Beard Maintenance with a SR??

So of course as I am about to pull the trigger on making a order with Larry over at whippeddog, my girlfriend goes and mentions that she prefers me with a beard. Now while I enjoy both a clean shaven face and a well maintained beard, I was all about taking some time devoted to staying clean shaven in order to learn to us a SR. It still makes sense to me to go ahead and buy all the things I need/want to start shaving with a SR as I will still save money in the long run by doing this. However, it made me curious as to what maintaining a nice neck line would be like with a beard. Any of vets have thoughts or words of wisdom?

- TE

Maintaining the lines on a beard IMO is easier with a straight. You can have more control than with a cartridge.

The words of my barber David, who started me down the path of using a SR in 1981..

"Glen if you want straight lines, you have to use a straight edge"


Yeah they work pretty darn good :p

Definitely not a vet, but I can concur that maintaining a beard is quite easy with a straight. I have a full beard and use the straight to maintain the under-the-jaw lines and the lines on my cheeks. And I still get to use my razors to keep my neck clean shaven, so all is not lost.

I wear a full beard also and will echo what has been said, a straight makes for quick and tidy clean up

Literally made my day reading this... Let the ordering commence.

A straight razor is also useful for giving your beard a "razor cut" trim.
Wild hairs can be used to test shave readiness while honing, as well.
Test the razor edge, shape your beard = win-win.

I will agree with with all. The straight razor is great for keeping my lines. With a double edge i do not get as good a view. I use the heal to keep my lines on my cheeks and the neckline came with a bit more time and learning to use very short strokes.

This is the same path I had to take. My wife wants the beard so have had to learn how to shave with a straight around the beard. Did do a full shave in my holidays and was told not again so back to the beard. Good luck and I hope you manage to change her mind.

After a little practice you will love shaping your beard with a straight razor. I'd suggest using a wedge with a very sharp pronounced point (spike point). My go-to beard shaper is A Union Cutlery Spike.