High and Tight Recon vs High and Tight regular haircut difference

[HairAesthetics]

Two days ago a customer at our barbershop asked me about the difference between a high and tight and a high and tight Recon haircut. The answer is simple and easy. But our customer was confused because of what some website said. I checked it out and it's just nonsense what some of these hairstyle websites are posting. I know that the barbers in here don't take any of that nonsense and that both the high and tight regular haircut and the recon haircut have been explained, but I wanted to add my two cents.

BTW For more references see these forum threads on military haircuts:
https://www.menshairforum.com/talk/Threa...n-Products
https://www.menshairforum.com/talk/Threa...tyle-Ideas

The difference between a high and tight and a recon high and tight is the amount of hair left on top of the head. A recon haircut is disconnected higher on the head than a regular high and tight, which means that a recon haircut leaves less visible hair on the top of the head.

With a regular high and tight haircut aka a 'high and tight' the disconnecting line (dividing line) between the hair on the top and the tightly clipped sides and back is at the corner of the temple aka the ends of your forehead. See these pics of a good high and tight haircut:

It's a straight line from one corner of the temple to the other. The disconnecting line passes just below the crown of the head (important!). Everything above this line is clipped short but higher than a guard size #2. The hair below this line is clipped with a guard size #1, #0 or shaved. Another example of a picture perfect high and tight haircut:

There can be some fading at the disconnected line but not too much. If you cannot see a definite disconnected line, then it's not a high and tight haircut! It's a high fade. For hair clipper lengths and sizes you can reference this haircut guide: https://www.menshairforum.com/talk/Threa...structions

This is a perfect high and tight haircut:

Notice the disconnected line and how it starts at the temple and crosses just below the crown of the head.

Read now my next post below about what is a real high and tight RECON haircut.

[HairAesthetics]

A high and tight recon haircut pushes up the disconnected haircut line one inch (or more) higher on the temples. This resembles a mohawk to the untrained eye. The recon haircut is a haircut of the Recon Marines who thought that the regular high and tight was not extreme enough for them. That's put in nice words as they Recons I have spoke to use other words to explain how the recon haircut is their haircut.

This is a high and tight RECON haircut:

A recon haircut always keeps the hair on the top clipped and never higher than a guard size #4. The hair on the sides and back is either clipped with no guard, a #0 or shaved. The recon haircut really is an extreme version of the high and tight haircut.

Another recon haircut picture:

A high and tight recon haircut will always have its disconnected line above the crown of the head. This is tricky at first glance because it requires making sure you're keeping the patch of hair on top of the head straight. But if from the side, the disconnecting line is a straight line that goes above the crown, congratulations, you own a good high and tight RECON haircut!

See this picture of a recon haircut and notice how high the disconnected line is, which makes the recon haircut looks almost like a mohawk:

This is how small the patch of hair on top of the head is in a recon haircut:

And the recon haircut patch of hair can get a lot smaller. See this picture of an extreme recon haircut and how high the disconnected hairline sits:

Glad to help if anyone is looking to get a high and tight or a recon haircut. Know your haircut!

[HairAesthetics]

Oh and here's a picture perfectly illustrating the difference between a recon haircut and a regular high and tight haircut:

The guy on the left has a regular high and tight whilst the guy on the right has a recon haircut. The disconnected haircut line shows the difference clearly. Enough said.

[JaimeSpain]

Thank you for this guide because it makes everything clear about the recon haircut. I didn't know this haircut difference and because we don't have this haircut name in Spain, I don't know what name to use in spanish. Actually some young people from Spain have high and tight haircuts, but these people are usually like problematic people. This haircut is their identity in Barcelona and they listen to fast techno music and gabber music. In the USA you identify the high and tight haircut because you have a big tradition for your military. In Spain and in Europe we don't have this tradition so the only people who have these aggressive high and tight haircuts are frequently young people who like to cause problems.
I really like the recon haircut but if I try it, people would think I am a skinhead. This is the stereotype for the high and tight and the recon haircut. At least in this country and other european countries I have visited like England and France.

[A London Barber]

Excellent explanation on the peculiarities of the high and tight vs. recon haircut as we also get a lot of customers confused with the haircut names. Of special mention is the undercut but that's for another thread!

I'll just say that for anyone who is going to shave his hair on the sides and on the back for either a high and tight haircut or a recon haircut, be careful the first time and use plenty of shaving foam or gel. Hair density on these areas of the head is higher than the hair density for facial hair so you will most likely irritate the skin the first time. Take your time shaving the sides and back.

To the previous poster, we also have the same stereotype in the UK of certain slightly problematic youths who sport high and tight haircuts. But then other young fellas and not so young fellas sport high and tights and they're good people. As a side note the high and tight haircut nor the recon haircut are popular haircuts in the UK's military. The guys here tend to keep the disconnecting of the hair not so succinct unlike Americans.

The high and tight and recon haircuts are US Marines' haircuts for all that I know since they're haircuts which are popular with non military lads in the UK and Europe as it goes too.