What tool is commonly used in barbering to create a fade in haircuts?

The clipper is a fundamental tool in barbering, particularly for creating fade haircuts. Its design, equipped with various guard lengths, allows barbers to achieve a smooth transition from short to long hair. This versatility enables them to tailor the fade to the client's desired length and style.

When utilizing a clipper, barbers can blend different sections of hair effectively, ensuring that there are no harsh lines between varying lengths. The rapid motion of the clipper also helps maintain time efficiency during the haircutting process.

In contrast, the straight razor is primarily used for detailing and finishing touches, not for establishing the foundational layers of a fade. The comb assists in sectioning hair and achieving precision during cutting, but it cannot create the fade effect on its own. Shears are also essential in cutting and layering hair, but they do not provide the same blended effect as clippers do for fades. Therefore, clippers are the tool of choice for barbers when it comes to creating fades in haircuts.