Dave sounds like every good mentor I've had, brutal but right.

Man, the "good dry wood" line gets me every time. Had a guy last winter who was so proud of his seasoned oak stack, turns out his flue cap was packed solid with creosote and a bird nest from like two years back. Burning dry wood only helps so much when the thing can't breathe. You can lead a horse to a chimney brush but you can't make him call you before the season starts.

Why does every older barber story turn into this big life lesson about slowing down? I get that the guy has been cutting for 30 years, but that doesn't make his way the only right way. Cross-checking fast isn't the same as skipping it, and if the fade looks clean and the client is happy, who cares how long you spent on the crown? This whole idea that guards make us lazy is kind of a stretch too, plenty of old school guys used whatever tool was fastest for the job. Sounds like he was just talking to hear himself talk and you walked away doubting stuff you already know works.