Checkout the trailer for our new film East Meets West: Syndicate Barber Shop, South Korea and Japan. We had a blast meeting these amazing international barbers . These fine Gents are also on the cover the Traditional Barber Journal vol. I, issue II.
Thank you Tim and Chris, owners of Syndicate Barber Shop in Long Beach, CA for once again opening your house to us.
Stay tuned for the full film.
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Our good friend Toshiyuki Abe from Kawasaki, Japan is building a legacy that challenges
me to rethink my daily actions and their long term consequences. A little background on the Abe family, Toshiyuki is a first generation barber and his sons are second generation barbers (pictured right and bottom left)!
The importance of passing on family values and the ancient profession of barbering has been successful. People have been doing that for thousands of years and to see a prime example of that is admirable.
For generations barbers have passed on their profession without social media, “barber battles”, trophies, world-wide tours, or a “world-famous” title because there is a seriousness about life and the profession that has outlasted all fads. The lifestyle and work ethic supersedes the popular culture that reduces it to a “game” or “hustle”.
As men we must think about our actions and the legacy we are creating because no one will live forever but our legacy will. Social media “likes” and viral postings will only last but a moment but the memory of who and what you are is timeless.
Building a legacy will take time and effort but the end result is well worth it. If not now, when?
Gents,
Our good friend Jimmy from Shiner Gold Pomade sent us a special edition collaboration
can with Gonzo Original Supply from Malaysia. This can is highly sought after because Jimmy not only changed the graphics but also added a few special ingredients to an already fantastic pomade.
To compliment the new graphics the tin is gold! The fragrance has also been changed for this collaboration with the sweet smell of ginger and blood orange.
Snatch up a few cans while they last. Awesome collaboration Jimmy and Gonzo!
Mr. M
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2016 Gentlemen's Avenue The pomade world is as diverse as the products but what separates the men from the 
boys is reputation and product quality. One of the best examples of these traits is Jimmy Allen the creator and founder of Shiner Gold Pomade from Phoenix, Arizona.
We were fortunate to interview Jimmy at Syndicate Barber Shop in Long Beach, CA who graciously opened their doors to us. Great guys in a great shop.
Enjoy the first episode of Pomade Profiles. If you would like to be featured in a future episode please email us GAFilms@GentlemensAvenue.com
Music by The Delta Bombers, “Wolf” http://www.thedeltabombers.com/
https://www.instagram.com/syndicatebarbershop/
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Looking at old barber photographs is fascinating because you get to view moments in time that will
never be repeated in the ancient profession of barbering. Or does history repeat itself?
I enjoy writing and filming anything manly and barbering is a bastion for scoundrels and gentlemen alike. Whether the barber is 20 years old straight out of barber college or the 25 year veteran both have a tradition that stretches back several millennia.
Barbering can be best viewed as a continuum because the profession remains unbroken. So when I learned about an 89 and 75 year young barbers that work in some really cool shops my interest was peaked. Immediately the spark was ignited and I knew we should capture their lives in barbering on film to preserve this great profession.
Moreover, while filming I realized that these fine gentlemen have not only been shop owners but also fathers, husbands that have experienced success, war, addiction, loss, the Great Barber Decline, 
failure, revival, and life in barbering.
From their own words you will hear their unique and eventful stories that shaped them into the men they are today and their scared profession of barbering that gives them purpose every single day and keeps them young.
You will never view barbering the same again. Watch the trailer here.
Presented by GentlemensAvenue.com, Donnie Hawley, & Layrite
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Recently Donnie Hawley traveled to Brazil for Fashion Week and to launch Layrite. Not 
only did he take his cowboy boots, luggage, product, promo materials but also The Avenue Men’s Magazine and not just one copy but a boat load (pictured right)! I began to wonder how a barber from Southern California could travel around the world and impact several industries and inspiring others along the way.
In a day and age where social media dominates and validates “popularity” it almost seems impossible to build a world-wide business the old-fashion way, one interaction at time. Keep in mind, when Donnie started there was no Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or any other social media. No one was able to “share” “like” or “tweet” about him but his name is known worldwide for a style of barbering that 
revolutionized the world of traditional barbering. Yes, other tattooed barbers existed but none would achieve the level of success and notoriety of Donnie.
Donnie’s travels began in 2004 and have taken him and his barbering tradition to Spain, Germany, Japan (pictured below with Mid-Century Barber Shop), Ireland, UK, Australia, Canada, Brazil, and Holland to name a few. People the world over have welcomed him and the traditional barber style that is distinctly Hawlewoods.
Before barbering became popular, there was Donnie Hawley. Before there were more pomades than you can shake a stick to, there was Layrite. It may be hard to believe that barbers didn’t always have tattoos and not every shop looked like a 1940’s time capsule 
but barber history does in fact reflect that truth.
From all the interaction I have had with barbers and men from around the world it is obvious that men’s style and barbering has benefited tremendously from Donnie and Layrite. Every relationship was built the old-fashion way, one handshake and visit at a time.
Mr. M
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With so many grooming products coming on the market the all natural and health conscious products are taking a different road with natural ingredients and scents. We are excited to see products that are concerned with hair, skin and grooming
wellness. Another admirable feat is not found in a beaker or special machine because these products are “hand made”.
The beard oil came in a 1 ounce bottle with a cedar fern scent but is also available in sultans spice and pine forest. The oil contains no chemicals and is designed to “stimulate the skin’s natural oils to trap moisture, treat split ends, make beards shiny and soft, and reduce dandruff.” The beard oil contains many essential oils to maximize beard health; jojoba oil, argan oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, and grapeseed oil.
The mustache wax came in a pine forest scent but is also available in sultans spice and cedar fern. The wax is the strongest we have 
encountered and the wax I use on a daily basis, “chemical-free, beeswax-based mustache pomade offers superior styling capability.Blended hair-nourishing oils prevent dry, brittle whiskers.Special ingredients like real pine sap and carnauba wax offer a stronger hold.” A few other ingredients are shea butter, beeswax, lanolin, and olive oil. Surprisingly the wax washes out and one major feature, besides the extra strong hold, if your stache happens to get in your drink it does not taste like chemicals!
If your hands take a beating from working on the chain gang the chap cream is the solution for dry and damaged
skin. The ingredients consist of “no scents, no petroleum, no chemicals, nothing to get in the way of this healing, skin protecting barrier. Just natural ingredients you can recognize and pronounce: beeswax, veggie glycerin, shea butter, vitamin E, coconut oil” plus lanolin and avocado oil. The cream also works well on lips.
Last but not least, the hair pomade. This product can revive a lost tradition among grooming 
products, “we love vintage barbershop recipes. Back in the day, when barbers used to give hot towel shaves using straight razors and shaving brushes, they’d make their own potions and pomades. We’ve bought up all the hundred-year-old barber manuals we could find in order to unearth those old secrets. What we came up with is a modernized version of an all-natural hair styling product (without the beef tallow, thank you very much), inspired by the old barber tradition. Instead of artificial fragrances, chemicals and petroleum, your hair will smell pleasantly of sweet beeswax, nut butters and natural oils.” The devotion and reverence to barbering past resulted in a modern formulation to meet all expectations for those who desire traditional hairstyles. The pomade does not wash out completely but it is a vast improvement to the dry brittle aftermath of most water-based pomades.
The combination of all these great products from Craft Culture Co. are testaments that
chemicals in grooming products should not reign but health and quality should be the foundation. I had no problem styling an impressive Rollie Fingers-esque handlebar mustache and solid slick back. The products are not designed to replicate gel or hairspray but are traditional-modern improvements to maximize men’s grooming health. Great work Jon!
Mr. M
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On November 1, 2013 I met a gentleman at a Movember event in Visalia, CA that would 
spark a friendship that continues to this day. We hit it off so well the next day we traveled about 45 minutes east to visit his barber shop. The drive through Central California was enjoyable as we passed many farms that were a stark contrast to Southern California’s metropolis. It was a serene and tranquil drive with no traffic jams or crazy commuters. Farm land and groves dotted the landscape that extended to the horizon.
We traveled down a two lane highway on our way to Wild Bill’s Barber Shop &Shave Parlor in Lindsay, CA to meet owner Rick Loftin. The night before he told me about the towns economy and that he could not charge $20 for a haircut because many of the people either work on the farms or youngsters 
parents work in the fields. As we approached the community I pondered the packing houses that lined the street, a reminder of a time when agriculture ruled California’s economy.
After passing the packing houses we came to Honolulu street and the center of town. A community car show and BBQ was happening and my heart skipped a beat! The barber shop was packed with young and old alike. Rick greeted us with a huge smile and brotherly hug and quickly told us about his beloved shop. Everywhere we looked a story was quickly followed with, “that was my father’s…” “that came from my grandmas…” or my favorite, “we found that in a dumpster/barn”. The shop is named after Rick’s father 
who passed in 2006, who was known as Wild Bill.
One feature that really caught my attention was a wooden bar that measured about 12 feet in length. Rick explained that it was originally in the local watering hole and dated from the early 1900’s but was thrown away in a dumpster. Rick decided to rescue the historical gem, dug it out and cleaned it up. There were several school age boys sitting at the bar doing what appeared 
to be homework. The bar serves a dual purpose because the local kids hangout and use the shops Wifi as long as they are doing their homework!
Rick’s journey into barbering came to fruition by life’s circumstances steering him into his passion. According to Rick, “I started barbering in the late 1980’s in high school which were ‘back yard boogies.’ Football buddies and the homies would swing by for trims. I was not a licensed barber but that’s when I knew it was what I wanted to do.” Although Rick would eventually land a job with the city and started a family but it wasn’t until he was laid off that he was able to realize his dream of attending barber college.
The shop is a representation of everything that is important to Rick; family, vintage cars,
community, history and a vintage lifestyle. Rick also owns a few sweet classic cars and a proud member of the Viejitos Car Club. Not only does he posses a pleasant demeanor but also an amazing shop in an unlikely place. Small farm towns are pillars of our society because they produce much of our food. In these communities people work the land with the anticipation of having enough water to produce bountiful crops. It is this community that Rick cherishes and is proud to call home.
While some people may find paradise in a tropical environment there is a small farm town known as Lindsay, CA with a population of only 11,768 that contains a barbers paradise that is impacting the community and young men one haircut and shave at a time.
Wild Bill’s Barber Shop & Shave Parlor
Mr. M
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I set out to find the oldest straight razor strop maker in the U.S.A and I am honored to, in 
part, write about them. It was no easy feat because Google was short on leads so I employed my Grad school research determination to dig through forums and blogs to discover the Illinois Razor Strop Company founded in 1907. The goal was within reach but after more research I discovered there was no website or social media, I was frustrated. But I kept looking and found Fromm!
I contacted Fromm but wasn’t sure what the nature of their relationship was and Emmi Barrett was soon to provide me with all the missing links with extreme courtesy and professionalism that I discovered was a lasting trait of Illinois Razor Strop Co.
Here is the story told by Fromm:
In 1907, our founder James Simon started the Illinois Razor Strop Company. At that time, leather was crafted by hand in a Chicago warehouse to create razor stops that men depended upon to keep their straight razors sharp. After more than 100 years, we are the only razor strop manufacturer in the United States. 1907 offers a pristine straight razor to compliment these classic and quality razor strops.
In 1949, James Simon’s son, Edwin, joined the company and is soon dispatched to work in a tannery to learn about how leather strops are made. He returned to the Illinois Razor Strop Co. to continue to learn and grow the business. Once we expanded from barber supplies and added salon tools, the Illinois Razor Strop Co. was able to use Chicago’s rise as an industrial hub to connect nationally. As the company grew and added product 
categories, it began selling Fromm Shears-known for high quality German-made shears. Fromm quickly rose by offering bestselling products, and in 1984 the decision was made to rename the company to Fromm.
In recent years, there’s been a resurgence of appreciation and interest into the art of straight razor shaving and its health benefits. Razors with multiple blades directly contribute to razor burn and ingrown hairs. More blades mean more irritation. It’s time to abandon the cheap, fast dulling, mutli-blades and invest in a straight razor with unfaltering edge sharpness.
The 1907 Razor Strop is hand crafted with top grain cowhide and comes complete with sharpening canvas and swivel. Stropping should occur before every shave to align the edge of the blade for the straightest and sharpest clean edge. To strop, attach the 1907 Razor Strop against an anchored object (like a towel bar) and pull the other end with your hand. Make sure that the strop is tight.
We received the #206 model and right away you can feel and smell the crafted leather work. A firm leather side is complemented with the “Fine Weave Linen Finish” side. The 
swivel is solid and sturdy. One feature of the swivel that caught my attention is the “pin” used to swivel the strop looks like a nail that has been bent! This feature must be part of the original design in 1907 and a homage to tradition. The graphics on the strop are really exciting because not only is this strop made by the OLDEST straight razor strop company in the U.S.A but it is also made in the U.S.A! A reminder that you are not holding some low-grade start up product. The #206 straight razor strop is grade A++.
Men are in constant search for grooming products that are authentic and traditional, based upon the belief that quality and craftsmanship have transcended time and technology. The Illinois Razor Strop Co. fits the criteria and has not only existed for 107 years but is unwavering in their barber products and worthy of the finest barbershops or straight razor enthusiast. A statement that best encapsulates the Illinois Straight Razor Strop Co. is, “a heritage of authentic quality passed down by generations.”
Mr. M
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We are honored to have barber legend Donnie Hawley on our Fall 2014 cover. After an in-depth interview with Donnie we quickly realized there is, “A Thin Line Between Love And Hate” for the barbering legend. Read about Donnie’s life and impact on barbering and grooming products.
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