Named mine Kevin and legit got upset when he went dormant last month. Now I'm out here whispering pep talks to a jar of flour and water like it's a moody houseplant.

Actually, dull blades don't mean trust issues. Most barbers keep multiple sets and one might just need a quick service. The real red flag is when a client brings their own tools and expects the barber to use them. That cape guy sounds like he was more control than luck. A barber's clippers should be his own business, and anyone else's gear is probably a hygiene problem. Plus, a floral 70s cape that's stained? That's not luck, that's a biohazard. People are weird about rituals, but there's a line between superstition and just being a hassle.

Honestly, that "looked fine from the ground" part is what gets me every time. From the street, you see a solid cap, but up close it's basically dust holding the shape. Did you find any water staining on the flue tiles behind the crown, or was it just the crack that tipped you off? I've seen those hairline ones hide a ton of moisture that wicked down into the brick, and then you're not just rebuilding the crown, you're repointing half the stack. Curious if the cast-in-place kit handled the overhang okay, or if you had to form it up twice to get the drip edge right.

Tried a local shop that just takes cash, zero drama. Never looked back.

Trusting my nose got me food poisoning from a gas station burrito once.