Ambassador Frederik De Maeght 🇧🇪
A New Ambassador of the Scapicchio Academy
From time to time, the Academy welcomes someone whose journey begins not only with curiosity, but with inspiration.
Frederik De Maeght, a proud barber from Bruges, Belgium 🇧🇪, began his path much closer to home — in Ghent, where he first encountered the philosophy and discipline of the straight razor under the guidance of Master Barber Stijn De Sutter.
What started as inspiration quickly became commitment.
Frederik developed a deep fascination for the ritual of shaving — the precision of the blade, the quiet concentration it demands, and the respect required to master such a tool.
Like many who choose this path, Frederik decided to follow the official trajectory of the Scapicchio Academy.
The journey begins where the tradition lives strongest: Bovino, Italy.
There he attended Level 1, two intense days dedicated to the foundations of the craft. The first day focused on understanding the razor itself — how to sharpen it properly, how steel behaves, and how the foundation of a true shaving edge is created.
The second day moves from stone to skin.
Handling the razor correctly.
Working with real models.
Learning calm control, discipline, and respect for the blade.
Frederik approached the process with the quiet focus that defines a serious craftsman.
He passed successfully.
But the journey did not stop there.
Inspired by the craft and guided by mentorship, Frederik continued the official path and returned to Ghent for Level 2, the advanced program.
Here the work becomes deeper and more demanding.
Understanding razor geometry.
Angles and edge behavior.
Freehand honing of a kamisori and a full wedge.
Hours of repetition.
Technique refined through patience and practice.
The second day expands further into the world of the professional barber:
head shaves, beard sculpting, workflow, business insight, and of course the ritual of the shave itself.
Once again, Frederik demonstrated dedication and passed with distinction.
The next step brought him back to Bovino, where tradition and discipline meet once again.
There he faced the Ambassador Examination.
A written test of 120 questions, measuring theoretical knowledge, technical understanding, and the deeper philosophy behind the craft.
After two hours of intense concentration, Frederik succeeded.
But the Academy always saves the real test for last.
The practical examination.
Freehand honing of both a kamisori and a full wedge, under the watchful eye of Master Barber Luigi Scapicchio, alongside the other masters of the Academy.
And finally — the shave.
Not in perfect silence.
Not in a comfortable environment.
But in Bovino.
Noise. Pressure. Movement. Eyes watching.
Because a barber trained in this tradition must be able to perform anywhere.
Frederik remained focused. Calm. Precise.
And once again, he delivered.
With great pride, the official title of Ambassador of the Scapicchio Academy was awarded to Frederik De Maeght of Belgium.
For his mentor, Stijn De Sutter, it is a proud moment to see a student grow within the philosophy of the craft and carry it forward.
Because mentorship is not about creating followers.
It is about building craftsmen who continue the tradition with their own strength and discipline.
Frederik now joins the Academy family — committed to further developing the philosophy and values of the Scapicchio Academy.
Because in this craft, one thing remains certain:
Together we grow stronger.
Focus. Discipline. And the will to keep moving forward.
And as always within the Academy:
Mastery cannot be bought.
It must be earned.
Follow the Academy, get updates, and dive into the programs, campuses, and tutor network here:
Follow the academy, get updates and dive into the programs, campusus and tutor network
