Powell's Hair being "Filed?" What's THAT about?!

[Jenny]

I believe razor cuts often involve creating layers - I'm no expert though. Here's what seems like a good description of a razor cut:

"The razor blade creates multiple layers on hair; but unlike the smooth layers of layered haircuts, each section of hair has a slightly different length in a razor haircut. The overall effect is textured, choppy and messy."

So Powell's short haircut by "filing" might have been considered very fashionable today!

Not an expert on men's hairstyles in the 19th century, but I doubt gentlemen's haircuts were "choppy and messy" then (correct me if I am wrong)! I bet it was just a quick, carelessly done cut on him using a razor blade to get it short for the reasons Gene stated. Giving the poor guy a stylish short haircut for the time most likely wasn't on the agenda of the cutter.