Get Custom

There are tons of clippers out there that can be made custom, modified, or purchased already pimped out. I don't really see these clippers as ones to be used everyday. But if you are doing a hair show, hair battle, or something along those lines these tools would be eye catching, and cool to pull out of your arsenal. You can check out several different types of Andis clippers at www.freshcutcustoms.com
There is also limited edition or collaborations clippers out there for purchase such as the MHI custom Wahl clippers with Paul Frond Graphics pictured below. I haven't used these clippers, but from the research I have done they're comparable to the Wahl Seniors. The prices on the Custom Andis clippers at Fresh Cuts started around $250.00 and the MHI Custom Wahls are $200.00. You can find tons of custom accesories for all clipper makes and models. So get out there and upgrade your clippers.

My Choice for 2012 "Suavecito Pomade"

I have been using this pomade for the last year at the shop. I can't keep it on the shelves either. Suavecito is a small company out of California and there products are made in the USA. The pomade is 4oz instead of the standard 3oz jars that most brands package the products in. I enjoy using this product because of a few reasons. It is water soluble, so it will wash out in the shower at the end of the day. It's not petroleum based so you don't get that oily, waxy, greasy build up. I also like the smell of Suavecito, it's got a manly, mature smell.
Suavecito also has some cool packaging as well. Marketed towards the greaser, rock-a-billy, bad ass slick back hair this product also works amazing on short haircuts for that shine and wet look. Grips like a light weight wax, and holds all day long. You can add a little water to it through out the day to get that wet shine to come back in full effect. At a cost of $10.00 at most stores that carry this product. As far as I know Chop Shop Hair Studio is the only place in Oregon to get this product as of now or on-line at www.suavecitopomade.com.

The Wahl Detailers

So here is my take on the Wahl Detailers. Hands down the best trimmers I have used. Once the blade is adjusted just right these trimmers are nice. Crisp lines, amazing line-ups, and great for design work, they cut the hair sharp, and easy to do detailed stuff with "Hint the name Detailers".
So here is the down fall for these trimmers. The outer case is plastic, and the pegs that extend out of the case are plastic as well. These pegs are where the upper screws go into the bottom case and hold the blade on. There plastic and strip out and crack. I have had 3 pair over the last 3 years and have had this same issue with all of them. Each set lasted about a year.
So there is the good and the bad. Amazing trimmers at a good price, and a shitty plastic housing and breaks. So try them out and let me no what you think. They are available at Sally's Beauty Supply, Mid K Beauty or On-Line at many different barber supply shops.

IDENTITY ORIGINALS CLOTHING

"Filthy Fresh On The Daily"
My boy "Fooks" started up this clothing line called Identity Originals. These shirts are good quality, tag-less, and filthy fresh. You can cop yours at The Chop Shop, or online at idoriginals.bigcartel.com. You can also check out theidoriginals.com for other clothing offers, and all the Gold Medal Music artist like Sunn ED, Young Diffy, and Steve Smooth.

Whats Your Style

Do you no how you want your hair cut when you go into a shop? Do you bring pictures, or suggest someone famous and say I want mine like that? Well truth is most people don't. Most people have a general idea of what they want or what they're used to. You're not going to get a amazing haircut at a place that has to get you out the door in 9 minutes or less. You should discuss your haircut with the Barber/Stylist. Things like the length you want it to be. How you style it. What products you use in it or should use to achieve the style your looking for. Also bring up what you liked on your last cut and what you would change. It is our jobs as Barbers/Stylist to make sure you are satisfied as a client.

Remember, we may work magic with our hands and be amazing with clippers and shears, but we cannot read minds. So please speak up and let us knwo how we can serve you better. There are lots of styles out there from Bald Heads, Shags, Faux Hawks, Tapers, Fades, Military Cuts, Business Cuts, or your own haircut that you create yourself.

In The Barbers Chair

Here is a Local story I came across I found kind of interesting. What do you talk about when your in the Barbers chair?

What men talk about in the barber chair has changed little over time.

“I’ve been cutting hair for close to thirty years,” said Joe, the barber, “and the two favorite topics haven’t changed. It’s still sports and politics. I used to be okay with talking politics but not anymore. Too much controversy. In comparison, sports are safe.”

Joe, who really exists and cuts hair south of Portland, said, “Talk is seasonal. Football season it’s football, basketball season is basketball talk, and baseball, the Mariners a little, but not so much. This summer has surprised me. It’s all about the Timbers.”

I asked him why he was surprised.

“Nobody used to talk soccer around here. Now they do.”

So what changed?

“That puzzled me a bit. We got a professional team, sure, but what I think it is folks still go to the local media for their local sports. ESPN doesn’t pay much attention west of Ohio State. Timbers were the big news around here this summer. Lot of people, at least 18,627, went to each game, they were on TV a lot, and they didn’t suck. People noticed.”

“Good for me and Oregon Sports News they do,” I said. “Anybody talking about college football yet?” I asked.

“Oh, yeah. Big change from say fifteen, twenty years ago. Before 1990 or so there wasn’t much to talk about as far as the Ducks and Beavers. People want to talk about a winner. Not just because they win, but because they’re exciting. About the only thing I remember from those days is one of my favorite stories. A customer told me about a friend who had been a professor at Oregon State from 1955 to when he retired in 1987. In all those years he never missed a home football game. Any idea how many losses he saw? I don’t, but it’s got to be some kind of record. As faculty, I sure as hell hope he didn’t have to pay.”

I asked if this guy was still around thinking there would be no end of great – albeit sad – stories.

“My customer is, but his friend died ten, fifteen years ago. Think of all the changes in football he saw. Single wing, full house, winged T, and aside from Tommy Prothroe’s single wing and a few good years for Dee Andros and his fullbacks, not much to cheer about. Not the case anymore. Me and my customers are grateful.”

What are your customers saying?

“Maybe it’s preseason jitters for Duck fans. I’m hearing that it’s finally sunk in that last year was a special season. You gotta be more than good to win twelve in a row. It takes luck and the schedule. Last year Ducks got the second best team in the conference in Eugene and the worst SC team in years down there. Might not have beat Stanford in Palo Alto like they’ll have to do this year.”

Are people pulling their expectations?

“We’re going to find out real soon how good they are. People are excited.”

How about the Beavers?

“Sort of lost in the shuffle. People are tired of their slow starts. Ought to walk through their opener, but then it’s Wisconsin back there. If they lose by forty, even thirty, and the Ducks win, don’t worry about the traffic to Corvallis on Saturdays.”

Many thanks, Joe. See you next month.

Note from your author: In the upcoming weeks I’m going to be profiling the best par 3, par 4, and par 5 on local public golf courses. Local means from Tri Mountain to the north, the OGA in Tukwila to the south, from Quail Valley in Banks to the west and Boring to the east. Cast your vote for the best of each length. If you have one you hate let me know about that, too.

Ken Byers

Oregon Sports News Writer

Holly Days in Down Town Hillsboro

Dec 03 A Visit with Santa 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Ho, ho, ho - Santa Claus has made the long journey from the North Pole to the Civic Center lobby just in time to share his festive spirit. Come enjoy special holiday music while you wait to tell Santa what you want for Christmas. Bring the whole family to participate in Hillsboro Holly Days produced by the Hillsboro Downtown Association (HDA). Join Santa for the much anticipated tree lighting ceremony and watch as the tree brightens up Main Street and illuminates the city throughout the holiday season. This is a free event, no registration is necessary.



From 1-6 pm enjoy a special winter Hillsboro Holly Days Marketplace featuring artists, crafters, local processed foods and drinks, growers, farmers, hot food. Each booth will be topped with holiday decorations and lights.



Activities scheduled throughout the Civic Center Plaza (150 E. Main St, 97123) and downtown Hillsboro. Contact Iris Smith at (503) 615.3410 or iriss@ci.hillsboro.or.us.


The Chop Shop will be open for this event giving out free candy canes and gifts. We will also be running Gift Certificates for the Holidays at 25% off on this day. Stop by and check out all the activities.