A 21-YEAR old is getting ready to face razor-sharp competition as he takes on the quest to become the very best wet-shaving barber in Great Britain.

Jordan Baker, owner of AJ’s Barbers and Hairdressers on Marine Road in Prestatyn, will take on other top barbers in the Welsh regional final of Britain’s Best Shave at the James Williams barbershop in Neath on March 18.

If he acquires the top spot in the regional heat, the skilled craftsman will go on to face the most crucial shave of his life at the national final on May 20. This will be take place inside a boxing ring at Barber UK at the Birmingham NEC.

Jordan learnt the tricks of the trade after undergoing training in Guernsey. He moved to North Wales last year to start a new adventure with his partner, Alix-Brooke Caldwell, and her parents and opened AJ’s last October.

He said: “To be shortlisted for this event is a great honour to me.

“I got into the industry as I wanted to be in a trade where I could strive to be the best I can be. I get the chance to meet people from all different walks of life and it opens your eyes to the real world that people live in.

“I learnt the trade of wet shaving as it’s an art and ultimate form of relaxation for the client.”

Jordan learnt his craft from award-winning barber Mark Rayment.

“My course was an intensive eight-month course with Mark, training one-to-one with him within a barbershop working on real clients,” he explained.

“I enjoy being a barber very much. I would never have dreamt of doing this job. However, it’s the best decision I ever made.

“Its not just about cutting hair; it is about meeting so many different people and having that 15 minutes where they just relax and have some company.”

Now in its fifth year, the annual competition, run by industry watchdogs the British Barbers’ Association and premium male grooming brand The Bluebeards Revenge, is fast becoming the “most coveted” competition of the barbering industry.

Finalists must impress judges on a number of criteria, including shave preparation, razor technique, post-shave routine, health and safety and overall efficiency.

Nick Gibbens, spokesman for The Bluebeards Revenge, said: “Each year we are blown away by the level of talent out there, and this year we’ve had a record number of entries.”

Jordan said: “Ahead of the heats, I will be getting lots of practice in on my clients. The heats are a big deal to me as its the first time I’ve been selected for them. I’m feeling both nervous and excited. To take top spot would be an absolute dream. It would make myself and Alix, who is a hairdresser at AJ’s, very proud.”