Kevint,

Going back over your post I get the sincere view that because you shave fewer people and don't have to use a barber hone that you can achieve a single shave better than the tradesmen. I follow that logic pretty well.

I think my perspective is that in general barbers were better because they shaved so many people and had so many nearby resources for support.

The other thing that hits me is that a big difference between the hobbiest and the professional is that you get paid to do it. I think getting paid for it forces you to attain a higher level of quality.