Scapicchio Academy Level 2 in Ghent: When a Southern French Barber Steps Into Belgium’s Oldest Barbershop
She’s not a beginner.
Sophie Baruch trades the sunburnt south of France, near the Spanish border, for the grey skies of Ghent to do something most barbers only talk about: sharpen her craft at Scapicchio Academy Level 2 inside ROMAIN, the oldest barbershop in Belgium.
She’s not a beginner. She has her own clients, her own chair, her own rhythm. But good barbers know one thing: there’s always another level. That’s why she’s here. One chair. One mentor. No hiding.
For us at ROMAIN, it’s an honour. When an experienced barber like Sophie decides to leave her comfort zone and fly in for two days of hard work, you don’t give her a slideshow. You give her everything.
This is Level 2. Our flagship. No fluff, no shortcuts, no crowd. Just a 1-on-1 deep dive in the oldest barbershop in Belgium, guided by master barber Stijn De Sutter.
What Level 2 Really Is
Level 2 at the Scapicchio Academy in ROMAIN is not a “nice extra training.”
It’s an intensive one-on-one where we strip the craft down to its bones and rebuild it with structure, control and intent.
Day 1 is where we break open the theory.
We go deep into the why behind every stroke, every angle, every blade.
We build a clear framework between two worlds:
The Western straight razor tradition
The Eastern approach, with the Japanese Kamisori
By the end of the day, you don’t just know the difference – you know how to combine both philosophies into your own barber service.
Day 1: Freehand Honing on the Edge
After the theory, we move straight into the grind. Literally.
On Day 1 we work freehand, no tape, no excuses:
Freehand honing of a hollow traditional straight razor
Freehand honing of a full wedge
Freehand honing of a Kamisori in the original, traditional way
All of this happens on the All in One Honing Kit by ROMAIN and Ardenne Coticule – our trusted setup, built to handle everything from hollow to wedge to Kamisori. One kit, all tasks covered.
This is not “follow the arrows” honing. This is feel, feedback, sound, steel and stone. You learn to read your razor, not just move it.
Day 2: Five Shaves, Full Focus
Day 2 is where things get heavy.
After a full day of theory and honing, we step into the service itself:
five full shaves, plus demonstrations and breakdowns.
We work through:
How to structure a classic shave service from A to Z
Beard trims with intention, not guesswork
Stroke patterns and body positions that improve control and comfort
How to refine your service so every client feels the difference
Master barber Stijn De Sutter takes the chair for live demos – explaining exactly what to look for, what to correct, and how to push your technique further without losing safety or elegance.
It’s mentorship in its rawest form: direct feedback, real clients, real steel.
Why Barbers Travel for Level 2
Sophie didn’t travel from the south of France to Ghent for a certificate on the wall.
She came for something much more valuable: a skill set that rises. Immediately.
Level 2 at ROMAIN is built for barbers who already stand firmly in the craft, but refuse to stay at the same level. It’s for professionals who want:
Stronger freehand honing skills: hollow, wedge, Kamisori
A clear structure between Western and Eastern shaving systems
More efficient, controlled shave and beard services
Mentorship from a working master barber inside a historic shop
When you step into Belgium’s oldest barbershop for Scapicchio Academy Level 2, you don’t just learn techniques. You join a line of barbers who care enough to travel, question everything they know, and go home sharper than they arrived.
Want to join Scapicchio Academy Level 2 at ROMAIN in Ghent?
Get in touch to plan your 1-on-1 training with master barber Stijn De Sutter and take your straight razor, honing and shaving services to the next level. Send us a Email
If you want more than just a good story and you’re ready to sharpen your craft or your own look, you know where to find us.
From straight razor training and honing on natural stone to classic shaves and serious beard work in the chair, ROMAIN Barbershop & Academy in Ghent is where it actually happens – not just where people talk about it.
Want to book a service?
https://booking.optios.net/6064/select-location
Want to follow the journey?
ROMAIN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/romain_ghent
Stijn on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/desutter_stijn
Stijn on YouTube (more adventures, more razors, more stories): https://www.youtube.com/@desutter_stijn
For Academy info, courses or questions, send an email to info@romaighent.be – and we’ll take it from there.
