A Clean Shop Is A Happy Shop

   This morning I got up and got ready for work as I always do. Made the 30 minute drive to the shop, counted my cash drawer and started cleaning before opening the shop.

   Several times I sweep and mop the shop, dust the whole shop and clean the windows. Right now while it is just me at the barbershop sometimes it takes me a little longer to make sure everything gets done but it gets done.

   The first thing a customer sees when they walk in the door or more importantly sit at your station is how clean it is. For myself I work my butt off to keep a clean almost spotless workspace and I keep the shop as clean as I can. I want people to know they are coming into a shop where people take pride in what they do.

   When I first started cutting hair in California the first shop I worked at had 8 chairs and was charging $4.50 for a haircut. Piles of hair on the floor and no care in people's work area. One day with a few minutes of down time I pulled the cushion out of my chair and there was almost a 1/2 of hair clippings wedged between the chair and the cushion (so gross). When you are doing 15-29 haircuts a day you need to change the jar of herbicide a little more often then normal and so I stated changing it daily. The owner did not appreciate this because she did not want to pay for more herbicide so I stated to bring my own barbicide so i could change it daily. The crazy old lady even had the nerve to say "I pay you to cut, not to clean".

    If you are in a low volume shop it is easy to keep a clean shop and there is not excuse to have a dirty shop. If you work in a high volume shop at times it is a little more difficult but it is just as important to keep a clean shop/work space.
  
    Clean tools, clean shop and a clean work space makes for a good work environment and happy customers (at least I hope).

Man That's Alot Off Pomade!!

   So I follow a facebook group called "Addicted To Pomade" and it is kind of cool because it lets you see how many pomade brands are out there and man there are a lot! As I worked on the last post which was a review of Ivan Zoot's pomade and the Bona Fide pomade I got to thinking about being a kid.

   I was using pomade back in junior high a pomade by DAX. I remember it being this green color and made with vegetable oil. It came in a plastic can with a metal lid. It was not the best smelling product in the world but it did the job

   Then came the painful task of using Murray's (yeah you heard me...painful). I have used this off and on for many years now and my wife still hates it becuase it will be in my hair for days. That bright oragne can with the pomade you have to melt down to make usable. I learned quickly you better have a good brush and a blow dryer handy. You can not get more old school then this, but I was happy the day i found the Murray's light!

   Then came Royal Crown Hairdressing. I am not even sure when I found this but it was awesome because all I had to do was put it and come it through. That is what I used in my hair on my wedding day and I still like using....high shine. I will be honest pomade back then never smelled the best, it was grease, oil and wax.

Layrite Pinup by id Stankovit

    I had just started barber school when I got my first can of Layrite (courtesy of Don Hawley himself) and man was I grateful. held well and washed right out. I now had something that smelled good and worked well (I also got my pillowcases back).

    I did not have Layrite, Suavecito or Hold Fast. I was so happy the day I got my first can of Laytite (and so was my wife). I am happy that companies have started putting out really good water based products but I am also happy to see people making there own pomades as well. It is cool to see so many different kinds, weights and scents becuase I did not have the options that people have now!

Stay Greasey and Support Your Local Barber!!
Frankie The Barber

Speed v. Efficiancy: It All Come In Time

Filling a chair at Covenant Barbershop

    So today I want to talk about an issue that affects everyone in the hair industry (barbers and cosmos) and that is finding the fine line between speed and efficiency. 

    When I got out of barber school I knew one thing and that was to become the barber I wanted to become was going to take time and experience. Unfortunately right out of school it seemed like everywhere I was working was expecting me to be 100% on point but I was either to slow or just not very good yet.

    When I moved back to California the first shop I worked at (I have only worked in a couple of shops since coming back to CA) was a chop shop. The shop only charged $4.50 so to make any money you had to work your ass off!! The guy who was cutting hair next to me would crank out 30+ haircuts in a day. Just because this guy was fast did not mean he was very good.

    I have now been at my current shop almost a year and in the time I have found my speed get better in my haircuts but more importantly the quality of my haircuts have gotten better. Am I as good I would like to be...No. Will the time come where I want to be....Yes.

    When you get out of school and get behind the chair realize that in time the speed will come but it is more important to work on efficiency because being able to do good haircuts or color is what is going to keep customers in your chair. The speed will come in time and you will begin to notice it.

    On a final note....To the bosses, owners, master barbers, be patient with the  new guy behind the chair because you used to be that kid. You never know you may have the next Ivan Zoot behind that chair!!

   

Taper & Fade.....Cool reading material coming soon!!

.

   So I know I have posted about this before but as they get ready to wind down (13 days left to be exact) I thought I would post again.

   I remember first seeing this project shortly after it's launch back in July and I will be honest kind of forgot about it until back in August when I had the pleasure to meet and spend a few days with not only the staff of BOLT Barber but Sammy Corrado and Trevor Penna.

   When I first read about the book I thought it was just a look book for BOLT Barber, but as I talked to Trevor and Sammy more about the book I began to realize that it is more then just cool haircuts from a cool barbershop in Los Angeles but it is about the culture ot the barbershop.

   This 128 page book is not going to be like the crappy style books you see at normal salons or the corporate salons. Taper and Fade will show the everyday man and the latest rage in hair. Taper & Fade: Los Angeles will not only be a collection of current hairstyles for men but offer tips on how to put more swagger in your step.

   I have put my money where my mouth is. Right after I got back from LA I made sure I committed to this project and hope to see other do so as well, especially barbers. A book like this is good for us

Yeah, that's me after a long day of cutting in Venice

Murphy's Traditional...An experiment

   So after my post about pomade makers and those who claim to make handcrafted pomade but in all actuality they are having others make it for them I decided to go through the process of making my own pomade.

BeesWax from Tower Health

   Murphy's Traditional is what I am calling my pomade for this project. So the first thing I did was spend a ton of time looking for recipes on a pomade and surprisingly enough I did not find as many as I thought I would. So after finding a base idea I needed to figure out what I wanted it to smell like and how heavy I wanted it.

   So I decided to work on two weights...A medium hold and a heavy hold so I hit up Tower Health Food in Fresno,Ca and picked up a couple of small bags of beeswas pellets (melts fairly easy and evenly) and a small bottle of orange oil for scent (this is going to be the medium hold). For this experiment I hit up my local dollar store and purchased several cans of petro (buck a piece, can not beat that).

    So finally get a some time after I get done with my day at the barbershop grabbed metal mixing bowl, some crappy beat up measuring spoons and a pot of hot water. Melt down the wax, added the petro and orange scent then grabbed a couple of empty can I had laying around the house poured the ingredients in the cans and let it cure for the night.

    Next day I checked out my little concoctions and had to figure out what I needed more of. Melted them back down added a little more petro in both, added more orange in the medium weight and had to add some more rum to the heavy weight (yes, I said rum. Sailor Jerrys to be exact). Let it cure again over night.

First Can Of Murphys Original

   I got to work this morning with my small can of the medium weight (orange scent) and used it in my own hair and so far it is holding in a fashion that I was hoping for. Not super hard but still easy to manipulate. The heavy weight still has some tweaking to be done. One of the keys it to keep track of everything you are doing....Write that crap down!!!

   So what is to become of this project...My own Frankie The Barber brand pomade. Who know, but I will tell you this a huge thumbs up to all you guys out there putting out good product. Keep up the good work. We appreciate it!

Shear, Shave, Shark!!!! Best weekend ever!!

    When you think of a trade doing guest spots you think of tattoo artist you usually do not think of a barber. This weekend I had the opportunity to do a guest spot in Southern California with the staff of BOLT BARBER and BOLT On Safari.

Me and Mohawk Matt

    The event called "Shear,Shave,Shark" was four days of free haircuts and Shark Week goodies held in DTLA, Long Beach Aquarium, Venice Beach and Gladstones 4 Fish in Pacific Palisades. The event was in conjunction with the Discovery Channels "Shark Week".

    Getting the chance to work with other barbers in a whole new setting is a good thing to do once in a while. It gives you a new perspective on what you do and where you do it. For me this trip gave me a whole new perspective on myself and reminded me that I am a good barber. More importantly I am a better barber then some people give me credit for. I may not be the greatest barber yet but one day I will get there!!

Working Hard At Gladstones

      The locations I got to cut hair at could not be beat. Seriously, the ocean is one of the best views on the planet. Venice Beach was cool with some odd characters. I was able to meet some interesting people and seeing some out right odd kats!!

    Gladstones was amazing! Did not do as many haircuts here but met some cool people. The staff of Gladstones were AWESOME!! There kitchen staff all came out and got haircuts, fed us and totally got what "Shear, Shave,Shark" was all about.

    When you get an opportunity to do things like this...take them and work just as hard for them as you would at your own work. You never know what may happen.

Work station At Gladstones

    I need to thank my boss for letting me take the day off to be apart of this event. More importantly I need to thank Mohawk Matt and all those involved in "Shear,Shave,Shark" for welcoming me into there tribe. I do not think you guys realize how much I not only enjoyed my time with you guys but how much I needed the new perspective on what I do....THANK YOU!!!

BOLT On Safari

Imperial Barber Grade Products

    So if you are a product company and your tag line is "MADE TO WORK: Made By Barber.Made To Work.Made In The U.S.A" you better have a good product!!

    I have been one who believes that some of the best products come from the people who use them and I am not talking about the consumer but the barber. A perfect example is the barber who makes his own pomade is not just about haveing something to sell and make money on but they have found it important because there is something in there pomade that they have not found in other products. This really how IMPERIAL came into being.

    When my package of IMPERIAL samples showed up I was really excited to see what all they were kind enough to send me. I cracked open the envelope and there was a pre-shave oil and aftershave.There was also in little what seemed like 1/2 ounce conatiners of there pomades styles including there original "Classic Pomade", "Fiber Grease", "Gel Pomade" and their "Matter Pomade Paste". They also sent me a sample of there "Pre-Shave Oil" and the "Bergamot After-Shave"
.
    So I think I am going to start with the shave products. I use a pre-shave oil not only on myself but on all my customers who come into the shop for a shave. This lavender scented oil is not overly greasy and is great before the straight razor shave and a hot towel or you can use it when you are shaving at home with (or without) shave cream. I am kind of torn on the aftershave for one reason only...I am a sucker for bay-rum aftershave!!! The great thing about this aftershave is that it has a soothing element that a lot of aftershave do not have.

    Not to tackle the hair products. We have 4 solid products a couple od them I like and a couple I will not use a lot. I have never been a fan of pomade creams or paste and it is mainly because of the lack of hold. Today I did use the Cream pomade on a kid at the shop and it is alright for that messy short look. I did not think I was going to like the Fiber Grease especially since it is not a super stong hold  but it seems to be pretty pliable. Gel Pomade is a medium hold but I was not a fan of the texture. The Classic Pomade is where it all started is water based with a strong hold. The texture is a little different then that of other water based pomades and is a little stiffer as well, but still a solid pomade.

    The only thing some people may have issue with is the price point. The pomades are all around $20, the aftershave is $10 and the shave oil is $12. Do not let this turn you away from at least trying out some of there products. For more information hit up the IMPERIAL site or there home shop RAZORBACKS BARBERSHOP.

Something to motivate you

   If I could pick someone to learn under I would pack a bag and head to England to spend as much time as I possibly could under Dale Ted Watkins and Sid Sottung. There are several people in the states that I would love to learn from but for some reason I am a bit drawn to these guys.

   Recently Dale Ted Watkins gave a speech at the great Barbers Surgeons' Hall in London. Below I posted his speech typo's and all. The reason I am posting his speech is because I think it is a very moving and really something we as barbers should always keep in mind about who we are as professionals.

   Dale thank you for giving me something to think about. I hope when I grow up I am as cool as you.

Cheers,

Frankie  

"GOOD AFTERNOON LADIES AND GENTLEMEN

MY NAME IS DALE TED WATKINS

I CONSIDER IT A GREAT HONOUR

TO BE INVITED HERE TODAY BY THE BBA
TO SHARE MY THOUGHTS AND EXPERIENCES WITH YOU

IN THIS WONDERFUL AND HISTORIC PLACE

THE BARBER SURGEONS HALL

IM HERE TODAY BECAUSE I WAS ASKED THE QUESTION WHAT INSPIRES ME!

SO I’D LIKE TO SHARE MY JOURNEY OF HOW AND WHY IM STANDING INFRONT OF YOU TODAY
WHY DID I GET INVOLVED IN MENS HAIRDRESSING WHAT INSPIRES ME!? WHERE DO I GET MY INFLUENCES FROM ?

AFTER MY 3 YEAR APPRENTICESHIP AND YEARS WORKING IN UNISEX SALONS I DECIDED , I WAS ONLY EVER GOING TO BE OK! AS A LADIES HAIRDRESSER
BUT I DIDNT WANT TO SPEND MY WORKING LIFE JUST BEING OK! A WISE MAN ONCE SAID!

“IF YOU ALWAYS DO WHAT YOUVE ALWAYS DONE YOU ALWAYS GET WHAT YOUVE ALWAYS GOT”

I FELT BARBERING WAS AN UNTAPPED MARKET A BRAVE NEW WORLD TO EXPLORE AND CONQUER
I FELT BARBERING WAS SOMEWHERE I COULD MAKE MY MARK

ALL THE TALENT WENT INTO LADIES HAIRDRESSING

THEY THOUGHT BARBERING WAS UNEXCITING ,NOT COOL!

WELL I DIDNT AGREE! I WANTED TO PROVE THEM ALL WRONG!
I WANTED TO BECOME AN EXPERT IN MENS HAIR
I WANTED TO MASTER THE CRAFT I LOVED BARBERING

SO AT THE AGE OF 28 I DECIDED TO START ALL OVER AGAIN

I WANTED TO LEARN FROM THE BEST I WANTED TO PUSH MYSELF TEST MYSELF

I WANTED TO WORK FOR THE BEST I DIDNT WANT TO BE OK! ANYMORE

SO I STARTED MY
JOURNEY.

I WAS FORTUNTE ENOUGH TO BE EMPLOYED AND RE-TRAINED AS A BARBER FOR VIDAL SASSOON!

IT WAS A TUFF JOURNEY BUT ONE I WOULDNT CHANGE FOR THE WORLD
SO WHAT DID I LEARN?
HOW DID WORKING AT VIDAL SASSOON CHANGE ME?

PAUSE????

I KNOW LOOKED AT HAIR IN A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT WAY FOR THE FIRST TIME I CONSIDERED MY SELF A CRAFTSMEN

I RELATED HAIR KNOW TO BEING LIKE A FINE TAILOR
YOU CAN BUY A SUIT FOR A £30 Or
£3000
THEY BOTH HAVE THE SAME PURPOSE BUT THERE IS A DIFFERENT THEORY BEHIND EACH.

A BEAUTIFULLY TAILORED SUIT IS MADE BY A CRAFT PERSON, SOMEONE WHO UNDERSTANDS THE BODY, UNDERSTANDS THE CLOTH UNDERTSTANDS THAT DIFFERENT CUTS CAN MAKE A MAN LOOK MORE MASCULINE.

ITS ABOUT UNDERSTANDING HAIR IS A CLOTH UNDERSTANDING THE DETAIL, HAIR TEXTURES, HEAD SHAPE, FACESHAPE, AND TAILOR –MAKING IT FOR YOUR CLIENT MAKING THEM FEEL SPECIAL, IS WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT

SO WHERE DO I FIND MY INSPIRATION, WHAT INFLUENCES ME?

TO LOOK FORWARD, FIRST YOU HAVE TO LOOK BACK!
IM VERY PROUD TO BE AN ENGLISH MAN
AND THE REASON BEING IS BECAUSE THIS LITTLE ISLAND IS A WORLD LEADER IN FASHION AND MUSIC
A WORLD LEADER IN YOUTH MOVEMENTS FOR DECADES.
SOME OF THE MOST AMAZING STREET CULTURE AND MOVEMENTS HAVE STARTED ON THIS LITTLE ISLAND

MODS , ROCKERS , TEDDY BOYS, GREESERS ,SCOOTER BOYS SUADE HEADS, RUDE BOYS , PUNKS NEW ROMANTICS SOUL BOYS ,CASUALS TO NAME BUT A FEW
ALL WITH THERE OWN BRAND OF STYLE HAIR CUTS AND MUSIC ALL WITH THERE OWN GANG AFFILIATIONS
SOME EVEN HAD THERE OWN MODE OF TRANSPORT THE MODS - HAD THE VESPA OR LAMBARRETA

THE ROCKERS THERE CHOICE OF TRANSPORT WERE BRITISH MADE MOTOR BIKES LIKE THE TRIUMPH , BSA OR NORTON COMMANDERS.
I GET VERY INSPIRED BY STREET CULTURE ESPECIALLY THE MOD AND SKA SCENE .
IM INFLUENCED BY SOMETHING THAT HAS GOT SOUL ,
THAT COULD BE A PICTURE ,A YOUTH MOVEMENT ,CLOTHS OR A MUSIC SCENE

PAUSE!!

GENERALLY MOST IMAGES I SEE IN HAIR MAGAZINES ARE SOULLESS .
IM NOT INTERESTED IN GETTING GOOD LOOKING BOYS WITH THERE CHESTS OUT WEARING CLOTHS THEY WOULDN'T NORMALLY WEAR STYLING THERE HAIR IN A STYLE THEY WOULDN'T NORMALLY HAVE

I’D RATHER PLUCK SOMEONE OUT OF A STREET CULTURE OR A SCENE THEY’RE INTO AND USE THEM AS A WHOLE
BECAUSE THEY’RE REAL ,IT’S NOT MAKE BELIEVE . IT’S GOT SOUL THERE IS A STORY BEHIND YOUR IMAGES OR COLLECTION A STORY WORTH TELLING ABOUT OUR GREAT BRITISH STREET CULTURE AND HERITAGE!

SO IF YOU WANT MY ADVICE EDUCATE YOURSELF BECOME AN EXPERT! DON'T BE PUT OFF IF YOUR THINKING I COULDNT DO THAT! YOUR WRONG! YOU CAN!

I DON'T BUY INTO NATURAL TALENT IT’S NONSENSE- THEYVE JUST WORKED HARDER THAN YOU!
SO IF YOUR UNHAPPY WITH WHERE YOU ARE IN YOUR CARREAR CHANGE IT! LEARN MORE AND WORK
HARDER BECOME WHO YOU WANT TO BE!

WINSTON CHURCHILL ONCE SAID: “SOMETIMES YOUR BEST ISNT GOOD ENOUGH! SOMETIMES YOU NEED TO DO WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE”

SO FOR THOSE OF YOU HERE TODAY WHO ARE STARTINGTHERE JOURNEY AS I DID SO MANY YEARS A GO. MAY IT BE , EXCITING AND A REWARDING ONE
THANK-YOU"

Barbers and Tattoo artist...Trade cut from the same cloth.

Danny Warner and myself in Fresno,CA.

    I am a barber and have had my license since 2006. I have worked in both Washington and California. My friends are barbers and tattoo artist. The whole time I lived in Washington all I did was work and hang out in tattoo shops, but this weekend there was a light switch that clicked in my head and I realized that we as barbers and tattoo artist are cut from a very similar clothe.

    On Sunday while I was getting tattooed by Danny Warner (Classic Tattoo Studio Grass Valley,Ca) we got to have a great conversation about tattooing, regulation and what it takes to be the best tattoo artist he can be. This seriously got me thinking about what I do as well.

    The barber industry is regulated and when I asked him what he thought of the tattooing industry starting to see regulations being put into place his answer was "I am not afraid of it". Continued by making a snide remark about suppliers who sell tattoo equipment and supplies to people at conventions who are not really tattoo artist.

    Just like the "tattoo artist" who buys his stuff from the smoke shop in shady neighborhoods doing tattoos in his kitchen, there are "barbers" who work out of there garages with out going to school and think that is all there is to it. Just because you own a tattoo machine (it is not called a tattoo gun!) does not make you a tattoo artist. Just because you own a set of clippers does not make you a barber.

    As we continued to talk Danny said on thing that made me "wake up" and it was this..."There are going to be people that are better then me and I have to work to be better then them." What the hell this guy who has been tattooing for 10 years and has a nice looking portfolio oh yeah and is tattooing me is honest about that fact that he know there are people that are better then him, but really plans on being the best out there.

    It was at this moment I realized "Wow, barbers and tattoo artist have a lot of shit in common." Not only do we share a craft that goes back hundreds of years but a trade that takes time to master and yeah there are going to be people that are better then us (whether they work in a shop or there moms garage). It is up to you how you handle your career, trade and craft. Someone better then you, what are you going to do to become better then them.

Cut With Pride sucka!!

    It is all in your hands....literally!! Your tattoo machine, your ink, your clippers, your shears, your razor....It is all in your hands!!

Barbers And The Hot Rod Culture

   Alright VLV 15 is over and again it is another year that I did not get to go but that is not what this is about.This is really about how barbers are becoming as much a part of the hod culture as the tattoo artist. So today I spent some time e-mailing some barbers to get there feedback on this topic.

   I know for myself some of my favorite times are when I am cutting hair at car shows, selling pomades at shows or tattoo shows. When you go to major car show events you will find pomade being sold, barbershops with booths set up cutting hair (always busy).

Luis at Covenant Barbershop

   I know that I had the pleasure to interview Don Hawley quite a few years ago when I was publishing The Undergournd Magazine (before Hawleywoods was a proverbial household name). The last couple of years barbershops around the country have been getting covered by not only tattoo magazines but car magazine.

   Tattooing and barbershop hold the same kind of history and Luis Orozco of Covenant Barbershop in Fresno,Ca. believes that it is "with the rise of more traditional style barbershop". Joe Caccavella from Joe's Barbershop in Chicago says "The entire basis of the Kustom Kulture or “Rock-a-billy” scene is tradition. From the clothes to cars to the hair styles".

Joe Caccavella at Joe's Barbershop

Frankie The Barber

    Working in the barbershop and being a fan of the "rock-a-billy" I know that I do not trust Supercuts or the salon inside the local Wal-Mart with my cut. Joe adds " So with the growing popularity of the whole kustom culture lifestyle it makes perfect sense that traditional barbers are showing up more and more that specialize in vintage/period correct cuts and styles".

    Well I think the point has been made....it is all about tradition. I know that for me as a barber I work really hard and take pride in my craft and I am proud of the history and tradition that comes along with it!

Suavecito Pomade

Suavecito Pomade....Good Pomade for the rest of us

So this going to sound like a back handed review of Suavecito Pomade. I really like Suavecito Pomade and I have been using is non stop since they sent it to me several weeks ago. For a so;id review we have to take a look at pomade in the last several years.

In 2012 there are two kinds of pomade petroleum pomades and water soluble/water based pomades. Most people have been using petroleum pomdaes for years (ie: Murrays, AGS, High Life). Water soluble pomades are on the rise courtesy of some really good companies.

So people who know me know that I am a big fan of Layrite Pomade and have been for close to 8 years now (I interviewed Donnie Hawley for The Underground Magazine back in 2005). Hawleywood's Barbershop changed the face of pomade with the release of Layrite Pomade.

There have been some really good companies release some good products and Suavecito being one such company. One of the things I really like is the dark color since I have dark hair (and so do most of my clients). One of the things I am noticing is that the hold seems to get me through a whole day at the barbershop without having to re-comb it and it does not have a crunchy texture a gel would have or a few other pomades I have tried.

Ready for another great selling point of Suavecito it is only10 bucks a can! Suavecito believes that your pomade should not cost more then your haircut. This is a big deal in a time where people have to watch there pennies. You are not getting an inferior pomade...I promise!!

I am not sitting here trying to compare Layrite with Suavecito becuase in the end it is like comparing a green Granny Smith apple with a Red Delicious apple. In the end it is all about what you  like the best. Give them both a shot and find out what you like the best.

But in the end this review is about Suavecito and not only as a barber but as a consumer I will support this company. They are a company that is working hard to put out a great product, looking out for there customers pocket books. For more information hit up Suavecito.

Apprentice v. Barber School

I am not sure I have written about this before but I do know that I have very clear of the importance of having a mentor when you are a young barber. For me not being able to develop a mentor relationship with more experience barber has been one of the biggest mitakes I have made as a barber.

In the past if you wanted to become a barber you went to school then became an apprentice and then after doing an apprenticeship you earned the title "Master Barber" (if I am wring please let me know!). Now in most states you have the option to do an apprenticeship or go to barber college.

I am going to use California as an example for this post, mainly because that is where I am living at this time. To become an apprentice you are required to complete 3200 Apprentice hours in a shop and 220 hours of supplemental instruction in a classroom If you choose the route of attending a barber college you must complete 1500 hours to get your barbers license. f you choose the barber school route be prepared to have to pay cash because it seems that for the most part barber schools are a cash only business.

As I sit here thinking about the pro's and con's you have to look at your personal position. Are you in a place where you can go to school full time or do you need to be able to work. Do you know anything about hair cutting and shaving or is this business brand new to you. If you choose apprenticeship, what kind of program have they developed for there apprentices.What is the barber program in the local school like. These are all things you have to look at going into this.

So what is the point of this post, it is this; be informed! Do the research and make a descion that is going to make you the most successful barber/stylist. Because in the end you hold your future in your hand. If you are like me and went to a mediocre school at best it is going to be up to you to make the best out of your career. Get more education, find a shop with experienced barbers.  But the key in the end is to make informed decisions about your future.

Apprenticeship v. Barber School....You have to figure it out for yourself. Just make sure it is the best thing for you!!

J.M. Mulcahy's SHAVE SOAP & Joe's Barbershop

I really like this shave soap!!

  Alright guys throw out the crappy can of Wal-mart shave soap, go and buy a real shave brush (you can usually find a good one for under 50 bucks) and more importantly buy a good razor!!! This steps will help you get a better shave, also shave in the shower or right after you get out of the shower. Trust me this will help!!
   I have been writing about Joe's Barbershop in Chicago off and on this last year for a couple of reasons: 1) There sweet custom Andis Masters that are powder coated (they are working on a chrome plated one right now!!) and 2) they do some cool events (go to there blog for more info about what they have going on). Today we are talking about the shave soap that they have available for sale in there shop.
  J.M. Mulcahy's is a small company based in Chicago that makes soap with products that come from the U.S.A. They make there soaps with Lye and essential oils instead of using detergents (which most soaps use). The shave soap comes in a metal tin which is why I said previously that you need to get your hands on a good shave brush.
    You want to take that shave brush, some hot water and the can of shave soap and get it lathered up really good. I have found that it does lather up really good! The smell of the soap Joe sent me smells like cedar,which I really like. The shave is pretty smooth as well.
    If you are working in the barbershop setting you can use this as well. Take your can of soap and dissolve about half of it in about a 1/2 gallon of water and you can use it in your lather machine. You may have to mess with it a few times till you get the consistency you  want to see coming out of the machine.
    If you need any more information please get a hold of Joe's Barbershop or J.M. Mulcahy's.

Thank's for sending me a can of soap!!

CosmoProf got all my money!!

So this past weekend me, the wife and kids hit one of the Fresno,CA. CosmoProfs. I went in mainly to look at the wife's Christmas present. What do you buy your wife who does hair...the Paul Mitchell / Tarina Tarantino collaboration blow dryer. A new blow dryer is always good if your old one is starting to spark when you plug it in!

So while I am wandering around the store I look at the Paul Mitchell travel pack that has all the products from "Mitch" men's line but no matter how cool the packaging is I did not have the 65 bucks it was going to cost me so instead I decided to grab a single can of the "Barber's Classic" pomade (moderate hold /high shine). So I will review the individual products as I am able to not only hit the store but decided to buy more of the products.

I am not sure how to approach this one because I do not want to get tons of hate mail for smashing on Paul Mitchell products, by the way I like Paul Mitchell products. Got to  work today and grabbed the can and like any new can of pomade I take a whiff to see the what it smells like. This pomade has a cool lavender smell to it which I really did like. Stuck my fingers in and I did not find it overly greasy  and went in easily. Even though it is a moderate hold pomade I was a bit disappointed that within a couple of hour at work I had to reach into my drawer and pull out my can of Murray's Light to kind of add a little more to my hair.

Please do not get me wrong, I am not hating on this pomade I just know that if you are looking for something with a heavy hold this will not be it but do not be afraid to try and mix it with some other products to make it work better for you.

The last couple of weeks since the shop opened

   So GoldStar Barbershop is now open and we are in week three and it has been pretty cool. Frank and Liz Zaragoza are awesome and there vision for the shop is a good thing. We had our first write up in the newspaper this week. We were covered in the Fresno Bee in the new business section of the paper. You can click on the above link to read the article. Business is still a bit slow but we are already seeing things pick up because of the article. December 8th is going to be the grand opening and ribbon cutting for the shop. If you are interested in coming out feel free to get a hold of me so I can get you an invitation.

This week Ivan Zoot from Andis posted in his blog about the best flat tops in Hollywood. It was a cool post and got me to thinking Who has the best flat tops? I went straight to Tom Sizemore from when he was in Black Hawk Down. Simon Cowell also has a fairly sharp looking flat top hybrid and you can not forget Play from Kid n Play with his pimp hi top flat top!!

    Speaking of Ivan Zoot. This week at work I was helping one of our employees at the shop and she was doing a haircut on a customer with dark and I see she has a white Andis clipper comb and I find myself explaingin to her "Dark comb, light hair, light comb dark hair. You can not cut what you can not see"/ "I was like what just came out of my mouth!!" I sounded like I knew what I was talking about...Thanks Ivan!

    So now I need feedback. I need to find a new razor for work. I have been using the same Mr. Charles razor since 2007 but it is time to find something new. Give me you feedback and what you guys are using.

   Well as we go into the Thanksgiving week please keep in mind what is important...It is not money or the job but our families and our friends. Have a great Thanksgiving everyone!!

  

Grant's Golden Brand Pomade

   So every gearhead and greaser is always looking for the perfect pomade and the more I mess with pomades the more I realize there is no such thing as the perfect pomade,it is all based on the person using the pomade.

    So here is the number one question...Is water based pomade a pomade or a gel? I consider it a pomade. Just like there are lite, medium and heavy weight greases there are different water based pomades.

    The most recent one I have found comes from Washington and is called Grant's Golden Brand Pomade. Grant's Pomade has a somewhat clear color with a light scent. So the scent is not over powering. So far the I have not had to use a ton of it in the cuts I have done. This is a good thing depending on how much you need to use.

    For myself I had to use a little more because I had not had a haircut in a few weeks. I used it on someone who is growing there hair back right now and it seem to hold it down pretty well. Today I used it on a young man who had thick,course hair and was wanting to start cutting and styling his hair in a 50's traditional style (thanks MadMen). It seemed to be holding well.

   So what separates Grant's from Layrite, Suavacito or Lucky 13's "Juniors" pomade. It is definitely heavier then the "Juniors" pomade but I am not going to compare it to the others because in the end it is going to be the preference of the of the person using the pomade. I know people who use Layrite and will not use anything else.

   Oh yeah and Grant's also has a limited edition "Putty Pomade" that is water based as well. This may be worth checking out as well.

    I like there pomade and really think that if you prefer water based pomades you should try it out...plus they are a small company. Thanks to Oak Barbershop in Portland,Oregon for turning me on to this pomade.

Trends.....How far do they reach

So last night I read an article on the Times online that feature F.S.C. Barber and the topic was how we are seeing haircut styles from the 1930's era showing. This kind of article about mens trends have been popping up a little more often then normal with the help of companies tapping into the rockabilly scene, shows like MadMen, movies like J.Edgar...etc.

Movies and tv have always made an impact on what trends are blowing up but as a working barber here is my question; How far to trends reach? Do trends in mens style reach to all four corners of the country?

I know that in the area I live and work it sometimes seems like men do not care or  maybe worry (would be a better word) about what the current trends are in mens style or grooming and do not get me wrong this is not a bad.thing. Are cool trends only for the west village hipster, rich young trendsetters, European d.j.'s.....no way!

As a barber I would love to see more clients coming into the shop asking for cuts similar to what we saw during the 30's, 40's and into the 1950's. I think these very traditional mens haircuts, I think they are a great reflection of our craft as barbers.

Trends are a funny thing and in closing I think it is important for barbers to pay as much attention to men's trends as much as the general public does. I also think that men should be open to new things whether it is a new cut to even a new suit.

This is one of those things that made sense in my head as I wrote it so I hope it made sense as you read it. Click here to read the whole article on the Times website or go out and get today's times and read the article.

Hardcore and the Barbershop pt.1

So I am going to start tracking down barbershop/salons that are owned by dudes that came out of the hardcore scene. We already know of plenty tattoo parlors tied to hardcore, Now it is our turn as barbers to represent the our roots!!

    So recently I got a message from a very good friend of mine up in Portland,Oregon and the only reason he was getting  ahold of me this time around was to tell me about OAK BARBERSHOP there in Portland and to tell me who owns it. The shop is owned by Augustus Bowman who was in the band DESPERATE MEASURES (Youngblood Records). He played in DM for about a year and moved to Portland about 4 1/2 ago after working in a tattoo parlor in Maryland.

In 2008 Augustus decided to go to barber college and the only thing he had to say to me was " my only regret was not going sooner. I love what I do, I love my clients, and I love the life I'm slowly carving out for myself. It was a lot of work to get to the point where I was ready to open OAK, and it was a lot of work to physically build the shop, but it's finished and now every day I feel lucky that I get to go somewhere I built and do something I love"

I asked Augusts about the barber culture there in Portland,Oregon he said that it is kind of wierd since alot of the older guy are not the most "talkative" (this is something I have noticed since even I became a barber).  I'm pretty friendly with a few other barbers in town, but I think that comes down to the fact that I don't consider other barbers who work in actual barbershops competition. Not in an ego sense, but in a "there's half a million plus people in Portland" kinda way. Anyone who does good haircuts and respects barbering isn't my competition, cause they want the same thing out of their craft that I do, and the more good barbers, the more the public understands what we do is a practiced craft, and the 8 dollar chop shops and the great clips are the who all of our competition is, as it reduces what we do to a walmart mentality

If you are in the Portland area get in to see Augustus Bowman over at his shop OAK Barbershop, follow them on twitter @OAKBarbershop or look them up on Facebook.

Unused Rev labels that are going to be framed and hung in OAK BARBERSHOP

50 Years means little in Oregon

So this evening courtesy of  "A Barbers Life" blog I found this video that raises the question of our licenses as professionals and what it means to state governments.

So here is the question; "If you are an older gentlemen (this man is 82 and has been working for 50 years) and maybe had forgotten to pay your licensing fees. What should be done....Just have you pay your fees and be done with it, make you retake your practical  for your state just to make sure you are still on point or try to force you to go back to school?"

So I decided to do some research about this story and it is actually a bit disappointing. If this was a mix up on the side of the Oregon Board of Cosmetology and Barbering and the fact that they were not willing to allow this gentleman to pay the back fees and get back to work then that this is not a good thing.

This is a weird position to be in. It is not a black and white issue sometimes, but just judging this story at face value I believe that the State Board should of allowed this man to renew his license and pay all the back fee. More importantly I hope this is not an issue because of his age...remember the man in this story is 82 so did the state board think he was too old to continue working as a barber....I do not know.


To read this story for your self here are the links....lets get some feedback on this story:

82 year old Oregonian man closes barbershop.
Oregon Board of Cosmetology Decides Barbers Fate

Movember

    The Waldorf Barbershop in Dublin, Ireland has become a bit of obsession of mine. Anytime there is a video online I watch it, I follow there website...etc. This is the shop would love to work in and grow in my trade in.
    Being a barber is a trade and it is one I am proud to be a part of. It is about other, it is about history and it is about community. This video is a good idea of how I feel about what I do....Enjoy the video.
    So Movember is not just about dudes growing mustaches but it is about men's health and Prostate Cancer awareness. It is a great cause....Find people involved support and donate!!