetsbarber) and Roseanne Rofaeel (@ christmasonthestreets) both of whom I can’t speak highly enough for continuing to constantly give back to others. It’s here, in their space, that I have really learnt a level of gratitude for the life I get to live. Please check out these amazing humans and what they do.

And what’s in the future?

I have a number of workshops coming up through Wahl and De Lorenzo which you can find a link to via my Instagram.

I have a creative shoot planned with Uppercut for later this year, plus several big things I can’t mention coming soon.