Skull & Sword

«Nice tattoo, Deets!» — Point Break (1991)
Recently, I’d been asking around of friends looking for someone with Japanese expertise to help add to an existing tattoo. My friend, Ed, reached out and told me about Andre at Skull & Sword. I contacted Andre and we chatted via email for a few weeks (since I don’t live in SF) and talked about what I was looking to have done.
We settled on a plan and I sent him a photo of the existing tattoo and paid him a deposit. His assistant called and made an appointment with me based on when I would be in town and I was all set.
When I got there, Andre free-​handed the tattoo on my back with some Sharpies until he got what he wanted. He then set up his station and called me back over when he was ready to go.
Andre is awesome. He had a very light touch for being a big guy. His finished product was just what I was looking for — Japanese waves making an old tattoo look more like a yin yang.
In fact, we already talked thru my next tattoo.

5 stars for Henry Lewis. Staff is also professional and courteous. I’ve enjoyed going in here three times now.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Yutaro! My husband and I came in with just a small idea and Yutaro took our idea and expanded it and made it into something amazing. Now we both have extremely well done tattoos and are planning on expanding. Not only is Yutaro an amazing artist but he is a great guy, which is really important when you are spending that much time with someone. I’ve had lot’s of tattoos in the past, but what he does is truly art.
The other artists in the shop all are great as well judging by what I’ve seen when I’m there.

Love the shop. Andre Malcolm is my artist *heart* and he does amazing work. Come get your tats done. You won’t be disappointed.

Towards the end of August, 2013, I scheduled a consultation with Henry. I explained my idea for the tattoo and Henry had some encouraging words at first and then told me that if we followed through with idea, the end result would be something that looked like a dick. I told him that when it came to finding a balance between what I envisioned and what works for a tattoo I would defer to his expertise on the matter. Henry produced a quick sketch that allowed me to see what he had in mind.
On my way out, Nicola took my deposit money and told me that Henry’s next availability was February, 2014. I took this as positive sign that Henry was in such demand because of his skill and expertise. Nicola suggested that I email the shop detailing my idea and provide pictures or anything else I could think of that would aid Henry in sketching my design. I sent them a detailed email with five links to pictures that I thought would be helpful. A few days later, Nicola responded that she had received the email and would place the description in my file.
I heard nothing from them until the middle of February when they called to tell me that my appointment would be in one week. The night before my appointment, the shop calls me and asks if I can come have my arm outlined that night. I left a work function early and went directly to the shop. Henry took about three to five photos of my arm. I asked him if I could see what he had sketched and he produced the same first draft that he created during out initial consultation — 5.5 months ago. I shared that I didn’t like one element of the design and he responded by telling me that my idea would not work and that he’d rather not do the tattoo then do something that looked stupid. It got a little contentious and very uncomfortable. Henry then printed out my description and asked if I included any photos or pictures with the description. I responded that in the initial email I sent after my consultation I included links to photos that I thought would help. He rescheduled my appointment from 1:00 PM the next day to 2:00 PM the next day.
I showed up at 2:00 PM and Henry showed me his sketch of my design. Anyone looking at his sketch could tell that Henry had hastily drawn it either the night before or earlier that morning. It was also clear that while he had read my email detailing what I wanted, he hadn’t paid attention to what each element was meant to symbolize. It looked like shit and Henry clearly was not into devoting much energy to it. I told him I needed a day to think about the idea. I left the shop and never contacted Henry or Skull & Sword again.
The whole experience sucked. I can appreciate and respect the fact that Henry has artistic integrity. I was looking for someone who wanted to take ownership of the design. However, I did not appreciate him insulting my idea and I really didn’t appreciate the lack of professionalism he displayed in waiting until the last minute to sketch some bullshit.
I get it — you’re an artist. But, ultimately, you’re in the service industry, and your service sucks.

Yutaro is my man and I am on tattoo #2 by him. He is extremely talented and just all around great guy. All the artists there are amazing, my gf is getting her sleeve done by Henry Lewis and it’s amazing.
Well worth the wait and you will not be disappointed!

My gosh, this place is worth its weight in gold and blows my mind, .I came to this place after being referred from a good friend of mine„ and after a swift drive from out of town to this place, I came in with a huge $#@! bloody mess I got at another shop, for Yutaro to cover up. The QUALITY of tattos I have received from Yutaro (been here twice now after today) … the QUALITY is UN-​REAL. I am just so glad this place even exists, what it means to ME is ;never having to worry about getting a raggety tattoo ever again-​priceless! Im coming back again and again and again. Thank you S&S!!!
Best regards
Jacob

Lango did my tattoo and everyday I look at it I’m like wtf did I let him do?! My other tattoo artist put a beautiful frame on my arm and I gave lango an idea on what to put inside. I was hoping he would draw up something creative considering that’s what he does! Instead he gave me the most basic version of what I wanted. Bow with pearls I uploaded a pic to the list.
I had driven over an hr to be at an appt I waited a month for. I really didn’t wanna just leave with nothing so we adjusted it several times til I felt okay with it. I have two other tats I really like by him so I was sure this one would be good too.

Yutaro is SO talented! I had two hideous tattoo that I wanted to cover. It took me almost a year to complete because of our schedule. He finally finished it on Feb 7 2014. It was definitely worth the wait and pain. He makes you feel very comfortable. Actually everyone in the studio makes you feel comfortable. They are SO down to earth and fun. Bunch of talented dudes in one room! AMAZING energy! He and Henry Lewis is still working on my brother’s piece. It is insane! Beautiful work!
Thx Yutaro! You are the BEST!!! I would not consider going anywhere else!!! Highly Highly recommended!!!

I got a «queen bee» inspired tattoo by Henry Lewis and I’m so in love with it! The colors came out so vibrant, and his line work was flawless. Henry is mad talented, I definitely recommend him! I have quite a collection of tattoos on my body and out of all the artists that have tattooed me, Henry for sure has the lightest touch, in other words it did not hurt as much, which is a huge plus in my book! He has a really great energy about him, like the kind you just feel comfortable being around, and he’s really funny, which made the experience so much better. Also, the shop is very chill and welcoming, not intimidating at all. They are cash only, so make sure you bring cash with you!

Henry Lewis is magical. ’nuff said.

Great shop. All these dudes kill it .
and remember. good tattoos aren’t cheap and cheap tattoos arent good.

Finest quality. Superior workmanship.
There is a maker’s serial number 9 906 947-​XB71. Interesting. Not fish. Snake scale!

This is NOT a tattoo parlor… that name implies that people walk in off the street, pick drawings off the wall and have them applied without regard by some dude in a leather vest.
Skull & Sword IS an artist colony that also does tattoos. And WOW do they do great work! I just finished a piece with Yutaro, and it has been a fantastic experience. Yutaro is brilliant; he met with me twice at the beginning to go over my original design ideas, and then took my concept and transformed it with his artistry and skill into a piece so much more amazing than anything I ever could have imagined. Now that the piece is finished, it is a thing of beauty, and I will absolutely go back to Yutaro in the future for other work.
The other artists here are also just mindbogglingly talented; some of their work is on display, and it feels like getting tattooed at an art gallery. The vibe in this place is very positive and upbeat; given that you are about to get stabbed a few thousand times a minute, it helps… :)
If you are serious about your body as a canvas and want the best artwork to adorn it for the rest of your life, I highly recommend Skull & Sword.

After five or so years of inactivity, I’m resurrecting my Unilocal profile (this still exists?) for one sole purpose. And that is to commend the unparalleled artistry and professionalism that everyone in this shop and crew exudes from the minute you walk into this place.
To start, I’ve been getting tattooed pretty regularly for a little over a decade now. In that time I’ve seen what I believe is my fair share of shops. I’ve got enough work done that I won’t be working a square gig anytime soon. It’s this fair amount of good and bad experience I reference in writing this review.
It’s almost hard for me to even classify Skull and Sword as merely a tattoo parlor. The studio that houses the collective of artists at S&S is a think-​tank for brilliance as well as a proving ground for the advancement of the art in this ubiquitous world of post-​modern tattooing.
The environment in the shop is laid back as it gets, warm and welcoming, and above all else professional. We’re talking awesome and very accommodating. Each artist in the shop is at the forefront of the art. Hands down. It’s not even an arguable point. just do a search for anyone of them to find the images, testaments, and documentaries chronicling their combined achievements as artists in and outside the medium of body art.
The way they work in preparation for sessions is by running ideas past each other, constantly critiquing one another other in order to improve their craft collectively and make their work more creative and outstanding. Bouncing ideas off each other, asking opinions, from the beginning of a draft to the last touches of a tattoo. I’ve seen it happen both times I’ve been fortunate enough to have Henry work on me. I am proud to say his work is on full display every time I get out of bed as he just knocked out a full hand piece for me in two hours. it’s unreal how fast and effectively he works.
The latest tattoo is easily my proudest work, and by far one of the most beautiful and powerful pieces I’ve ever seen; let alone been lucky enough to have with me permanently.
The gentlemen who work here are, as I said, unparalleled artistically. As an artist myself, it means a lot to me to have someone I know who is as fully committed to his or her craft and process as I am to mine. That reason alone is why I’m writing this review of Henry and all the guys there, who I hope to at some point work with. It’s only a three year wait to get in with Grime. Enough said…
in short, S&S is unfukwitable. truth. anyone who says different obviously has no idea what they are talking about.

what can i say about henry lewis. he is the illest tattooer and oil painter i am aware
amazing as he is with the gun and brush he is an even more amazing dude on a personal level. one of the funniest and most giving people i have ever meet. he has a super light hand and works faster than seems possible. everything about skull and sword and my experience with henry exceeded the high expectations i had going in there. i always think it is ridiculous when i hear of my friends getting tattoed anywhere else. whether you book an appointment with the master gime or yutaro. or the brazilian ripping machine lango (who just had a sick write up in Juxtapoz featuring some of his street murals) or you want to get drilled by one of my favorite dudes in the world Mr. Henry Lewis, make sure you get all your work done at the mighty Skull & Sword.

I am what you’d call a «shitty client».
I made this commitment with Yutaro to work on a back piece. Then, not even halfway through the work, I decided I wanted to move across country. With this new commitment, I started rescheduling and missing appointments. I may have lost a small deposit, but Yutaro loses an entire work day. I am a shitty client. I make this move and I don’t see Yutaro again for another year. When I finally saw him, he was just as warm, sweet, and accommodating as ever. Although I was in excruciating pain from his intricate detailing and layering, I am absolutely in love with his craftsmanship. He’s fuckin’ dope! The whole shop is dope!
Why can’t I give them more stars?!

I’m not a native bay-​area resident and when I was looking to have my next tattoo done, Skull & Sword came very highly recommended to me by multitudes of fellow ink-​addicts. It’s no surprise why– admist the sound of buzzing needles, you’ll find suberb cleanliness, walls covered in various stencils, art, and all kinds of other fun visually-​stimulating stuff, and an overall great group of talented, fun guys.
Lango did my tattoo and he did a great job. It was a design of my own and I’m very happy with the outcome. He had a bit of an attitude with me (mildly insulted my art-​work twice and was kind of rude to a friend who was with me) and charged me more than was initially discussed, which I wasn’t thrilled about, but overall when you make a lifelong committment like a tattoo and you want someone to do it right, I’d say it’s worth paying the extra bucks and a very safe bet selecting anyone here.

This review is for Henry Lewis, who i will now follow if he leaves and picks up shop… again. Momma is gonna need another tattoo.
I had made my appointment with him at Everlasting, till he got poached and came here. Yah, I had to drive to my appointment, and it wasnt easy to find. But it was worth it.
Note: this place is not made for walk-​ins. Its hard to find, without a real storefront, and some of the artists have pretty severe wait lists to get seen. I mean… I made my appointment in January, and got in April 12. But really, April 12 came super soon, and now i cant wait to go back and start a half-​sleeve. Probably wont be tomorrow… but its an eventual hope. I’m ready. Henry lightens the mood, cracks jokes and makes you «sort-​of» forget about the shooting awful pain that the tattoo is.
The other artists here are top notch. Grimey apparently is known nation wide. While we were in the waiting area, 3 Texans were sitting with us, having traveled just to get tattooed by him.
I recommend this place for your next tattoo… but make sure you call ASAP.

Formerly Primal Urge SF. Great artists here, I am having my back piece done by Phil Holt. I can’t even remember how many sessions I’ve had, but the work is Top Notch. Studio is bright, open, extremely clean and welcoming, not to mention caliber of the artists at work here…
@ Skull & Sword you have Grime, Phil Holt, Yutaro, Norm and Marcus Pacheco.
If you’re looking to get some work done definitely consider Skull & Sword.