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Scumbassadors Tour 2016

August 22, 2016 By //  by The Beardsgaards

Hey, remember a while back when we mentioned that Blademaiden was going to be out of the shop for training? Yep, so that totally happened, and it was fucking epic.

20160722-Scumbassadors Tour-Day 1-005

And as far as the population of Chicago now knows (in certain pockets), this group of trainees were not a bunch of hopeful Reuzel Pomade educators, they were a band that happened to be called the #Scumbassadors.

They also sorta stole a limo. Sorta. You’re really going to need to keep reading, because there’s a sizable photo gallery…

A few months ago, Reuzel put out a call for anyone who wanted to become an educator for one of the finest pomade brands in the world to submit a video of us cutting and talking product.

So it seems 400 people did, and of all those, 20 of them were flown to Chicago to train with the biggest baddies in the world of barbering today – Leen and Bertus of Schorem Haarsnijder En Barbier, Nelis Barbier of The Old School, George Accattato, master educator and hair legend with Art+Science, American Crew, MensDept., Vidal Sassoon, Bumble and Bumble, Shu Uemura and Pivot Point International, and Becca May, educator extraordinaire.

Blademaiden, one of two who didn’t have to fly in for training, was somehow one of the 20 chosen to go through this rare barber boot camp, and learn up close and personal from the masters. Beardsmith even got to make it down a couple of nights to rabblerouse with the crew.

Not everyone made the final cut, but either way, the ladies and gents who went through this experience together will always remember it (or not, for parts, for some) as one of the best of their lives.

Most of their brains still hurt from all of the knowledge that got crammed in there. It was an absolute honor to stand with this crew of scumbags and learn from the best.

And, spoiler alert, Blademaiden can now officially be called a Scumbassador.

Day 1

Arrived late at night to Bertus welcoming us to Vegas. Nope, buddy. Pete of Pete’s Barbershop was there and skull chewing happened. Also many hugs.

Day 2

A sweltering train ride to Steven Papageorge Academy where Leen and Bertus told legendary stories, both professional and as far away from that as you can get, and we got to see our heroes in action from feet away.

Bertus’ model was even none other than Brian Busch, our resident Shop Artist, otherwise known as Blue Steel. Later there was a torrential rainstorm, Uber clusterfuck, delicious pig roast, weird bar times, and whatever happened with that pseudo-stolen limo.

Day 3

Our first cutting day, traversing the city with heavy tool boxes, searching out great coffee (Dark Matter and the school share a wall, so that worked out well). This was the day that we got knocked around good. Everyone felt like total noobs again under the watchful eye of the ginger Dutchman, Nasty Nelis.

Later, the group stickerbombed things and experienced the legendarily slow service of a tourist hotspot Chicago pizza institution, which Blademaiden probably should have warned them about.

Day 4

The 8 am coffee crew ventured to Wicker Park for some Wormhole, Blademaiden’s old favorite haunt. Then we had deuling demos from Becca May, George Accattato, and Nelis before doing some more cutting ourselves.

While on the first cutting day Blademaiden’s model didn’t have quite enough hair to do anything spectacular, this day brought an epic head of hair that allowed her to pull out a long trim pomp with fenders and a DA – a holy grail of classic barbering.

The day ended with pockets of hopeful Scumbassadors nervously preparing for teach backs the next day. We all knew we could cut, but could we talk? The next day we would find out.

Day 5

Not many photos from the last full day, but teach backs were a gauntlet, and dinner was freaking spectacular.

Day 6

Actual last day of listening to the legendary Laurence Hegarty speak about the industry, product and business for what seemed far too short a time, many hugs were exchanged again as the Scumbassadors said goodbye to each other, hopefully not for the last time. Blademaiden also ran into one of her favorite delightfully eccentric former city clients.

It was such an incredible honor to even be included with this group, much less to be accepted as an official Scumbassador, and Blademaiden hopes to do Reuzel proud in her educational adventures.

But first, she’ll be paying it forward to all the barbers of Beardsgaard. Which means even better hair for you. Might want to go ahead and make your appointment now.

Filed Under: Beyond the Barbershop, Blog, From the Chair Tagged With: Barbers, Behind the Scenes, Education, Haircut, Present, Scumbassadors, Shop News

About The Beardsgaards

The Beardsgaards are a pair of mom-and-pop barber nerds with a shared obsession with perfection. We built this old school barbershop to feel like home to everyone who enters beneath the Elvish script above our door. If we and the Gaardian army can give you a better handle on your grooming routine, all the better.

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PHONE: ( 630 ) 454 - 4820

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The time is nigh, Gaardians. The Realm is coming t The time is nigh, Gaardians. The Realm is coming to you across the ether via our new Twitch channel! Starting tomorrow evening (January 23) at 7:00 pm CST. Join us at www.twitch.tv/beardsgaardbarbers to watch the official Beardsgaard D&D game begin. 

With a mix of staff and shop friends, we will explore the reaches of The Realm, battle monsters, and save...things? Complete with doses of awkward. Be-HOLD-er on to your butts. It's going to be a wild ride!
It’s official everyone! Beard trims are back and It’s official everyone! Beard trims are back and open for booking. While we know it’s been months and everyone is looking a bit scruffy please be patient as we try and squeeze all the beard trims we can into the schedule. We’d also like to thank everyone who’s been diligent with keeping our shop a safe and healthy environment. 
If you’re already booked in the schedule we can’t guarantee we can add a beard trim to your service but we can definitely try booking you for a different time to get that beard in. 
{Link to book in bio}
Our news friends at @nbcchicago popped in for some Our news friends at @nbcchicago popped in for some street interviews. You can see what our clients and barbers said at 4pm and 6pm today!
We were deeply saddened by the news of Christopher We were deeply saddened by the news of Christopher Tolkien passing a year ago, and still are to this day. Our love of his father and Lord of the Rings is ever present here at Beardsgaard. So tonight we, and hopefully the rest of you, will take a moment to remember one of the greatest authors of all time, his son, and the impact the Tolkien family has had on our lives. 
“The world is indeed full of peril, and in it there are many dark places; but still there is much that is fair, and though in all lands love is now mingled with grief, it grows perhaps the greater.”
-J.R.R. Tolkien
While we appreciate all the self sufficient kids t While we appreciate all the self sufficient kids that come into the shop, we still need an adult with them to sign our liability waiver. We know it’s a bit of a pain but it’s really to appease Phydeoux the shop dragon. He has a hunger for children and waivers, and we’d rather feed him waivers.
You don’t have to wear it after your cut, but do You don’t have to wear it after your cut, but don’t forget your hat. It’s cold outside.
The product goblin (and the rest of us) think @soa The product goblin (and the rest of us) think @soapdistillery body oils smell good enough to drink. We promise the oils will make you feel much better if you put them on your outside instead of your inside though.
Well hello to those with wild beards who heard whi Well hello to those with wild beards who heard whispers of moving out of Tier 3 Mitigation! Please pause, we're not there yet. 

This does not apply to the entire state of Illinois, only certain regions. As of now, we are still in Tier 3. We will announce when we have moved to Tier 2 on all of our social media channels as well as our email list, so sit tight until then!

Because knowledge is power, you also can go to http://dph.illinois.gov/regionmetrics?regionID=8 at any time and look at Region 8, which contains Kane County. As of this posting, we are not meeting the metric on hospital bed availability. 

We promise, we want to get everything under your mask looking and feeling great, but we cannot do that until it's safe. Thank you for understanding, and please keep an eye out here, on Instagram or sign up for our email list at the bottom of www.beardsgaardbarbers.com to get updates.
And you? Do you like the barber shop? We like you. And you? Do you like the barber shop? We like you.
We may specialize in short, traditionally masculin We may specialize in short, traditionally masculine haircuts, but Beardsgaard has always been a place for everyone; girls, guys, gays, theys - all identities and orientations find acceptance and a barbershop home here. If, however, you are looking for the luscious salon locks that are far less in our barberly skill set, we are the lucky next door neighbors of the incredible @coasthairsalon
Between the two of us, we have heads of every sort covered in spectacular hair, and positive vibes.
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Our Little Slice of Valhalla

In historic downtown Batavia on Route 31 between 1st and Main

117 S Batavia Ave, Batavia, IL 60510

PHONE: ( 630 ) 454 - 4820

EMAIL: shop@beardsgaardbarbers.com

Appointment & Walk-Ins Both!

Parking

Loads of free parking here, both on the street in front of the shop, with an even more substantial parking lot in back.

Current Hours

Closed for Shop Lunch 2-3 pm weekdays, 1-2 pm Saturdays

• Monday - Friday 9 / 8 • Saturday 9 / 5

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