I have found my cutting efforts on “regular” tapered haircuts is easier and I believe better when I use a high stool to sit on as I work around the sides and back. With this sit-down approach my eyes are at the same level as my cutting. I feel it is easier to give the sides a smooth tapering and a gradual increase in shading as my cutting gets higher.
The tall stool I use is needed because my favorite old barber chair sits quite high. If you work with a lower chair, a lower stool would be best, or one of the pneumatic chairs that can be adjusted to different heights.
I get an added bonus with this approach–it is nice to give old legs a little break on a busy day.
GOOD QUESTION
Nobody can be perfect unless he admits his faults, but if he has faults how can he be perfect?
Dr. Laurence J. Peter