Old thread was like 2 years old, and it was only one page.

So in the past I have gone to Blue Flame and Pheonix, and both shops did great work on two separate pieces. I am getting a new one soon, and it is not going to be super elaborate so I thought about giving Warlocks a try instead of messing with H-boro street pains in the ass.
A buddy had some work done at Warlocks and it came out very good, he said the artist Byron did the work, and it looked really good.

Any thoughts

6/23/2012 1:08:20 PM

HABIT TATS

6/23/2012 1:15:17 PM

Phoenix has a parking lot. WTF kind of Hillsborough shit are you talking about?

6/23/2012 1:32:41 PM

Hillsborough st. in the evenings and weekends isn't bad at all. It's not even that bad right now during the week days. it's not even THAT bad during the fall/spring.

You have reason to be 100% confident in either Pheonix or Blue Flame --- this is on you for the rest of your life, why screw around with an unknown that doesn't really have the potential of being much better just to avoid a little traffic? Not to mention you can get to either of those shops pretty easily without driving down the "pain in the ass" part of hillsborough st.

I've had work done at Pheonix. Drove up there at 8pm on a weekday night during the fall, down hillsborough mind you, walked in and was out by 9pm. There were probably less than 10 cars on the road with me going and leaving combined (counting traffic in both directions).

6/23/2012 1:43:07 PM

Neil Scroggins opened his own shop on hillsborough down from EV called Oak City Tattoos - that would be my suggestion

6/23/2012 1:45:33 PM

Lol at treating a tattoo like a haircut. Where you go isn't as important as saving 15 minutes.

6/23/2012 1:56:49 PM

warlocks lol

6/23/2012 1:59:37 PM

sure I guess if you were getting a tribal tramp stamp or a cock ring, it might not matter where you go

6/23/2012 1:59:40 PM

I think you are missing my point. I am not treating a tattoo like a haricut, which is why I revived the thread asking others opinions about some of the best shops around.

I have also complimented both shops that I personally like. I also mentioned someone I know said good things about Warlocks, and I saw the work for myself and it looked very good.

I also stated that this one in particular is not going to be an elaborate piece, so perhaps I should give another shop a try, which I have personally seen work from.

6/23/2012 2:18:20 PM

there are no do-overs in tattooing

6/23/2012 2:19:51 PM

no shit, I have 2

6/23/2012 2:23:08 PM

Hit or miss at warlocks. Byron has been around a while but if you are really considering him make sure his style meshes with what you want done. I'm going to add tattoo zoo in with blue flame and phoenix to round iut the big three but i understand there is some talent at oak city now too. Anyway, the shop doesnt matter so much as the artist and what you are getting done. But you know that.

6/23/2012 2:23:31 PM

yeah I feel like a moron because I cant recall the name of the dude who did mine at Pheonix, but it looks fucking great.

Pheonix hasnt changed their name right, they have been there for since 2003 at least right

6/23/2012 2:26:10 PM

Quote :

"I think you are missing my point. I am not treating a tattoo like a haricut, which is why I revived the thread asking others opinions about some of the best shops around. I have also complimented both shops that I personally like. I also mentioned someone I know said good things about Warlocks, and I saw the work for myself and it looked very good. I also stated that this one in particular is not going to be an elaborate piece, so perhaps I should give another shop a try, which I have personally seen work from."

sounds like you answered your own thread.


Phoenix is very good. Blue Flame, Warlocks, and Savage & Heads can suck a fat one, I am not going to those establishments for various reasons.

I know there are new shops/relatively unknown around like Oak City, No Regrets, Tattoo Zoo (that one does not look that promising though)

There is also a shop my friend owns called Femme Fatale, corner of western and avent ferry where the papa johns is. Anyway, she has fun with her tattoos. IMO I think she does color best. She is not experienced with portraits. She is strong with lettering and shading and can make some beautiful tattoos. Here is some of Blair's work (these were the first ones I grabbed on her facebook)











finished koi sleeve

unfinished

6/23/2012 2:42:32 PM

Quote :

"so perhaps I should give another shop a try, which I have personally seen work from."

Personally, the tattoo is the end goal for me. Not getting to know a new tattoo artist or shop. Although, there are a few tattoo artists I'd like to have work done by. But none of them are in Raleigh. If the tattoo you want is so straight-forward or simple that anyone who can tattoo well can pull it off, then the only thing is finding someone who can tattoo well. You're not seeking out someone who's great in a certain style, or who you're comfortable working on a design with. You're just trying to get the job done in a way that doesn't leave you scarred or result in a shitty tattoo.

You have option 1) someone you know can do a good job first hand because they've tattooed you before, 2) someone else you know can do a good job first hand because they've tattooed you before, and 3) someone who's work you've seen on 1 friend's body but have no first hand experience with.

Is it completely stupid to go with artist #3... no, I don't think so. But you have 2 knowns. Why venture away from what you know to be good for something on you forever just to "try a new shop" and avoid messing with "h-boro street pains in the ass."

6/23/2012 3:13:55 PM

yea I agree, staying loyal to your artist can pay off and make your art tie together

6/23/2012 3:14:52 PM

wait, did i accidentally click on the "bad tattoo" thread?

6/23/2012 3:24:09 PM

And just to be fair, maybe you don't remember the people who actually tattooed you. And it's more about the person than the shop as far as a good tattoo goes. And you've seen the guy's at Warlocks work whereas maybe everyone at Pheonix and Blue Flame are just as unknown to you.

In that case, maybe there's actually some sense to go to the guy you mentioned. But that's at least sensible thought toward getting a tattoo. Choosing a shop to avoid traffic or simply try a new shop is kind of silly.

The flip-side to all of that is that shops with good reputations are likely to attract and keep good talent. And I believe Pheonix and Blue Flame are generally considered the better shops in the area.

6/23/2012 3:32:57 PM

Central Prison

6/23/2012 3:33:19 PM

Tatto zoo is far from new, though they relocated from cary if that's what you are mean. Kevin and steve are two of the best around, steve has done some of the best portraiture I've seen. To knock them and tout femme fatale is a bit ass backwards, but hey that's what portfolios and personal taste are all about

[Edited on June 23, 2012 at 4:49 PM. Reason : steve wetherington]

6/23/2012 4:45:58 PM

ah, that is good to hear.... scratch that about tattoo zoo.

I only said that because they made coupons, the only tattoo coupons I have ever seen, when they relocated to Raleigh and passed them around. And maybe the location also gave me reason to be skeptical.


So Femme Fatale is owned by my friend, of course I have bias to promote her if someone is looking for a new artist. I tried to explain that fine detailing is not yet her strongest talent, but the girl is 23 and is a very fun person to work with. If your design is simple, then I would always recommend her.

6/23/2012 4:54:00 PM

Savage and Heads across from campus has a pretty neat piss smell to it.

6/23/2012 9:55:34 PM

I think I will go to Phoenix again, although I wish I remembered who did my last one, but it was like over 7 years ago so he may not even be there anymore

6/23/2012 10:50:59 PM

Oak City Tattoo for sure. I'm surprised Brett's the only one who mentioned them. Neal did my most recent piece and will definitely be doing any more I want done in the future. Mark and Marco who also work there are pretty damn good too.

http://oakcitytattoos.com/


And, while it is on Hillsborough, it's right beside Pantana's Pool Hall and has a parking lot behind it. Parking is not an issue.

6/24/2012 12:39:45 PM

If that's Marco who was at Pheonix a few years ago, he did some lettering for me. I'd recommend him for simple stuff at least.

6/24/2012 1:14:59 PM

you don't have a hair on your ass if you don't get a face tat like Tyson

6/24/2012 1:23:09 PM

6/24/2012 1:32:34 PM

if i were gonna get a kitchenaid stand mixer tat, i'd at least get alton brown's flame decal mixer

6/24/2012 6:38:49 PM

^^


Whyyyyy?

6/24/2012 7:19:39 PM

Quote :

" Phoenix is very good. Blue Flame, Warlocks, and Savage & Heads can suck a fat one, I am not going to those establishments for various reasons."

I won't tell you why I don't like these establishments, but here, look at all the shitty tattoos my friend did!!!

6/24/2012 7:29:00 PM

[Edited on June 24, 2012 at 7:41 PM. Reason : ]

6/24/2012 7:39:48 PM

Warlocks seems to have good reviews on google

6/24/2012 9:29:41 PM

Jefe at Warlocks did one of mine and he was great. Good lines, very good with color/shading. My friend got one at the same time I did with a woman there...cant remember her name....she just did lettering but it was shaky and my friend was not pleased.

like everyone said so far you have to judge the artists and not the establishment as a whole

6/24/2012 11:07:01 PM

Central Prison does some hot ones

6/25/2012 2:55:00 PM

Had my work done at blue flame by jason today, turned out great.

6/25/2012 9:41:12 PM

pics or it didn't happen

6/25/2012 9:44:51 PM

^^ yes, please to show pics.

6/25/2012 10:22:46 PM

I really like the kitchenaid mixer one

6/25/2012 10:24:26 PM

how bad does it hurt to get a tat on your shin bone

6/25/2012 10:30:00 PM

i dont like to post pics of my tattoos

6/26/2012 12:35:33 AM

^^ Tats near bones are the worst.

6/26/2012 12:50:23 AM