Left Hand Black

I have been following Jacob Henry for quite some time and decided to bite the bullet and get my tattoo done by him (it was a partial cover up). And I am blown away! He transferred his art perfectly onto my arm and it’s better than ever expected. He listened to everything I wanted and gave me ample opportunity to change anything and make the tattoo exactly what I envisioned (but his sketch was dead on).
Not only is it beautiful but I had SO much fun. It was an evening well spent. He was so accommodating and kind and it felt like hanging out with a friend. I never thought a tattoo experience could be great but this one was!
I will post a photo of it when it is all healed.

I was looking for a place to get a sleeve started, left hand black was one of the few shops that actually emailed me back and could get me in at a decent time.
They suggested Chris Dykes work on it. I emailed him pictures of what I wanted. When I saw the sketch I was blown away. He took my ideas and made them look incredible. Truly a great artist.
All of the workers in the shop are kind and professional. Chris is very easy to get in contact with via email.
I love my ink and I get compliments frequently.

Today I went in for a tattoo by Chris dykes, and am more than thrilled with the results. I am super shy and awkward and normally feel really uncomfortable around tattoo artists but he and everyone else in the shop were so nice and professional. I’m also super picky and made him redraw my idea twice (I was such a pill!) and in the end got something totally different and he was patient and understanding and did an awesome job on my piece. In the past I’ve not had the best luck with feeling satisfied with my tattoos (felt like the artist just said like «ya I know what you want» then gave me something totally different) and I feel like I can come here and feel confident I’ll be walking out happy with what I received. Thanks LHBLK!

Can’t say enough good things about Chris Dykes at Left Hand Black. Focused, professional, and put together an amazing tattoo with just a couple of images I sent him via email. He was able to see my vision, improve upon it, and then put on my arm. What more can you ask? I plan to do my left arm in the same fashion and Chris will be the guy that does it. Doesn’t matter how long I have to wait.

Rad aesthetics and a startingly hideous, but incredibly talented crew of tattooers. I mean, really, it’s like a shop full of Rocky Dennises, but holy hell can they make some fancy skin pictures!

Gary at left-​hand black knocked it out of the park! The place is incredibly clean and they’re quick and efficient.

This shop is a hidden gem! I am so happy I found this place I walked in on a Sunday evening and got a tattoo, sooo badass! Chris did and amazing job I am so happy with my tattoo. I will be coming back for sure!

Turk, the shop owner and head tattoo artist is the coolest dude ever. Of course, he’s also ridiculously talented. He’s super reasonable, down to earth, interesting and just a good guy. I’d go back just to sit in the chair with him for a couple hours. I got a ¾ sleeve with him and I love it. He’s a wizard with the machine. He had a super rough sketch and did all the insane work detail on-​arm, on-​the-​fly. Don’t let this scare you. Trust him and let him do what he does best.

I got a tattoo of my recently deceased puppy’s paw print and the artist, Gary, did a phenomenal job on a piece that means so much to me. He’s very personable as well and everyone in the shop seems to love what they do and really care about getting your tattoo the way you want it. I highly recommend coming here for any type of tattoo piece.

I’ve never left a review for anywhere for anything before.
I was so impressed with this shop and my artist Chris Dykes today, I came home and made a profile just for this review.
I told Chris today, this is hands down the cleanest shop I’ve ever been to. The entire staff was the most hospitable group. I was offered coffee, gatorade, and a tootsie pop. Everyone looked me in the eye and incorporated me in shop conversation. I didn’t feel like I was inconveniencing anyone by being there, or that they were doing me a favor. I was the client and was treated as such.
You couldn’t ask for a better neighborhood. There’s everything you could think of with in a two block radius.
The place is decorated bad ass, which is an odd thing to review but it really makes your time spent staring at wall for 4 hours that much more enjoyable.
The music is on point. It’s not metal for hours. Getting tattooed is painful enough without listening to Megadeth the whole time.
All that said, I have to give major ups to Chris Dykes for capturing my wants inside of his style and creating something I’d want permanently even if it wasn’t. If you’re in the market for an artist, look no further.

My Lyft driver told me about this place, so on a whim, I decided to get tatted up on my vacay. Super cute neighborhood. Jason Capps was guest tattooing and did me up right. I love my new ink.

I recently had a tattoo done by Chris Dykes during my trip to San Diego. It was an awesome experience– I’m not very creative and so he gave some great advice and was really attentive in making sure this was a positive experience. Everyone I met and talked to in preparation for my appointment were simply awesome. I will definitely go back again next time I’m in the area!

I had a special tattoo that I have been wanting fixed and Chris was the man, great job, Clean, friendly & reasonable pricing compared to others in the area. I will definitely be back!

Just had my tattoo started with Jacob last night and even though its just the outline it already looks great! I can’t wait to go back in a couple weeks so he can add some shading and my signature color pink! Thanks Jacob!

I want to add to the review below and reiterate that Chris Dykes does amazing work. I have had two other tattoos done by Chris in the past so it was a no brainer when deciding who I wanted to create my memorial tattoo of my sweet pug Ruby. Although it was quite a small and basic tattoo, Chris did it with such precise detail and I couldn’t be happier with the result.
The shop is definitely the cleanest tattoo shop I’ve been to and the hospitality was great. The gentlemen who did our paperwork and set up the work stations (I didn’t catch his name) was very accommodating offering us beverages while we waited.
All around great shop and I will recommend Chris and Left Hand Black to everyone!

My daughters had scheduled an appointment with Chris 2months ago when we lost our beloved pug Ruby. We wanted something in memory of her and wanted it done around her birthday. She would have turned 2 yesterday. RIP Rubes
We have had art work done with Chris Dykes but this was our first time at Left Hand Black. The place had easy parking and is in a nice location. It was very clean and the hospitality was great. Chris did an awesome job on all three of us and we are very happy. Thank you Chris!

Just got a tattoo by Alex edge and I couldn’t be more happy everyone at the shop is super chill and laid back and the shop is really clean it had a cool setup with some crazy art and memorabilia I would recommend this place to anyone whether your getting your first tat or already have 20 this place is on point!

Let me preface this by saying I’m the master of psyching myself out about tattoos. I have a few but every time, I worry about the pain and always need a friend to come with me.
After looking on Unilocal,I decided Left Hand Black was going to be the place I got my next (most meaningful) tattoo. I lost my dog in February, my best friend of 9 years, to cancer. I wanted to commemorate her by tattooing her exact paw print on my ankle — so she would always be walking with me.
I met with Chris and he was immediately sympathetic, as was everyone that worked in the shop. Fellow dog lovers. These guys are super friendly and awesome. I rescheduled about five times but Chris was really flexible and understanding. I like to think he could tell I was nervous. :)
Chris took the mold I had of my dogs paw print and was able to scan it and draw the details exactly. I am so thrilled with the result and would recommend him to anyone. Thanks so much for helping me create an everlasting memory of my favorite furry friend!

This place is awesome. Absolute top notch staff. I really cannot say enough nice things about the atmosphere, artistic talent, and dedication to the craft. Turk and his team deserve high praise for the caliber of work and cleanliness of the studio. You’ll feel right at home. Cheers.

I had an incredible experience here, I got my first tattoo from Jacob and I am absolutely thrilled with it! The shop is really cool with awesome art all around and creepy looking horror movie decorations and most importantly a street fighter vs. X-​men arcade machine! The staff is extremely helpful, friendly and professional. All the artists care about their art form which gave me a sense of security, I knew as soon as I walked in, that I walked into the right place. You won’t be disappointed here!

Chris is a true artist and professional.
I wanted to have portraits of my two Cocker Spaniels who had passed and the two I currently have tattooed on my upper left and right arms.
The first guy I found began the work then disappeared without notice. the second screwed everything up and the third one moved on to who knows where after doing some rework. The job was not completed until I met Chris. He did a wonderful job on the repairing and finishing what three other artists were not able to do. After dealing with one disappointing tattoo person after another and being disappointed and bewildered I can say that after three years I am finally happy with the portraits of my Cocker Spaniels.
If you are looking for a great shop with a great staff, Left Hand Black is the one and only shop I can recommend. Especially Chris, a true professional that worked so well with me as a client.

I’ve been going to Turk for about a year now and I can say he will be my tattoo artist indefinitely for all of the future pieces I will get. I had already been to a few different artists before I found Turk for small and large tattoos. I came to him with a few ideas and he sat me down and explained what would work and what wouldn’t work. We collaborated and came out with a sleeve that I couldn’t be any more proud of. My friends have also gotten pieces from the other artists there like Alex, Chris and Jacob and they all have been beautiful pieces of work. Clean, professional and extremely knowledgeable. You can’t go wrong here. Best tattoo shop in San Diego hands down.

TUUURRRKKK
I scheduled my appointment with Turk in December 2014 and just got my tat on April 10, 2015. I gave him an awkward sketch of the idea I wanted him to design, and I can definitely say that he went above and beyond what I could have hoped for. I requested black and grey, and he agreed to it even though he likes colored tattoos better: p
He gave me my first back piece (I’m planning on going back to him for another back piece). I already have some tattoos on my arms, but now I wish I could do it all over and come to Turk from the start. The 4 month wait was worth it!
At 10 AM, I was the only customer for hours on that Friday morning, but Turk, Chris, Cole, and Alex were really welcoming and engaging, even if they kept telling me stories about people standing up, walking around, fainting, and cracking their skulls open after their tattoo sessions. So for the next 6 hours (excluding breaks to the bathroom), I lied there grueling over the possibility of my untimely death by sexy tattoo.
Let me tell ya, 6 hours can really take the life out of you. During the first couple hours, I was high from the endorphins, laughing at everything (so who knows if they were actually even funny??) but around the 4^th to 5^th hour, I was drained. My body was exhausted from fighting off the pain. I just lied there, drowning out all conversation, hearing nothing but the buzz of the needle as it scraped away at the skin on my back. I heard some witty comments here and there from Turk or Cole or whoever, but I couldn’t even stomach a snicker.
Then it only got worse. Not only was I drained, but I was out of my natural morphine. By golly I don’t know how I endured that. If I wasn’t already too exhausted to complain, and too against the idea of going home with an unfinished tattoo, I’m not sure if I would have stuck it out til the end. I kept telling myself it was punishment for all the wrong I’ve done in my life, and maybe that helped. Maybe it didn’t.
But goddamn was it worth it.

I got my first tattoo here about two and a half years ago and I love it! The shop was very clean with a nice atmosphere. Dan was able to sketch up the idea I had in mind and did not disappoint. I’ll be going back as soon as I finalize the idea I’m working with for the next one.

I recently got my first tattoo at left hand black by Alex Edge. He was so great! I came in as a walk in and he helped me through the process. I came in with a sketch of what I wanted, he gave me some ideas on how to make it better. He tweaked my sketch and made it a million times better! I came in spontaneously so I was still indecisive about everything. He gave me tips on where to put my tattoo and it wasn’t as painful as I expected. He knew what he was doing. He’s definitely a cool guy too! I am for sure coming back to get my next tattoo from him. He charged me $ 200 for my walk in and I’d definitely say i got my money’s worth :-) I love it.

You guys! Chris Dykes is at Left Hand Black now! YOU GUYS!!!
Chris is amazing and this shop compliments his amazingness (it could be a word, just go with it)! I seriously bring all the people I love the most to Chris for their tattoos. My husband, my mother, myself. Mostly myself. His work is always top-​notch and unique and I hand out his card every week to strangers who approach me about my tattoos and want to know where they can get some too. He’s just a downright great person too. He’s warm, funny, and can wear big boy pajamas with the best of them. He’s also so very kind about pee breaks, because this girl right here needs to pee a lot and boys better understand.
Chris Dykes is Jonelle O. approved and here are some things she’s said about him:
— «Chris is by far the quickest and most reliable to respond. I very much appreciate that and it goes a long way when I’m choosing an artist. He’s been patient with my mom’s choices and then non-​choices and when I dropped off the deposit, was super friendly and had a smile on his face the entire time. Some artists are so surly and that’s just not necessary, thankyouverymuch. Especially when I’m bringing my mom to them. His positive attitude is very reassuring.»
— «Like, it was perfect! The detail, the eyes, the wrinkles. Just perfect. And the genius that he is, he used white ink for the face paint on the pug, making it wonderfully delicate and not over-​powering at all. I mean, he just KNEW! I can’t stress enough how important that decision on his part was to both of us. It takes both a true artist to know to do that. Just, BRAVO, Chris. Serious BRAVO. «
FIVE STARS! WOULD BE TATTOOED AGAIN!
But seriously, go find him on Instagram and see for yourself what he can do.

I got my first tattoo at Left Hand Black almost 2 months ago. I had kicked around the idea of getting a tattoo for years but never felt comfortable going out and blindly trusting someone with permanently marking my body. Turk came highly recommended from a close friend with multiple tattoos, so I figured it was time.
I went in around May, I believe, to do a consult and set an appointment. Turk took the general idea I had and drew a quick, «rough» sketch that nailed exactly what I was imagining. Plan on needing to wait a few months before an appointment opens up. Dude is crazy busy but for good reason.
I was pretty nervous going into it since it was my first time, but Turk and the rest of the crew were super friendly and easy-​going. The full stencil looked perfect. I’m glad I went in with a general idea and then just let Turk do his thing with it. The stencil was a bit big at first, but there was no problem whatsoever to reduce the size. The whole staff made me feel right at home in the shop. The shop, by the way, is unreal. It’s an art studio with a few tattoo stations.
I was in the chair for about 4 hours for a full color piece that just covers a good chunk of my right pec. Not sure if or when I’ll get more artwork done, but there’s no question where it will be done at.

Turk is a master of the ink! He’s doing my tattoo and I should have never went to someone else to add something really stupid to my arm! Turk is such a genius; that he can even make this look good!
Bit of advice: come in with your idea and let Turk do his magic! Remember, we are not artists and TURK is more than an artist; he is the Yoda of tattoo’ing…

LHBLK is fresh and squeaky clean. All of the artists are friendly and exhibit a high level of professionalism. I highly recommend this establishment!
I’m fortunate to have Jacob Henry’s (IG: @jacob_henry87) work on my forearm. He is highly skilled in executing black and gray. I asked him to incorporate three elements into the piece with red color and left the design and composition up to him.
Mr. Henry’s work far surpassed any of my expectations. The richness of the black and gray and his use of reds is breathtaking. I was impressed by his clean lines, attention to detail, and how much he genuinely cares that his clients leave with something they love. It’s obvious he puts his heart into his work. He is a truly talented artist. I will definitely return to LHBLK!