November 2021 Life Updates & Vlogs

What’s going on everyone!

I hope everyone has been having a more fulfilling 2021 than what we’ve all endured over this past year! If I can tell you anything, I’ll say that we’re still doing our best to move forward! And hey, that’s all one can really ask for at this point, right?

ANYWAYS!

As much as I want to continue focus on this blog, it’s a little difficult as my personal interests and focus has changed dramatically. I mean, the humor and the person are still one and the same, but not EVERYONE gives a shit about my nerdy hobbies! Granted, there are a decent amount of you that have maintained support regardless of the muse, and that is greatly appreciated! I hope we can maintain that level of support as I integrate some of those types of posts on here.

I will stop spamming this page with my nerd content -however- I will be adding my VLOGS on here. While the VLOGS won’t be hair oriented nor rockabilly leaning, I am still that person, and I feel that they do have a place on this platform.

For now, I will leave a number of my most recent VLOGS on here, but will continually add them as I progress. I do want to maintain hair on this platform, even though I’ve said otherwise previously. So stay tuned for more!

Click the images below to watch these VLOGS!







Until the next time,

POMP HARD!

Haircut Transformation: Father Cuts Off 12 Year Old Daughters Hair!

Man…

Not exactly sure how I should start off this post, but… here we go!

As some of you may know, I have a little girl known on here as The Mini Rebel Rouser. During the early years of this blog she would be featured sporadically throughout my postings on various social media platforms. As she grew up, she didn’t just grow up in front of me, but in front of the readers as well! It has been extremely appreciated whenever a reader would comment on how much she’s grown. I mean, I did have a pretty decent hiatus from blogging, so it only makes sense! But still, I appreciate how invested some people have been not only in terms of reading about pomade, but also my personal life.

Here’s another aspect of that journey I would like to share with you all!

Throughout this quarantine year, she’s had some time to self-reflect and start developing her own level of critical thinking. Whether right or wrong, it’s up to her to make those decisions, and it’s up to me to guide her to understand the rationale behind it. She’s developed her own style and aesthetic when it comes to the material garments such as clothing, and sure enough, hair would soon follow suit…

She brought about the concept of wanting shorter hair. So we’ve weighed out the options in regards to how short. As time has gone, her mind was set on short. And for having worn long hair throughout her life, it was a big change that I wasn’t ready for!

Think about it… As parents, we’ve witnessed their growth from the start. We’ve all envisioned how they will look when they grow up, who they will become, and everything in between. No matter how old they get, they’ll still be that innocent child with wonder and happiness in their eyes, and we’ll never see it any other way. But, there’s a point where they grow out of that. It’s not when boys become a factor or they hit 18. It happens much sooner and it hits like a truck!

The reality is here that she’s her own individual, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m just thankful that’s she’s letting me be apart of it! And with that, I’d like you all to be apart of it as well!

I know there aren’t a lot of similar situations out there where parents are as equally understanding about their kids decision making. I mean, trust me, I’ve made lesser decisions that’s garnered far worse reactions! So, hopefully this sort of video reaches someone who may benefit from it, or knows someone that does.

The Barbershop: Is it an Essential Business?

First and foremost, I want it to be known that I am not a political individual and don’t claim any particular leanings. Because, in short: I don’t give a damn. But this year has been one hell of a trying year and has put everyone to the test, which has caused me to pay attention more than usual. Still loosely, but more-so… Regardless of your situation, we were all put to the test and it sure as hell sucked. For some it was worse than others. Myself as a barber was out of work for six months. SIX MONTHS. As someone who is all about earning every single penny with the work they put in, this was hard. I can’t lie, it was extremely difficult on various levels. But with the community and foundation I had built with clients, there was an immeasurable amount of support and I can’t help but thank each and every one of them every time I see them. Without that foundation, I don’t know if I could’ve had an “easier” time getting into a good headspace, as many of them described. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case for many…

Even so, not every barber, let alone every barbershop has that. So that raises the question: Are barbershops essential?

Early on during the initial Shelter In Place, a lot of people had deemed the barbershop (as well as salons. For the sake of my profession and not having to type it out ever single time, the industry will simply be referred to as barbershops) as non-essential. To a certain degree, I get it… It can be considered a luxury expense. The hollow argument of ‘you can do it at home’ will always be there, and should that be applied to everything else in life? I mean, do you have to eat out? Not at all. Yes, while to some it’s a luxury to eat out all the time, but it’s also healthy to change things up every once in a while. It brings back that mystique of a home cooked meal and the appreciation for the effort took. While many of us are creatures of habit – myself included – it doesn’t mean we should be put in the position to make such drastic changes and accept it.

Change is healthy. Change is necessary. So changing your surroundings and interactions on a day to day basis has really shown its importance. It was little variables throughout the day that many of us took for granted, and spent the last half year missing out on it. Understanding and appreciating these day to day variables is becoming more and more evident each day, especially as we stay at a distance from getting any closer to them. We’re dealing with a constantly moving target, and it’s wearing people down.

Since the vast majority have been ‘given’ the ability to work from home, it means that everything else they did on a day-to-day basis followed suit. Cooking, working out, maintaining “social interactions” with their work peers. Some like that, and some like to be a homebody and not interact with people on a day-to-day basis. As a professional homebody myself, I get it! This is change. A dramatic one at that. But once this level of change becomes normal (and it does became normal real quick,) is it good change? How sustainable is it for a healthy headspace?

Coming back to the barbershop and having began interacting with people again was great. It was exciting and to a certain degree, emotional. Why? Because having kept our interactions to a bare minimum, you lose that sense of community; Of primal human interaction. As much as no one would dare admit: We’ve all developed a bit of prejudice when you’re around people. You don’t know who they are, what they’ve done, if they’re sick, etc etc. (This is not to be misconstrued as an “is it real” argument. Save that for your own social media accounts!) Common courtesy was thrown out the window. Common decency was met with distasteful looks. Far and few were acting as —simply put— a good person. Something as simple as passing an acquaintance on the street and greeting them is met with short, uninterested notions of existence. The weird times we’re in has made people even weirder, and not in a good way. This isn’t the part of the emotional spectrum I’d want to sustain on a day to day basis. Due to the circumstances we’re in, it’s an unfortunate constant. Working ourselves out of such levels of negativity is difficult on our own.

“Faster alone, further together.”

I started to notice how important it was to maintain interaction with people. I mean, previously I was working six days a week. I’ve had PLENTY of human interaction on a day to day basis. While it was draining, I enjoyed it. It’s a part of my job to enjoy interacting with people. As introverted as I inherently am, I realized how much I enjoy interaction. I mean, having gone to VLV at the peak of my blogging “career,” all I cared about was meeting people, developing rapport and relationships with them, and having a great time. Granted… those interactions were fueled by PBR and whiskey… BUT STILL… Those interactions were very important for me getting comfortable enough to consider barbering. And eight or so years later, I’d say it was impactful.

As the days I go by and I start interacting with more and more people, I couldn’t help but notice that some maintained a bit of normalcy by hanging out with friends (whether it be socially distanced or not.) But for the rest, I couldn’t help but see something… How draining it has been for them to maintain social interactions through a screen, and not have any real interaction with a person IN PERSON… There was definitely some social ineptitude developed over the lack of exposure to other human interactions. Granted, I don’t know how they are outside of the shop, but I can’t imagine the interactions being all too different outside of it. Overtime these socially inept individuals become more comfortable in the barbershop. Passing by they point out to whomever it is they’re accompanied by that this is their barbershop. They’re proud to point it out and start to build their own community by referring coworkers and friends to the shop. They unknowingly encompass a part of their lives around it. Whether it’s parting ways with someone before their haircut, or meeting someone after their haircut to get dinner and drinks, the barbershop became a pivoting point in their day. For something to be a pivoting point in my day, it has to be important.

But, does that answer the question: Are Barbershops Essential?

A bit more time goes by and people start coming to get back to the shop to regain some level of normalcy, I realized how much the barbershop is an essential business to the community it services. Not because of my own bias of wanting to work throughout this entire time, but for other people in my chair. For the community we service, to the individuals that heard about us on social media and wanted the experience while they were in town, or the individuals that travel from all over to be a part of our shop. We are absolutely an essential business. But why? Is it because of the way we cut hair? The adornments on the wall? The prices charged or the products sold? What is it? What makes the barbershop essential?

What I’ve deemed the barbershop’s most qualifying trait of being considered an “essential business” is what we offer to the individuals that sit in our chair. Haircut and product aside, we offer whatever it is they need. They need someone to confide in? Someone to shoot-the-shit with? Some time to decompress from work for however long, in order to reset their mindset and get back to it? Whatever it is they need, we offer it. We offer escapism. And escapism from all the non-sense going on all around us is definitely essential to the well being of the people coming to the barbershop.

What was just a simple T.V. trope has gotten it’s own show on HBO by Lebron James. Showcasing one aspect the barbershop has to offer besides haircuts: dialogue. I mean, if a barbershop was solely about getting a haircut, would there have been a show made about it? Absolutely not.

With us finally being able to open up our doors, patrons are now able to get that bit of time away from the confine of the walls of their homes that now has become work. To get a bit of quiet away from their families. To see someone that’s not on a screen but physically in front of them and have an actual conversation filled with agreements and disagreements. In one place we can offer so much that was lost throughout this year. After interacting with so many people, they too come to realize how important the visit to the barbershop really was to them. Whether it’s every week, or every five. They’ve realized how important it is to them to decompress from home/work. Not just decompress during their commute, but how important it was for them to decompress in the barbershop. The patron knows that whatever it is they have to say stays in the confines of the chair. To get away from the same conversation at home/work and actually create dialogue with someone? Does anyone know how much emotional relief that is? It’s incomparable to any other business out there.

Unfortunately, there aren’t a lot of shops that have built their business around rapport and community. And unfortunately, I get it. Certain business models are impossible to get out of. (This is a topic for another day!) But this shouldn’t deem the industry as a whole as “non-essential.” If people can now have alcohol delivered and get alcoholic drinks to go and drink them in public, they should be able to go to the barbershop for that small portion of the day to get a more viable and sustainable source of escapism. Even if the shop may not as invested in the patrons as ours is, it doesn’t mean the patrons don’t rely on them for a quick conversation to clear their headspace.

The true testament to my sentiment —that barbershops should be looked at as essential businesses— is the fact that barbershops have been the epicenter of the communities they service since the very beginning. It is one of the oldest trades around the world, and there’s more than enough reasons why. Regardless of style of shop it is, barbershops will always be around and the community it’s propagated will stand by and proclaim how their local barbershop is essential to them.

Product Review: Wahl Clipper Guards. Which are the best?

Hey everyone!

Glad to get back to reviewing some products! While I primarily reviewed hair styling products for the general consumer, I’ve since become a barber and have developed an understanding for such products from not just a consumer point of view, but also as a professional that needs to utilize various tools and implements. So from this point on, my reviews will be intended for not just for the general consumer or fellow barbers and hairstylists, but also for the individuals that have taken to cutting their own hair (or their friends) during these weird times. Hey, maybe it’s time for a career change? I won’t lie… After having shown a couple of my personal clients a few tutorial vids as to how to cut hair, they’ve been doing one hell of a job!

Full Disclosure: In this post are various Affiliate Marketing links that will allow me to earn a small compensation for qualified purchases. This does not only benefit me with a bit of added monetary security, but will also allow me to gauge my content for readers new and old. I thank you all for the support.

Starting off my new series of reviews will be a review for a product that a many people take for granted. After having bought several variations throughout the years, I’ve come to a conclusion as to what I look for with this type of product. What product am I referring to? In this post, I will be going over a few different types of clipper guards designed to work with Wahl Clippers!

The primary focus of this blog was Rockabilly leaning. With that comes the aspect of “traditional barbering” where you would typically see detachable blade clippers being utilized more than adjustable lever clippers with plastic guards. While that’s a perfectly fine way to cut hair, not everyone is accustomed to that methodology of hair cutting, nor should it be thought as being the only way to barber.

Plastic guards have been a staple for Wahl adjustable clippers. In fact, the majority of their clipper models already come with the Wahl Clipper Guard system. This review will not go in depth as to how to use the system, but more-so showing what I look for when it comes to these specific guards and why some are more favored than the other. If you would like an in-depth post about clipper guard systems, make sure to leave a comment so that I can make a post about it to help you out!

The standard clipper guards provided by Wahl for the clipper kits are a good starting point. Whether you’re cutting hair professionally or on the side, they work perfectly fine for getting your foot in the door. They provide sizes from 1/16th of an inch ( #0 typically the smallest guard produced by a majority of the clipper companies) all the way up to 1 inch (#8.) Having purchased several Wahl Clippers over the years, I keep these packs as back ups just in case I lose them or break them. I haven’t broken too many of these, but I sure as hell lost a bunch!

Standard Wahl 1/16th, 1/8th, and 3/16th clipper guards.

My main reason for not using these guards as my primary guard for barbering is because I’m (personally) not a fan of the way they clip onto the clipper. As I’ve said, they’re fine. But after extended use throughout the long days and submerging them in a quarts container. Too many times have I noticed stress marks on the clip that holds the guard against the heel of the clipper blade that has caused me to worry about breakage while cutting hair.

The 3/16th guard is notorious for becoming loose over time and slipping off while cutting. Most people have become used to holding onto the clip with their pointer finger resting on the clip. It’s a habit that I’ve since added to my array of barbering habits (both good and bad!) but I still wouldn’t rely on it. All it takes is one slip up and you’re done!

This level of flex in the plastic isn’t as pronounced in the heel clip, but it isn’t too far off!

This is especially important for those that have decided to cut their own hair at home that don’t have anyone to give them a helping hand. Since they are cutting their own hair, the angles are not the same as a barber, and the pressure applied from clipper to head is noticeably different. I mean, we do have the vantage point of being above or besides the patrons head while cutting. But applying the clipper at the wrong angle can result in added stress to the clip and cause it to slip off or break. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve jammed the clipper guard on the back of my head and had to pull my hand back to make sure the guard didn’t slip off and turn 5/8ths of an inch to mere millimeters! Don’t lie, you know the feeling!

For a set of standard Wahl Clipper guards, click here.

Foruntately for professionals and consumers, Wahl has listened and solved the issue and introduced a new version of their clipper guards. This time, with metal clips!

Wahl Premium 1/16th, 1/8th, and 3/16th clipper guard.

These are easily my favorite style of Wahl Clipper Guards. Why? Because they are secure as hell! I’ve personally never had a guard accidentally slip off on me during a haircut or intermittently. This added feature has given barbers and consumers alike the confidence to go through the haircut without the feeling of “what if.”

The nice thing about the metal clip at the end of the clipper guard is that it maintains tension against the heel of the clipper blade. Putting it on the clipper gives you an ever-so satisfying “click” that in itself should be an ASMR sound bit. Since it is a separate piece from the plastic clipper guard, you can bend the clip in to give it added tension to ensure security, without worrying about stress on the clip itself. I have yet to see any sign of wear of bending the clips, and don’t have any worry that it would even be a factor to consider. Of course, if you hamfist it into position, that’s on you!

Click here to get a set for yourself.

But is there any other ways to improve this clipper guard system? Well, some others have thought of doing so. But this time, with magnets! Other clipper companies have utilized magnetic clipper guards for a long while now. This is the first time we’ve got to experience them with Wahl clippers. But the question is… is it better?

If I had it my way, I would love to have nothing but magnets used to secure clipper guards to the clippers. I always felt that magnets felt the most secure method of securing a clipper guard to a clipper and have only had once individual guard have a magnet fall out (which was easy to pop back in and hasn’t fallen out since.) While this is a step in the right direction for this type of clipper, I can’t say it’s perfect and without it’s flaws. And unfortunately, the flaws right now are pretty noticeable.

Once thing I’ve noticed right off the bat is the plastic. The plastic used on these magnetic guards are extremely stiff and feel very brittle. Unlike the Wahl guards that come with the clippers, these are very stiff and hold shape well. I’ve opened up plenty of guards that came with Wahl Clippers and had many of them warped and bent out of shape due to being compressed in the box (not the worst thing to happen but noticeable.) These guards don’t feel like there would be any flex to them, which isn’t exactly bad! But I can’t help but feel that as soon as I see that one stress mark, it’s only a matter of time until the teeth shear right off.

Third Party magnetic 1/16th, 1/8th, and 3/16th clipper guard

Very subtle flex in the teeth. This can be both very good and very bad!

Another issue I have with them is that they don’t retain proper tension against the heel of the blade. This means that there is wiggle room pushing the guard back and forth against the cutting blade of the clipper. This is huge! Because there’s a big difference between 1mm and 5mm! As always, you can put your finger against the heel of the guard to add some pressure to it, but why should you?

Single magnet isn’t the most secure.

If you’d like to check out these third party magnetic clipper guards, click the link here to check them out.

The application of magnets is great. But these use some extremely strong magnets (which you would think is ideal) but pulling one guard out of the rack often means you’re pulling out an additional guard or two! At the very least this means that it won’t be sliding off of the clipper blade any time soon. Sliding from front to back? Yes. But sliding right off? I think not! While I like the innovation of these guards, I wouldn’t rush out to get them right away. Until the design is a bit more refined and they is no more wiggle room, then I would suggest sticking with the regular guards that typically come with the clippers or the refined design with the added metal clip for that added security!

When it comes down to it, I feel that the refined design of the Wahl Clipper Guards with the added clip are the way to go. Not only do they stay secure on the clipper, they also run true. Meaning, a 1/8th guard that is 3mm will stay 3mm and not 3mm +/-! So if I were to suggest which is the best well rounded clipper guard for the Wahl clipper, whether you’re cutting professionally or on the side, (or simply on yourself!) I’d go with the newer guards. They’re great and I haven’t had to replace my first set over the last two or so years. But if you’re comfortable with using your finger to add pressure for the magnetic guards to ensure no wiggle, they’re worth checking out. Because lets be real: barbers love getting new things to cut with!

All clipper guards mentioned above will fit not only just Wahl Cordless Seniors (pictured) but other Wahl Clippers for both professional and personal use. I will inlclude links to help you pick which clippers may suit your needs.

Wahl Corded Clipper with hair cutting kit.

Wahl Cordless Senior.

Wahl Cordless Magic Clip.

Wahl Corded 5 Star Legend and Hero Trimmer set.

Until the next time,

Pomp Hard!

The Return of The Rebel Rouser 2020…

BOOM!

What’s going on folks! Long time no pomp! Well, especially for me, it’s been a number of YEARS since I’ve done my own pompadour! Let alone maintained a haircut that allows me to rock one. Well, I mean… 2020… go figure…

As some of you may (or may not) have seen, I’ve been trying my hand at getting back to a flow on YouTube. So far, so ok… Could be better, but that’ll come with time and repetition. But I can’t lie, it’s been fun scratching the surface of rebuilding an online presence, especially with the way the internet and social media has evolved since my days of it! With this motivation to get back into making YouTube videos, there’s also motivation to get back into blogging and doing reviews. That said, I want to let everyone know what direction I plan on taking this platform and YouTube from this point on. Head over to my YouTube Channel to get the breakdown of what I plan on doing with it. It’ll be a bit different than what you’re used to!

While the main intention for both this blog and YouTube was pomade reviews and Rockabilly, time has gone by and my lifestyle has changed. Not that neither nor aren’t of an interest to me, but they are (unfortunately) not my main focal point for my day-to-day. They are both impactful and meaningful aspects that have brought me to where I am today, but I can’t say that I’ll be able to blog about such subject matter to it’s entirety.

Pomade was the gateway drug to all of this Spoiler alert: I’ve never done a single drug a day in my life! Not that that’s important, but I might as well ride on that… Without having used pomade, The Rebel Rouser wouldn’t have been what it was. Granted, I didn’t capitalize on it the way that some other pomade bloggers did, but hey, it is what it is! But I believe that I have a connection to it that the rest don’t, and I hope that it’ll show as time progresses. Pomade progressed my affinity with doing my own hair to what has become my livelihood of being a full-time barber. But being a barber doesn’t mean I only cut pompadours and slather pomade in people’s hair!

Early on that’s what I was looking for, but I realized early on that it would corner me to a certain degree. While that isn’t a bad thing, as there are many fantastic barbers out there that have cornered that market, it isn’t something I wanted to be solely known for. Nor did I want to try to be a rockstar in traveling barber in the industry, or an educator for a particular company. So at that point, what did I find comfort in with barbering? Everything!

Let’s be honest here: I’m not the best barber. I’m far from it. I can, however, say I work with individuals that I would deem being some of the best barbers. So what would stop people from jumping my chair to another barbers chair? Skill set wise: NOTHING. But, just like what drew people to this website and what kept people following me through all of these years? While everyone has their own personal reasons, I’d like to think it’s my individual relationship with everyone I come in contact with. Not that I’m a saint by any means or am the most interesting person, but I value the interactions with all of the individuals I’ve encountered over the years. To me, that’s why I have developed the clientele I have throughout the years. Hopefully the haircut is good enough as well!

Not only do I develop a relationship and rapport with people in the barbershop, but I’ve also developed a relationship with my tools of the trade. This is what angle I will transition my reviews to. Having bought several kinds of clippers, combs, holders, and everything in between, I want to get back to reviewing products without a bias of a sponsorship. And let it be known: I never got a sponsorship through any company whose product I’ve reviewed. But I have built relationships through many of them, and continue to value those relationships to this day.

In the coming weeks, I plan on reviewing some clippers I’ve been using and certain accessories I’ve bought along the way. Some work and are fantastic and there are a shit ton that are complete garbage! Which ones? WAIT AND FIND OUT!

That’s the gist of it all! I do plan on getting back to reviewing and blogging. While it won’t be pomade, pompadour, and rockabilly focused, I hope that it’s still pertinent enough to keep you all entertained. It was fun as hell doing it back in the day, and I’m excited to get back into the flow to blog again!

Thank you all for the continued support throughout the years. Without any one of you, the motivation to blog again wouldn’t be as strong.

Until the next time,

POMP HARD!

Monday 10/13/2014: Hattori Hanzo presents Clipper Cutting w/ Cream The Barber.

A couple of weeks ago, my buddy Chris aka Cream The Barber presented the opportunity to assist him in his Hattori Hanzo Clipper Cutting class. While at one point the opportunity to have my own haircutting class presented itself, I truly felt that (at that moment in time) I wasn’t fit to teach anyone “my” techniques. But, that was a while ago! And helping out for a class wasn’t something I couldn’t do. So, it was done!

The class was held at a salon in San Jose called Stocks and Blondes, which oddly enough was a salon I was relatively familiar with. The salon was set up to accommodate 40 or so stylists/barbers. At first, I was skeptical that it would be that big of a class, but as we got to the salon, finding an empty seat wasn’t easy! Pretty sure there were a few people left standing.

GAMETIME!

Since we were dealing with more stylists than barbers, getting them hip to clipper lingo was important. Funny enough, a majority of these gals probably have been doing hair far longer than I have, but weren’t well versed in barber terminology for the hardware we use. But… that’s expected… Since it’s not something they do on a daily basis, it’s not surprising that their knowledge of clippers wasn’t the same as a barbers, especially since a majority of them were used to scissor-over-comb everything! But, with a crowd this eager to learn, it wasn’t difficult getting them up to speed.

After the theory portion of the class, it was time for the fun part… THE DEMO!

Chris has his way of fading, which is similar to many barbers, but is also different from a lot of barbers… yeah, get it?

Now: How does he fade? WELL…That’s something you’ll have to learn by attending one of his classes! Trust me, it’s well worth it. Why wouldn’t you invest in education for yourself?

The tools and implements he would use to perform the haircut.

What haircut would he demo? Of course, one popular one that you’ll see at least 3 of done in a shop: A zero fade with a sidepart/undercut/hardpart/combover/name that ‘do.

Full attendance ready to learn!

Demonstrating one of many ways to set a guideline.

Throughout the demo, questions were asked, and where I could shoot my feedback, I would. I also asked a few questions that the class wouldn’t have asked, but felt it were something that would benefit them. I mean, hey, I’m here to help in any way I could!

Can’t be a Hattori Hanzo class without using some Hattori Hanzos!

Quick before and after!

After the demo was finished, the salon cleared out and there were 6 stylists left for the hands-on learning portion of the class. Now I could help out a bit more!

For the most part, it went smoothly. Obviously, getting a hairstylist that is only comfortable doing scissor-over-comb to go as short as 000 was a mission! Hell, getting their clients to get comfortable with them going that short was a task in itself! But, with all learning experiences, it’s something you have to ease into. Definitely glad that a majority of them were up for the challenge. But the hard part? Was not having the right tools to perform the cuts!

Now, a lot of stylists usually have an Oster 76 with only a handful of blades, or the familiar Wahl Designers. But not everyone in the class had the tools on hand, or the right blade, or guards. So, for some of them, a bit of improvising was done. Others had to borrow blades from others. And getting them to be comfortable with handling the clippers was something that took a bit of getting used to. But hey, we’re here to learn.

The overall experience of teaching someone how to cut hair was a blast. It makes me kind of wish I were able to have my own classes! But, that’s something that’ll happen later down the line!

Having people willing to drop everything they know and do what you tell them to do made the experience that much easier. You’re usually met with rhetorical or backhanded questions whenever you try .to “teach” an existing stylist how to cut hair a certain way. It’s a given… You have people who have been doing something one way for several years, it’s not like you’ll be able to change their views on haircutting in one go. But, once you let them know that 2+1=3 as is 1+1+1=3, they’ll get it and become a little more welcoming to learning a new trick or two.

Big thanks again to Chris aka Cream The Barber for the opportunity! I can’t wait to be cutting in his shop, where it’ll be like having a barbering class all day long!

Well folks, I hope some of you are excited to see me posting again. Trying to work in the time to blog, work full-time and be a father is a daunting task! But hey, it has to be done!

So stay tuned for more barbering related posts, backlogged pomade reviews, and more!

Until the next time…

POMP HARD!!

Barber Shop Update. 10/10/14

As most of you know, I’ve seen been cutting hair down in the Peninsula (20 minutes south of San Francisco) previously in Redwood City and now (currently) in Belmont. And for some of my San Francisco based clients, it wasn’t feasible to make the trek down to see me… which is perfectly understandable. But for those clients that have stuck with me through the transitions: I appreciate y’all! But… there’s some good news to be had!

Starting October 21, I’ll be splitting my time from my Belmont location with the brand new barber shop in the Dogpatch district, Cream’s Barbershoppe, owned by none other than Chris Eliares. He was one of the barbers I worked with at the beginning stages of my career that helped me progress in this craft, so getting back into the swing of things alongside of him will only lead to more progression! I definitely can’t wait to be back up in San Francisco, cutting hair, no less!

For the time being, I will only be working on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with the potential of being opened on Mondays given the demand.

So, if you’re one of my previous clients from San Francisco or looking for a barber in the San Francisco Bay Area, book an appointment with me at the new location. There’s some fun to be had! Book an appointment with me via email:

therebelrouser@yahoo.com

Other methods of booking an appointment will be updated in a later date.

Hope to see y’all soon.

Tales From The Barber Shop.

Earlier this evening as I was checking out my last client, I saw a gentleman walk past the shop and straight towards the salon next door. As my client walks out, he walks up to the door and asks, “are you guys still opened?” I tell him that, ‘I’m still in the shop, so why not.’

He walks in wondering what sort of decision he made by going into the barber shop as opposed to the salon next door (which was already closed.)

I tell him the differences between a barber and a cosmetologist, and break down that it’s like a metal worker versus a wood worker. Both use similar techniques to manipulate the pieces they are working on, but do so in a trade-specific manner. He starts to “get” what I’m getting at, and I further hip him to what I feel going to a barber shop provides for a man.

As the conversation progresses, he tells me that he YELPed three places to get his hair down… All of which were salons (which he was used to.) One was no more than 3/4 a mile from his house, which was closed by 5. He rolls up to our block, where there are two salons which are separated no more than 120 feet…Both of which are closed well before their advertised “closing” hours. He was surprised that out of the 3 shops he checked out, 2 of which should have been opened by the time he got there and were well closed, that the shop that closed the earliest (our shop which typically closes at 3 on Saturdays) was opened and willing to take in someone this late in the day without hesitation or showing declination of the quality of service… I joke with him that I didn’t get to take a lunch and that I had a Gatorade to sustain me… Wish I had brought a new jug of water at the very least!

While I finish off the haircut with the straight razor on the neckline and having him double check my work, he gets up and is enthused at the fact that someone was working as long as I was and was willing to keep going. After the boss made a joke about us charging $40 (n jest of the salons within the area charging similar prices) he puts $40 on the counter and looks at my boss and say, “See, I spent $40 on a haircut, because you got someone willing to work well after every one is closed… You got enough to get yourself something other than a Gatorade for lunch!” Well… something very similar along those lines, haha.

Moral of this story? Is that being a barber is more than giving someone a dope haircut, a skin-tight fade, or being booked out for two weeks striaght. It’s more than just a straight razor finish or a can of pomade, or one of those faux-gentlemen courtesy consultations. I don’t act prim nor proper to get people to enjoy sitting in my chair. You won’t get a white towel slung over my left forearm like a waiter or me presenting an open seat like a magician. Cut the bullshit, because that’s as authentic as the next shop half-way across the country putting on that same act to rise up getting an extra $5 in your tip. You’re getting what it is I, as a man, as a barber can offer… and that’s genuine human interaction, advice, shared experiences, a good laugh at a few jokes, finished off with a firm handshake and the knowing that you’ll be able to have that same experience in 2-4 weeks. What other place can you really get that?

Current Stomping Grounds.

For any and all trying to get a haircut by me:

I’m no longer cutting hair in Redwood City. Best wishes for the shop, and if you continue to get your hair cut there and not by me — no hard feelings. It’s a cool shop and I wish them the best. But, if you’re trying to find out here I’m putting hair on the floor…

You can find me at Bushwackers Barber Shop in Belmont, 1024 Sixth Ave.

Email me or call the shop for an appointment!

TheRebelRouser@yahoo.com
(650) 592-9772 (shop number)

Hope to hear from y’all soon!

Pomp Hard.

One Year Later.

Last year, I got my barber’s license…

Haven’t looked back…

Pomp Hard.