Str8 Edge BarberShop

Love the vibes in the barbershop. Highly recommend going here on a weekday morning to avoid a long wait

Giovanni (sp?) gave my son an amazing haircut! I think we just found his new barber, thank you!

The ownership really seems to care much about their business.

This place is the best and I wouldn’t go anywhere else. Thank you Chris for being super patient!

Still the best (Chris is always passionate about his work)… you always leave this place feeling like you can squat and bench another extra 20 pounds, just because you feel so damn fresh.

My son got a FANTASTIC cut and design from JR. The personal and friendly service, coupled with some mad skills with those clippers and razors, have guaranteed that we will be back again very soon. Many thanks to both JR and Chris for making our first (but certainly not last) visit memorable!

First time at Str8 Edge and G hooked it up! Clean cut fades from guys that know their craft!

This review is regarding a nape undercut. I came in disappointed with my original cut and lotus design from a previous barber that day. Chris was more than accommodating to my needs. He listened to what I originally wanted in my design and help straighten out my edges and fixed my lotus design to more of a flower than a geometrical shape that I came in with. He made sure that I was okay with the shape and even drew on my head before shaving anything off. I can appreciate that 100% and came out a happy customer. I will definitely come back again. Everyone in the shop was really nice and gave really supportive feedback.

Wrote my original review in 2013… and I’ve been going here ever since.
Steve was my barber at another (cough cough) Walnut Creek barber for years. We lost touch and imagine my shock when I rolled in an he was there. His son owns the place and both of them keep the place busy.
It’s a popular place and for good reason. Some days you hit it and you’re in and out in an hour. some days… you are going to wait. And there is a reason. If you are looking to pop in and out with your hair looking jacked up, there are tons of places for that. If you want a cut that looks great now and 3 weeks from now… sit down, take it easy and wait for a real barber who knows how to cut hair.

For a man, getting a good haircut and beard trim is a never-​ending quest. My decades-​long quest ended a few months ago when I discovered the talents of the Amazing Brenda Gomez at Str8 Edge Barber Shop in Walnut Creek. No more fancy salons that charge $ 150 for a haircut for me.
Brenda’s eye for the latest look in men’s hair and beard fashion and her incredible attention to detail, will make your wife or significant other want to get right up into your face! If you are job hunting or interviewing she will transform you into the sharpest businessman (with edge) you can be. I credit her with helping me get not one, but TWO jobs with her talent. I think of her as my partner in my own visual appearance. My first impressions are always good because of her.
My wife — who is incredibly picky about how I look — totally approves of her work. She is very chill and patient too. I feel bad even telling you about this barber because it will be harder to get in to see her. But dudes, you owe it to yourselves to walk in and give Brenda a try!

This was my second time here and again, just like last time Brenda kicked ass!!! Once your inside this place, be prepared to laugh your ass off at how the barbers cap on Gio!!! Great place and very talented barbers! Had another great experience!!!

One of the worst haircuts I’ve ever received. I’m no haircut snob but wow, the barber didn’t follow my instructions which were simple, he ran a machine all over my head after I had asked him for a scissor cut, and then charged me for a scissor haircut in the end. I even complained and they did literally nothing about the awful job. Heading to a date tonight and not looking good. There are too many barbershop options in Walnut Creek to waste your time with this underwhelming dud.

You know after coming here like 4 times I can honestly say this is the best haircut I’ve gotten and I’ve gone to different barbers each time and they all do great jobs.

Hair is definitely personal. Either you walk in knowing exactly what you want done or how you like it and tell the barber, or you kind of hope they ‘know’ and will just get it done based on a brief conversation, your style when you walk through the door and how you’re dressed, or simply because they’re in the biz and have the ‘je né sais quoi’. I watched this video:
on Friday and immediately following I told myself I was going to find a barber and form that relationship, which led me to Str8 edge.
The reviews across most/​all Barbers in the area are across the board from Awesome to Terrible and quite fun to read, because you can sense the passion in each of them. I waited over an hour for the cut, but there is indeed something to be said about being in the room with Barbers and customers, taking in or being part of the conversation, getting a real sense of community and local flavor. All walks of life come through the door and you’re part of it, it’s a real brotherhood. It felt a little like «Sons of Anarchy» meets «Family Guy» meets «Top Chef». I loved it.
The music was across the board and at the end I believe they were blasting Old Michael Jackson. The place was edgy and had a true sense of camaraderie. They’re a busy shop and I could see why. I’ll likely be back, not right away I think, but will likely come full circle after I check out a few others so I can compare and contrast the experiences and ensure that I’ve found the force within.
Did I walk out with the ideal cut? It’s different than what I’m used to, quite a bit shorter than I normally like or get, but I walked in knowing this was a different approach from say an Aveda salon that I’ve been to many times before. Plus at $ 25, you can’t beat it. If it came with a Pliny or Anchor Steam, I’d be back in a heart beat… ha ha. If my hair grows back, then we’re in business And, although my barber spent a lot of time on the back and sides of my head, I didn’t walk out with ‘dragon’ or ‘GS Warriors’ symbol shaved into my head, oh well…;)
Cheers

Reply to Chris J’s comment on 12÷21÷15:
Regarding my delayed review: this was written the day I came back from getting my haircut fixed and noticed that wasn’t published until I logged on to this account from my computer. I saw your other Unilocal reviews and had initially thought about removing mine because I understand people/​businesses can make occasional mistakes and that maybe our interaction was just a simple failure in communication. This review wasn’t intended to be an insult; it was a reaction to our interactions (both on the chair and on the phone). For the most part, I’m understanding when it comes to these kinds of issues and usually give businesses the benefit of the doubt as it takes a lot for me to leave a 1-​star review– so please don’t mistake me for some hater or bully.
As I reflect on what happened around that time and your comment, I am reminded of how dismissive and short you were with me over the phone and the fact that you would alter this story reaffirms my earlier presumption about you. I DID know what I wanted and even recall showing you pictures of me with my past haircuts after you were confused about what I was describing to you. I remember this because these have been the same pictures that I’ve shown other barbers when I was overseas. After you had told me that my pictures were too blurry, I resorted to showing you a similar hairstyle from the Internet and you responded by saying that I didn’t have that type of hair.
During the haircut, you gave me an attitude when I told you that you took too much hair off the top. (which became roughly the length as my sides) After about 30 minutes in, I decided to use the camera on my phone because you had the chair facing away from the mirror the entire time and I wanted to check on my haircut. To say, «most barbers and stylists wouldn’t appreciate that» is a ridiculous claim because most barbers and hairstylists would’ve offered a mirror if they saw a customer trying to look at their hair. (Especially, after a customer explains to you that it wasn’t what they wanted) When you finished, my fade and lining were uneven, and I was too uncomfortable to say anything else because you gave me an attitude about what I said earlier, which is also something we argued about during our phone conversation.
I can also assure you that the haircut wasn’t «nerve racking» and it only became uncomfortable because of the attitude you were giving me. I’ve had my hair cut in foreign countries where I had to rely solely on pictures because of the language barriers and still managed to get what I wanted.
With that said, I believe my harsh review was based more on your poor attitude and less about the haircut. It was also written because of how hubristic and belittling you were after the transaction, which influenced my presumption on your lack of experience as a business owner. I’m not doubting that you’re a good person and a skilled barber, but I still believe this place was handed down to you. Arguing with a customer and trying to shut them up by offering a refund or free haircut just seems like a rookie move, in my opinion.

2 hour wait, somewhat decent cut. This place is nothing special, easily could have gotten the same fade and so-​so cut at any barber shop. I probably just had a bad barber, went with the owner who is the older gentleman in there, i would recommend one of the younger guys, they looked like they knew what they were doing.
note– if you go, try going in on a weekday if you can, or at least a Sunday. Saturdays are extremely busy

Worth the wait! You can go for a hair cut and a shave, walk out lookin right! I like the straight razor shave hot towel on your face! There not in a rush!

Here now I am sitting in the barbershop, but I am deciding to leave the shop. I had such a very bad impression as soon as I walked in. I asked him if I need to make a reservation or walk in are welcome. He started to make a fun of my question and answered do you want to stay over night !!!
He told me I should have asked for making appointment, not reservation.
He started to make a fun with his customer about me asking could I make a reservation, I should have said appointment.
I am deciding to walk away as I don’t like his attitude .
What I wrote is about older guy who I don’t know his name. The guy with tattoos looked friendlier.
I am editing my review after Chris the guy with tattoos emailed me back and he was sorry for what happened in his shop, to be honest it was not definitely his fault it was his co-worker’s rudeness, I am thanking Chris to his kind response to my reviewing wishing him all the best.
Still I would rather to spend 70 $ for my hair cut in San Francisco and be treated in a way I like.
All the best

PRETENTIOUS ASIAN ALERT: I’m an Asian male (*gasp* shocker!) with Asian male hair… which means it is thick as sin and about as unmanageable as a teenager working at your local DQ. Knowing this, I’m usually exceptionally skeptical of any stylist or barber when it comes to my hair. I mean, could you blame me when every fade or faux-​hawk I’ve ever had always results in a weird line in the fade, uneven & choppy snips, «texturing» that makes my dome look like the wheat fields of Omaha, etc… I’ve never been satisfied with a faux-​hawk when I head anywhere… EVER…that is until Chris at Str8 Edge snipped me up. This barber can cut a faux-​hawk like no one’s business; but it’s your business, so he makes it his business to snip you like no one’s business (*insert* Xzibit yo dawg meme).
It’s about $ 25 for a men’s snip here; not too bad considering the work that gets done.
The parking is atrocious (as with most of Walnut Creek) but do yourself a favor and park in the structure across of the plaza Str8Edge is in. You (normally) should get an hour free there, instead of having to feed the damn meter.
Chris normally has a line, since he’s effing GOOD, so be prepared to kill about 10% of the battery on your phone (If you know what I mean. You do… don’t you. Yeah you do.), and relax before you get snipped up.
If you’re in need of product, Str8Edge carries the barber approved Suavecito (Swa-​vuh-​see-​toe) which is amaze-​balls.
The other barbers here are awesome as well, Chris’ dad snips people up on the regular here so you can ask for him as well (though his name escapes me at the moment).
¹⁰⁄₁₀ would get my ears lowered here again.

I had edited my previous review from 2 to 3 stars after the owner contacted me and made a fair case that I was drawing comparisons to a completely different area geographically and economically. I told him I would try again if convinced the quality of the cut would be better, but never got a response. Either didn’t see it or he just doesn’t want my business that bad.
I’m updating because I wrote that I had to try some other spots in the area before I could pass judgment. I work in Emeryville (still not Walnut Creek but within 20 mile radius) and got a cut in Oakland today that was literally MORE THAN HALF THE PRICE and was exactly what I wanted. I waited less and the cut even took less time.
So there you have it. If you’re telling me cuts just cost $ 25+ in Walnut Creek, that’s FINE, 100% fair, a-​ok — in that case my 2 stars also reflects my chagrin at the fact.
But I don’t see why you would pay that for a so-​so cut when you could drive to any number of cities over (Concord, Lafayette, Orinda, Moraga, Emeryville, Oakland, Berkeley) and get a comparable or superior cut for less. If you live in WC and paying more for the same or less, that’s your prerogative, GO FOR IT.
The flat cut rate at Room to Groom in Oakland was $ 15 with a $ 5 Unilocal check-​in coupon, meaning after tip about $ 13. If I drive to Oakland from WC and back JUST for a haircut that’s about a gallon of gas (17 mi each way), or $ 3.50. Which makes the cut still $ 10+ cheaper. At ~1 cut a month I’ll take the $ 120+ yearly savings and buy myself a CLEAN pair of bucks each year.