The Clip Guy

J. Everett Cromer
At The Kings Quarters
Ward, SC (Near Columbia)
864-445-3451
Cell 803-917-0370
jecbarber@hotmail.com
Call for location and appointments

by Azrieal Faust - KC

I started out with a head full of hair I had been growing for a little over seven years. Do to a stress relieving ride on my bobber I had to "trim" a healthy sailors knot off the end leaving only about 13". I've been a gear-head all my life so the only natural choice when I decided to cut it all off was to go greasy. The decision was easier than most would think to cut it all off.

So on with the search to find a barber to man the blades and covert me from long haired biker to short and greasy gear-head. The search was going downhill at great speeds. Then all in a few smooth rather simple keystrokes I found SlickVille and instantly knew I was saved — there are others with the same affinity for the greasy culture for as far as you want to indulge yourself. I browsed the site, looking at the cool photos from all over the world. I found the barbershop directory and was lucky enough to have someone not to far away that I could put my full trust in, knowing that I would get exactly the cut I was expecting.

This was a big deal for me because I didn't want to get my hair cut by a new age amateur and have to wait until it grew back to find someone who knows how to handle the clippers. So I give Mr. Everett Cromer a call to set up an appointment. My call was placed on a Friday and sensing the excitement Everett was nice enough to cut me on his well-deserved leisure time, the weekend. So Saturday morning I packed some grease, some coin in my cuffed blue jeans, slap on a cote of shellac on my tattoos and hammered up the highway, fully intending to drive my stock 1957 Lincoln Capri, but the old girl just looked to peaceful in the garage to disturb.

Halfway up thanking the car gods I didn't because I hit a rainstorm Noah would identify with. Truckers lined the highway sides and only I was left for a good 15 miles creeping along driving by braille (highway reflectors in the center). After a 3-hour adventure through a rainstorm of biblical proportions, stuck in traffic for another hour with the people in other cars pointing and getting their kids to take a look I finally get to my destination.

I give Everett a courtesy call to let him know I was approaching the door. I was welcomed by Everett and we chatted for a bit as he studies my scalp, trying to come up with a plan of attack. Knowing full well the processes of an artist, being one myself, I just leave him study. As I sat in the chair studying my surroundings; in front of me sitting in an organized array are tins and jars of pomade, hair grease, a bottle of lucky tiger with a amber like hue projecting over everything as the suns rays peer through the nearby window.

As we chatted back and forth about life in general and my rather interesting past, he sprayed down my hair and made the first cut. Twelve inches of hair that took years to grow, gone in less than a second, just enough forlocks for love. As he continued to taper the back and sides my head feels lighter and like it has taken it's first breath in years. Periodically showing me the process and progress he's made like any good artist. Identifying with the process, not the medium per say, but the process was the same as I've done a thousand times before.

Too get the feel and idea of how to recreate the look he requested I comb it myself considering I will be doing it for now on. Teach a man to fish maybe? As we continued to chat and the cut was nearly complete, he added the Lucky Tiger from that amber hued bottle — the scent filling the room. Then added some of my own pomade to stiffen up the works — creating the cut I wanted perfectly with absolutely no remorse. We chatted a while longer and then I begin my j4ourney back.

I'm thoroughly happy with my cut and will continue to go back no matter where I'm located — it's worth the drive. Next time I will have to drive one of the sleds.

Great guy, glad I met him and would recommend his work to anyone. A very professional artist that loves what he does.

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