Karen is an artist. The shop itself is tastefully decorated, welcoming, and comforting. Every barber I have seen working there looks just how you would want them to, stylish as hell. They all do incredible work from what I’ve seen. I’ve had my hair cut by Karen twice and they were the best two haircuts of my life. After decades of cheap mediocre haircuts, Karen’s first cut made me feel great right out of the shop. It grew out wonderfully for months and after the second cut I can honestly say my hair has never looked better. GO HERE! If that isn’t enough, there is a cold beer waiting for you when you arrive.

Cool shop. Being surrounded by good vibes while getting a much needed cut is exactly what youll get here.

Last month Karen gave my sister such a great cut that while I was in town I just had to take advantage of her expert skills. I love my cut! --I wish I could find someone in WA with the same expertise. And I loved the warm, inviting environment & old school tunes. Thank you, thank you.

First time here and I loved it !! I would totally recommend. Bella and Alex are super professional, great mini conversations. Both my kids got a haircut and they also loved how it came out. FANTASTIC!!!

I arrived 10 minutes early for my haircut. Charles finished cutting the dude’s hair about five minutes after my scheduled time, nbd. But then I sat there as he just talked to the guy for 15 minutes out on the sidewalk, finally starting my haircut about 25 minutes after the scheduled appointment time. It was a sloppy cut (uneven lines, as many others have said), nowhere near worth the money, and overall the worst barber experience I’ve had in my 33 years.

Best experience ever.If you looking to get your hair trim, and enjoy the best treatment, this is the place for you!Since I moved here 4 months ago, Karen in charge on my haircuts and she is amazing! Professional and very fun to talk with.Do yourself a favor and book appointment. Book with Karen. You deserve it!

Had the privilege of getting a haircut and beard trim from Charles, best haircut Ive received in years. He understood exactly what I was looking for after a few sentences and made it a reality in no time.The shop is clean, great atmosphere, and everyone that walked in the door was welcomed warmly.Will 100% be back!

I have been going to Charles Blades Barber Spa for several years now, specifically to see Karen. She always provides high quality cuts with super enjoyable conversations. I highly recommend booking an appointment with Karen if youre new to the area and looking for a new barber, or you are a well-established local and simply looking for a change.

Youre looking great! When it comes to hair trimming and cutting, this barbershop is really one of the best. My hair was cut by their barber, which was cool because I look great in my new hairstyle. The services they provided were truly outstanding, and the charges were reasonable. Guys, you did a fantastic job! MANY THANKS!

This shop is a must-stop in the Bay and Karen is an A+ barber! I moved from Harlem and was afraid I wouldn’t find a good barbershop and I was wrong. The team here is incredible. Charles is so great at what he does and the environment he sets and Karen has the Midas touch. No one touches my hair but her. If she’s booked up, I will patiently wait because I always leave looking like a star. Since I’ve been going here, Karen has helped me view my haircuts in a new way and that has lead to increased confidence in my look&style. Book with this team, book with Karen!

Great atmosphere with great people. Karen did a fantastic job on my haircut. I dont write reviews very often, but this place deserved it.

Couldnt ask for a better experience. The attention to detail, expertise, and charisma were beyond fantastic. Loved the vibe and decor. Definitely will be coming back!

Stay away if you value your time. I had an appointment with SHO. My experience was straight out of a Seinfeld episode. They know how to take the reservation, you just dont know how to *hold* the reservation and thats really the most important part of the reservation. It took them half an hour *after* my appointment time to tell me there is another guy in front of me.

Charles listened to what I wanted and gave me a perfect cut with a clean fade. Great conversation, great value. The best in Oakland! Highly recommended.

It was such a relief to get a great cut from Karen at Charles Blades. Ive missed the shop and the team, but wasnt sure when Id feel comfortable going back indoors for a haircut.They have set the shop up so well. One at a time with nice space to wait outside, an air filter running inside the shop, and sanitized chairs in between cuts.And I forgot how good and fast a pro cut can be after 6 months of home cuts! They even have my favorite product in stock.Thank you Karen and Charles Blades--Ill be back again soon!

The attention to detail and professionalism I experienced was the best so far. Expensive, but definitely worth the price.

Great atmosphere and service. Charles and Bella were very nice and the shop has very cool vibes. Not to mention the haircut was the best I’ve ever had. Would definitely recommend them to anyone needing a post pandemic cut!

Alex has been my go to Barber ever since he first cut my hair. His professionalism, friendly additude and upmost attention to detail is what kept me coming back. If youre ever looking to change your hair style from the norm in any fashion, Alex will guide you through with honest input and recommendations.

Been having my hair cut by Charles for a few years now, hes a great guy who does great work even if youre like me and are kinda bad at giving directions. Hes running a very clean and safe shop so if youre like most of us and need to fix your hair up, give him some business!

Great atmosphere, and friendly service shamari cut my father’s hair and it came out great, I will be using this baber spa again for pops

Had an amazing cut by Karen today! She was so caring and considerate of COVID precautions. I was really impressed by her attention to detail. She really made me feel FRESH👍🏻. Great convo too 😜

Karen is fantastic! I gave her very general directions and she knew what I meant right away. She did a great job and was fun to speak with during the haircut. Her knowledge of the Bay Area was an added bonus for a newcomer like me.

Had a cut with Karen today. Wow, just an amazing vibe and she is the real deal. She cleaned my mop and looking forward to growing my hair out in style. Cheers Karen!

Fantastic customer service, great ambiance & always welcoming. Ive been coming here for years. Covid protocols are in place, everyone wears masks & you have to have your temperature checked before coming inside for your appointment.Charles and Bella are my go-to for keeping my hair on point but, honestly, anyone that Charles hires to work at his shop is a top-notch expert. Appointments are preferred as they get booked up with their regulars clients.

I went to this barbershop a week ago. I was so happy when your staves welcomed me with a nice smile and greetings. I was so surprised when the barber man finished cutting my hair immediately. I didnt regret my decision to go to your shop. You deserve to be at the top list! Very highly recommended to everyone!

When I first moved to Oakland from Atlanta, I went to several barbers before finding Charles Blades shop. I was so happy I did. While Charles is my go-to barber, several other folks have helped me out (as well as some friends). Everyone in the shop is beyond kind and helpful, the cuts are great, and the atmosphere is comforting and stylish. 100% recommend for people of all hair types and styles.

I took my boys to get hair cuts ... It was a great experience and my boys were very comfortable and excited about the hair grooming process. Charles has the ability to connect with my family and it’s very important that my children feel welcomed. The space is clean, diverse and the owner practices social distancing for Covid safety. The atmosphere has a family, zen, rustage, jazz feel to it. It’s a permanent place and comfort zone for my 3 teenage boys. They love the energy and connection to the barber.

Bella was amazing. I had no idea she did scissor cuts. I usually go to very high end salons. No need Bella was professional, kind and did a wonderful job. I had not had a haircut in almost 1 year. She made me so happy. Thank you Bella

Worst haircut Ive had in many years. I provided a picture of what I was looking for and the cut turned out nothing like it. It is very uneven and choppy looking. The place is nice and the people friendly, but I wont be going back, at least not to the same stylist.

Love the owner and his professional experience However, I got butchered yesterday by one of his employees on my haircut. I booked an appt for my son and I, they were 30 min late, I had to take a work call so my son went first, people kept on coming for appts and the guy starts rushing and told a guy who was waiting that he was next (I was supposed to be next) however the guy noticed the delay and he canceled. I get it that they want to take as many clients as they can after being closed due to the pandemic but quality and customer service should go first. My neck still hurts after 24 hours. No coming back.

Hats off to this incredible barbershop that was able to handle my hair perfectly. Their barbers are really masterful with their job because they managed to handle my request nicely. The service they provided was really worth it, and I would like to commend them for offering me an affordable charge. I am truly grateful! Thanks a lot!

Get little place I was just a walk in....did a great job....and a open bar...

I love getting a shave and haircut from this high-class establishment. The workers here are artists. Plus they are very warm and friendly. Every time I come in I feel like a V.I.P. It is pricey but the quality of the work and service is well worth it.

After one cut this is my new favorite shop in the bay. Shamari is a craftsman with the clippers

A Hidden Gem in Oakland. Thanks Bella for such a Wonderful Hair Cut. I feel Very Happy with my Haircut. Reasonably Priced, Great Ambiance, Nice People. Totally Love it.

Great atmosphere and great people that give you the look you want! I highly recommend this shop to anyone who is looking for a barber; keep up the great work!

Thought this was a fine haircut, unfortunately when I got home and took a closer look I saw a decent chunk of hair missing above my right ear. Photos of both sides included (the cleanup around the ears isn’t great on the “properly done” side either).Hoped that this place would be a decent barbershop here in Oakland but looks like that’s not going to be it. On the plus side, there’s free beer, although with that quality the cut isn’t nearly worth $35 even with beer included (lining up both sides properly is 101-level stuff which you can get done right even at Supercuts).Edit: after taking a shower I saw that the hair on the top of my head is visibly longer on one side than on the other (left side is longer than right side). This is so amazingly bad that I just dont know what to say. Changing to a (very well deserved) 1 star. Dont go here unless you have another $40 to spend on fixing your hair afterwards.

Highly recommended - See Karen B.The barbershop is clean w/ zero congestion. A touch-less temp check is performed at the door, all waiting customers wait outside and anyone inside wears a mask-glove combo.While we’ve been bringing our toddler here for years, it’s our first pandemic cut. Obviously, we were a bit tense and wary...but per usual, Karen B. was kind, careful, and beyond professional. She dispelled all concerns immediately. We simply adore this lady.The shop may lack the old chatter and buzz of pre-COVID times but the skill and warmth remains.

This barbershop was recommended by my fiancé so I went and I couldnt be happier with how karen cut my hair. I was getting compliments from everyone they loved it also. I also loved how the environment is there, very relaxed!

Friendly skilled barbershop. Free drinks while you wait during better times.

I tried this shop out for the first time this past week, and recieved one of the best haircuts I can recall recieving in my audlt life. In addition to being a phenomenal barber, Karen also help a great conversation the entire appointment window. I will certainly be back!

I cant say enough about Karen B.! She does such a great job and I always walk away impressed and very happy with my haircut. She has a warm personality, is a great conversationalist, and works with the client to give them the haircut of their dreams!

I always leave feeling more confident after I’ve sat in Karen’s chair. The cuts are on point and the whole vibe is very chill. Would absolutely recommend.

Charles is a barber genius - awesome, clean cut provided with a brilliant conversation. I love my visits and look forward to seeing everyone in the shop. Plus I look awesome. As a woman who likes a classic mens cut, I sometimes face a bit of attitude at barber shops. Not here! The clientele is diverse and everyone is embraced. Best barber shop if you demand excellence in style, cut and service.

Thank you Charles for hooking Abdel up. We came in on Thursday, 10/17/19. We had an 1130am appointment. Charles was very professional. Greeted us, offer us drinks, he was right on time. Listened to what we wanted him to get done etc. very friendly and pleasant. The shop is clean and very welcoming. Not loud, not rowdy nor noisy. Most of all Charles is a great artist and craftsman. Great at what he does and loves what he does. Hope to see you in Sweden when you come to Europe Bro. Thanks again for a great service!

Good haircut, great peopleIf you want a quality haircut with good conversation, this is the place

This place is great! Been going here for close to 9 years now. Everyone is always super friendly and professional and Ive never had a bad haircut, no matter who the barber has been.

I had thought I left a review previously but here I go.The most important thing of any Barber is how well they cut hair. Charles has shaped my beastly little beard extremely well. His use of scissors on a beard of my length keeps the split ends away and keeps it much more manageable. He is an artist with scissors and clippers.The location is perfect also, right off the hwy and the surrounding parking is all safe.I have never felt so at home at a Barbershop. Charles makes you feel like you grew up together, if you want good conversation and that barbershop ambience look no further.

Charles was extremely responsive. I wanted to send my father and nephew to a barber shop that was professional but relaxed and they exceeded my expectations. My father had a facial for the first time and Bella worked miracles. Drew did a great job lining up my nephew. I hope the experience and awesome customer service sets the standard for my father when he returns back home. When he returns to the Bay Area again I will be taking him back. I recommend making your appointment early!

I have been a customer of Charles Blades for well over 5 years now. He always makes me look 10 times better than when I enter and is a great conversationalist. In the past, I would fear having to talk with my barber, but with Charles, I look forward to the opportunity to sit in his chair.Charles and the rest of his crew really have built a community-focused barbershop and it shows. Come by if you like a great cut, a beer (if you are so inclined!), jazz, and a welcoming atmosphere!

Bella was amazing. She understood what I wanted and executed perfectly. This shop all around is a 10. Charles welcomed me as I walked in and I felt the customer service from start to finish. If youre looking for a great cut with amazing customer service this is the shop for you. Every cut I saw leave the shop looked amazing. Come give them a shot and I assure you youll be happy. Cheers!

I go to Karen and Charles Blades regularly. Karens by far the best barber Ive had in the bay area and Ive lived here 7 years and gone to top rate barbers. Great cuts, organized, flexible, and builds really solid personal connection. Would recommend 10/10. Thanks for everything, Karen!

As always, Karen worked her magic

Literally everything youre hoping for in a neighborhood barber shop and much more. The shop has been around for over 10 years and has it dialed. Karen gave me a solid cut and beard trim and was absolutely delightful company. The waiting room is super comfy, theres free beer, and there was great free street parking out front. Definitely my new spot.

The atmosphere might be great but all the barbers are not. My husband visited this location with two of our boys for a cut on May 31 around 3:30pm. A woman cut the boys hair who continued to say she had appointments coming in. Apparently she had appointments or did not feel comfortable cutting a childs head. The edging was horrible and the cut was uneven. We were got...$50 for two childrens cuts under the age of 12. She made a quick buck and thats it. There is no quality customer service in that. Very disappointed, if she didnt feel comfortable she should not have offered to do the cut for children. Keep in mind, these are not children who were crying or could not sit still. The female barber simply had no skills.

I always come and get my hair cut from KAREN she always gets me right !!!!! I have thick hair and she’s very good with it so if you have thick hair I recommend Karen for you!! She got the bars no cap

This salon is amazing!

Charles was a consummate professional barber. My goal was to find a good environment for my 11 year old sone to get a hair cut. Growing up barber shops were the hubs of community engagement, something I want for my son. Goal met!

Tony and the guys at Charles Blades do a fantastic job at both cutting hair and making you feel welcome in their shop. Tony is great to talk to, and runs off a seemingly endless supply of enthusiasm for whatever the conversation is at the time. This shop is the first place that makes me feel like my barber is as invested in my hair looking good as I am. Will definitely be my goto haircut joint for the foreseeable future.

This is the spot to be in! All the barbers are top notch and they have great conversation. You will not be disappointed with your visit here. Bella is who cuts me but I see some good cuts coming from the other folk too!

Relaxing and comfortable space. Easy conversation. Had the pleasure of meeting Charles, great balance of personable and professional. He really took care of me. My hair looks great. Overall a great experience. Give em a try.

Charles was very personable and a very, very good barber. He is very professional and personally thank EACH customer as they leave. He and all the barbers greet each person upon arrival as well. I HIGHLY recommend this barbershop and am definitely returning.

Saw Tony. Solid and super thorough. Spoke with Charles Blades for a few since I took a hiatus from the shop. Always an upbeat vibe with appropriate context for all ages. A well assembled crew who manage to get it right. The first shop I felt comfortable in when I moved to the Bay Area 6 years ago.Thanks.

This is a nice clean shop in an up and coming area of Oakland. Charles is a friendly barber that knows his way around hair and beards. The team of Barbers he has surrounded himself with are top notch. It really is a great place to relax, clean up, and enjoy a drink with some good people. Prices are the same as most barber shops, but the service is a cut above.

I cant say enough good things about Charles Blades Barber Spa! I go see Julie Nichols to get my hair cut, but everyone on the shop is amazing. The staff is super friendly, accommodating, attentive, and skilled at what they do. The atmosphere is so fun, my haircuts usually end up being the highlight of my weekend!

I brought my wedding party here for shaves and beard trims the morning of the wedding. Everyone here was super helpful and great at what they do. They really took care of us and made sure we were taken care of. It was a fun atmosphere with friendly and knowledgeable staff!

This place is rad! I took my 13 year old son there for his first barber experience and Tony was terrific! My son got a super fabulous haircut just the way he wanted it! Highly recommend!!

First time there - nice shop and welcoming people. Karen B talked to me for 5 minutes about what I wanted. Perfect haircut. Won’t go anywhere else.

I love going to Charles Blades for both the haircut and the vibes. The place has such a cool ambiance, something lost in most businesses today and that plus consistently excellent haircuts keep me coming back. Charles is such a great guy and I look forward to our conversations each visit. That plus great music, terrific location, easy parking and a complimentary beer make it all worth while.

Recently took my 9 year-old son to get a cut with Chris. So wishing Id found this lovely barber shop when I first moved to Oakland! Good location, fun and relaxing vibe and decor. Charles greeted us kindly when we first walked in and Chris stepped up just seconds later. Chris was just a delight to talk to, listened attentively and gave great styling suggestions. This all resulted in a really smart cut for my son who is just starting to really care about his look. Charles handed my son a graphic novel to read during his cut, which added to the perfect experience. First excellent barber/salon experience in Oakland after three years of mostly expensive and meh.

A classy shop. Great location. Great conversations. And, Charles is a master barber. Im a New York brother and anyone who knows brothers, especially New York brothers, knows we are beyond anal about our hair and Charles is a barber I could trust to cut my hair in preparation for any event or important meeting, which is a source of confidence for me.

Some places have a certain feel. A sense that you’ve been there before and that no matter what you’re welcome to come by anytime and to stay as long as you like. That’s the experience I had at Charles Blades. I was seen to by the man himself but it was clear that every other barber-artist in the establishment was worth their salt as well. To say that I was - no, am- impressed wouldn’t do justice to how if felt walking into and, maybe more importantly, walking out of this spot. If you’re in Oakland, check it out. If not, maybe consider venturing over to see for yourself.

Im so glad I found Charles Blades. It saved me after two long weeks of work away from work. I needed a fresh cut badly but absolutely would not settle for any ole thing. Blades is a great atmosphere that has a progressive, inviting vibe. The barbers are polite, skillful and hip. And my Barber hooked me up. If you need a nice professional cut or fade while in the Bay Area...make an appointment at Charles Blades!!! You wont be disappointed!!!

Nice spot, service was definitely smooth! This guy knows how to pay attention to detail.Buddy Charles open for suggestions when it came time to styling my hair. Much suggested!

Best experience Ive had in a long time. Definitely a man of/for the community.

Decided to try the place out after striking out at other barber shops in the East Bay. Did your wife cut your hair? my sister would always ask me.Anyways, got a cut here, and I know nothing about hair so I looked in the mirror and decided sure, looks good as I always do. I get home and my wife was like Wow, where did you get your hair cut? It looks amaze-balls. So there you go. Highly recommend it. Its a bit out of my usual price range but I got compliments for weeks after and have to admit it was well worth it. Plus they gave me a beer while I waited! You folks sure know how to leave an impression.

The prices are very reasonable and he will even suggest different looks that might look good. I took his suggestion and couldn’t be any more pleased.

Best place best haircuts

Trina cuts my curly short hair. Shes been great while Ive been trying to figure out how I like my hair. Ive had my hair cut by Trina I think like 5 or 6 times. Every time I changed the style up and every time its looked good. The shop has a chill and friendly vibe.

Best barber experience ever, im 65 yrs old...it was clean, friendly, great haircut, beard trim, excellent service...even offered me a cold drink...cant wait til they open backup. Charles, you are the man!!

Bella did an amazing job, it’s hard to find a barber shop I like when I move. The ambience is amazing, great conversation from Mr. Blades and the other barbers with the guests. I will absolutely keep coming here!

Always a great cut and cool vibe in the place! Love that the owner is a huge fan of all things comics and movies. Bonus: grab a beer while you wait!

Every barber here is so skilled and cool. Been going for years. Keeps getting better.Have a beer or whisky while you wait!

Excellent service in an incredibly fun atmosphere. Impeccable 1st class personal attention with expertise in their craft. Charles and Tony are excellent barbers and create a warm welcoming shop for you to take care of your hair and beard.

First time coming here didnt expect much, but walked in and felt the warm vibe of the hairstylist/barbers. Was offered some drinks or candy for waiting. When it came to my haircut, it was perfectly lined, not far back nor overdone, it was just right. Im coming back again for a high-low fade. The design is top notch also.

I bring by 6 year old son to Tony at Charles Blades, and he always gives him the coolest cuts. The entire staff and even the customers engage with my kids while we are there, and the community feel of the place makes it really comfortable right away. As a bonus the shop has an eclectic artsy vibe with rustic wood, mounted skateboards, comic memorabilia (and a PBR for us adults).

Always professional, courteous and very hip. Charles and his team provide a unique and engaging environment thats well beyond your average barbershop. Its a great spot to get your doo corrected, meet interesting, creative people and learn a few things about this ever-changing world we live in.

Great shop, great barber. Sets a tone that makes you comfortable from the start. Enjoyed the cut and conversation!

From the top: Shop is clean, professional and well decorated. Youre offered a beer upon entry, too. Feels like a community. I had my hair cut by Charles, who is so experienced and skilled he makes it look easy. He asks the right questions. Killer beard trim. Will be returning. Recommend this shop highly.

I just had my hair cut by Julie Nichols exactly the way I wanted it, actually even better than I envisioned going in. She knew exactly what was possible with my fine hair-type, added detailed texturing with a blade, and styled it super cool. Two of my friends swore by her, and now I totally understand why. Plus the feeling in the salon is so warm and welcoming. You cant go wrong here.

Great vibe, great conversation, great vibe. This will be my routine barber shop for as long as I live in the area. Thanks guys!

Very friendly service, timely as well! Im usually able to get whatever appointment time I need. Good variety of barber options. Everyones super communicative and team centered. Love this place.

Made a Sunday appointment after a DISASTROUS Saturday haircut at some salon in Alameda.Everybody as warm and inviting...offer me a beer and fixes the disaster that was my hair.Thanks Tony and gang! You are now my place for cuts and I will definitely refer others to any of you!

Clean cuts and good conversation

I see tony and he gets my weird hair and does a great job. but the whole shop rocks! warm and friendly neighborhood vibe and feel!

A couple of months ago I was in Oakland for a weekend and needed a haircut. I found Charles Blades Barber Spa and booked an appointment with Bella. Best haircut of my life! So good that I drove back this weekend and I live in Sacramento.

The epitome of first professionalism and service. Felt warm and welcoming as we walked in the door. The skill and precision of the haircut was second to none. Highly recommend this place.

Julie is the BOMB and she adores her job. Cant ask for anything more! Really listens and is attentive. Great job on my hair!! Love the cut!

I have been going to Charles blades barber shop for about two years, every two week. I like the atmosphere theyve created...my wife is even comfortable going with my son. A little small when crowded, but they do their best to make patrons feel welcomed.

Great cuts and conversations; only shop I go to in the bay.