ANDIS Fade Clipper

   Disclaimer: Just because a clipper says "fade clipper" does not mean it is going to make you better at doing faded (or tapered) haircuts. There is no magic power to the clipper. Doing a  tapered (faded) haircut takes alot of practice to get it down.

    So I picked up the newest release from ANDIS. There new FADE Clipper and it caught my eye becuase of the shape of the clipper. It reminded me of the WAHL Senior that my buddy Victor swears by.

   So I am not sure if this is replacing the ANDIS Fade Master that we have come to use, but it will do the job if this is the case.

   These clippers are comfortable in the hands because of the ergonomic design. The blade is a #0000-#000 and gets pretty darn close and if you do a lot of bald fading the blade can be zero gapped. Heavy duty motor that will allow you to cut through wet and dry hair..

    My complaints are small and one is they are a lot louder then ANDIS lets on. You need to adjust them to find that sweet spot but I still found them to be louder then the my Fade Masters (youngsters do not like loud clippers). Second problem that I had is that they are heavier then I was hoping they would be.

    If you do a lot of fading the the important points out way what I consider negative points. Also do not forget ANDIS clippers are still made in the U.S. (big deal to me). The retail for the FADE Professional Clipper is less then $60 bucks. If you already own the Fade Masters do not worry about spending your money on these but if you do not own the Fade Masters and money is a little tight then these will do just fine.

   

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

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   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

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.

Barber Versus Stylist

So today Ivan Zoot posted a link to an article by a gentleman named Carlos Rogers from Philadelphia. (Barber v. Stylist article....please read) .

So as I sat and read the article I actually became kind of annoyed because many traditional barbers that are out there- there are just as many barbers that are changing things. Bringing traditional barbering in with new skills and new styles.

Even us simple minded slack jaw barbers know we need to know what is going on so we can make a living. (please note the sarcasm!!)

I am a barber...proud of my trade and we as barbers proudly embody. This gentleman say he started in the barbershop then why the cheap shot?

Thank you and good night!!

I love razors.....

So last week I am hanging out at my buddy Luis's shop Covenant Barbershop here in Fresno and a rep from a company called MD Barber Supply out of Bakersfield shows up pimpin' his wares.

While he is chatting with Xavier it dawns on me that this company has a really solid razor I have been wanting to get my hands on. It is at this moment he whips out there newest toy.

MD BLACK DRAGON Razor

Black handle....Stainless steel, powder coated and well just damn cool in my opinion!! Crap man my favorite color is flat black! When you put your razor blade in you see the edge of the blade against the black.

Good balance and not a heavy weight razor at all.
for more info www.mdbarber.com

The Art of Shaving has teamed up with Gillette and has given us the new Gillette Fusion but please understand you can not buy this at wal-mart or any other discoutn retailer. It is chrome and really kind of cool.
"... perfectly balanced and weighted to feel like a natural extension of your hand, maximizing stability and control. Gentle micro-pulses help you reduce friction and increase razor glide*. The built-in spotlight, the first of its kind, reveals details normally in shadow - such as under the chin and jaw line - to help you avoid missed spots and make every stroke count. The sleek, contemporary handle is an ideal combination of ergonomics and innovative design, handcrafted in polished chrome and wrapped in a matte black, thermo-resin grip."

There are just fancy words for a good razor...I have had the opportunity to use this razor truth is it is a good razor. The gift sets make a great gift for your pops or someone cool.
more info www.artofshaving.com