The HandleBar Supply AMA, May 22nd, 2016

Hi all,


First I'd like to thank The HandleBar Supply for taking the time to do an AMA (ask me anything) with the Damn Fine Shave community. Gareth has said that he'll be popping in and out of the forum throughout the day to answer questions that we have for him.

Please keep in mind that the questions that are asked NEED to follow our site rules. Failure to follow our rules will result in the removal of your post(s).

Check out Gareth and the shaving supplies he stocks at: http://thehandlebarsupply.com/




Thanks,

Andrew

Gareth,

A few questions I had:

aside from shaving and owning a barber shop/wet shaving store, what do you like to do in your spare time? do you have any hobbies?

Gareth, of the products you sell, what are your most popular? Shaving Soaps? Colognes? Razors? Candles, etc.

Gareth,

A few questions I had:

aside from shaving and owning a barber shop/wet shaving store, what do you like to do in your spare time?  do you have any hobbies?

I'm an avid Disney fan, I've been an annual pass holder for Disneyland in Anaheim for over 12 years straight. I know that can sound a little odd for an adult with no children, but it's a really enjoyable activity my wife and I share together. I feel my wife and I are different than those other "Crazy Disney" people who do the same, but I guess that's just a matter of perspective.
As far as other interests, I'm hesitant to say I "enjoy" tattoos, because let's face it... They plain hurt. But, regardless I get tattooed fairly often as my best friend is an excellent artist and owns a shop around North Hollywood. I tend to gravitate more towards American Traditional style. I even have a wetshaving tattoo on my forearm of a shave brush and mug- which happens to be right next to my Steamboat Willy tattoo

Gareth, of the products you sell, what are your most popular?  Shaving Soaps? Colognes? Razors?  Candles, etc.

Actually, the most popular item I sell is something I sell very little of online. Hair pomade.
Since I own a barbershop as well, pomade is a huge seller for me. Folks like to continue having their hair look as good at home as it does when they leave my shop. The particular brand of pomade that sells the most in my shop is called Prospectors Gold Rush. It has a very old school smell, a bit powdery and reminds me of clubman a little bit.

Gareth,

A few questions I had:

aside from shaving and owning a barber shop/wet shaving store, what do you like to do in your spare time?  do you have any hobbies?

I'm an avid Disney fan, I've been an annual pass holder for Disneyland in Anaheim for over 12 years straight. I know that can sound a little odd for an adult with no children, but it's a really enjoyable activity my wife and I share together. I feel my wife and I are different than those other "Crazy Disney" people who do the same, but I guess that's just a matter of perspective.
As far as other interests, I'm hesitant to say I "enjoy" tattoos, because let's face it... They plain hurt. But, regardless I get tattooed fairly often as my best friend is an excellent artist and owns a shop around North Hollywood. I tend to gravitate more towards American Traditional style. I even have a wetshaving tattoo on my forearm of a shave brush and mug- which happens to be right next to my Steamboat Willy tattoo

Thanks for the replies.

I have 9 tattoos myself...

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Gareth,

A few questions I had:

aside from shaving and owning a barber shop/wet shaving store, what do you like to do in your spare time?  do you have any hobbies?

I'm an avid Disney fan, I've been an annual pass holder for Disneyland in Anaheim for over 12 years straight. I know that can sound a little odd for an adult with no children, but it's a really enjoyable activity my wife and I share together. I feel my wife and I are different than those other "Crazy Disney" people who do the same, but I guess that's just a matter of perspective.
As far as other interests, I'm hesitant to say I "enjoy" tattoos, because let's face it... They plain hurt. But, regardless I get tattooed fairly often as my best friend is an excellent artist and owns a shop around North Hollywood. I tend to gravitate more towards American Traditional style. I even have a wetshaving tattoo on my forearm of a shave brush and mug- which happens to be right next to my Steamboat Willy tattoo

Which is your favorite character?

Gareth,

A few questions I had:

aside from shaving and owning a barber shop/wet shaving store, what do you like to do in your spare time?  do you have any hobbies?

I'm an avid Disney fan, I've been an annual pass holder for Disneyland in Anaheim for over 12 years straight. I know that can sound a little odd for an adult with no children, but it's a really enjoyable activity my wife and I share together. I feel my wife and I are different than those other "Crazy Disney" people who do the same, but I guess that's just a matter of perspective.
As far as other interests, I'm hesitant to say I "enjoy" tattoos, because let's face it... They plain hurt. But, regardless I get tattooed fairly often as my best friend is an excellent artist and owns a shop around North Hollywood. I tend to gravitate more towards American Traditional style. I even have a wetshaving tattoo on my forearm of a shave brush and mug- which happens to be right next to my Steamboat Willy tattoo

Which is your favorite character?

I don't really have a favorite honestly. I have a few favorite movies. But if I had to choose... It would probably Mr. Fredrickson from UP, or Wall-E.

The answer to these questions are subjective, so it strictly depends on your personal views.

Q1., If you were a man looking for a straight razor shave and walked into a barbershop, and had to choose between 2 equally skilled barbers, (all things being equal), and you had to choose between a male and a female barber, whose seat would you choose? The male or the female?

Q2., Considering your answer to question one, as an employer, and considering your clientele, how would you choose between 2 equally skilled barbers for a straight razor shave position, one female, and one male, when you only have one position to fill?

I know these are hard questions with no "right" answer. I do appreciate in advance your answer.

For background, I have seen higher-end shave shops promote the skills of their barbers, some are male, some are female. I have also seen consumers (males of course) cast their opinion as to which they would choose and why. This presents an interesting quandary, and am interested in your views from your perspective.

How do you decide what to carry and what not to carry in the store and online?

What's your normal setup at home?