While Ackerly insists that La Flamme is the most celebrated hair-cutting establishment in the Square, Custom Barber Shop, another low-cost barbershop on Brattle St., also has a loyal following.

"I've found you can avoid most of the lines that you see at other Square establishments [at Custom Barbers]." says Ryan E. Dorris '00. "That's where you get a man's haircut."

Whether they go to La Flamme, Custom Barber Shop or even Great Cuts, nearly all cash-strapped students agree that there is virtually no choice between these barbers and high-priced salons.

"Anything but La Flamme or Great Cuts is going to cost you an arm and a leg,"says Ackerly. "I made one conversion until Irealized that the $35 was not worth it. Soon mypocketbook was drained, and I had to hope for abetter La Flamme experience."

In contrast, Wegener feels that the Squareoffers a good deal to those who need a cut.

"You'd think coming into Boston the priceswould be vastly inflated," he says, "but you canget a haircut here for dirt cheap."

But some students are turned off by La Flammefor reasons unrelated to the price or the qualityof the barbering.

"All I know is that his barbershop's called LaFlamme, and that's sketchy," says James R. Allison'00.

--Ideas for Behind the Scenes? E-mailstuddlife@thecrimson.harvard.edu