Thread: shaving around a goatee?

So I finished my second shave this weekend,still just the cheeks and a test area on my neck, and all went well.

I must ask though, does anyone here with facial hair feel awkward shaving around it? I have a goatee and I feel like the only way I can get close to it is to flip the razor so the point is towards the goatee, holding the razor like this feels odd. Maybe this is how your're supposed to do it, I dont know. Mind you I have a rounded point so maybe this is the issue.

So to sum this up, is this an issue any other newbs here have, and if so how did you solve it? I should point out that I am trying to do this WTG, when I go XTG I have no issues since the edge lines up with the beard.

I use the point of the razor to go around and define the edge of my ring beard. I also find it very easy to go right up to the beard line XTG but on my WTG pass I also trace it with the point. I do find it a bit harder to know exactly where this is with a round point and think a spike or square point makes it easier, but the stoke is the same either way and you will get used to it in time.

I change up frequently. One week I may be clean shaven then I may go a week with no shave to establish a close beard. Then I use an electric trimmer to make my entire beard even in length. Using my straight razor I can then define my beard line and shave the cheeks and neck. It takes alot of point work and (for me) to use the point of the blade and see what I'm doing, frequent cross hand shaving. I enjoy working to get my jawline even (left and ringht). Sometimes it's like trying to get a table to stop wobbling by shortening one leg, then the other. Now and then I chase the eveness until I decide maybe I'll have a goatee for a while(actually I think the chin and mustache combo is called a "vandyke" but I could be wrong).

I hope I have been coherent enough to be helpful.

Originally Posted by Wildtim

I use the point of the razor to go around and define the edge of my ring beard. I also find it very easy to go right up to the beard line XTG but on my WTG pass I also trace it with the point. I do find it a bit harder to know exactly where this is with a round point and think a spike or square point makes it easier, but the stoke is the same either way and you will get used to it in time.

Thanks! Ok, so for now I'll edge the beard when I go XTG and wait until I acquire a square point for more detailed work.

I sport a goatee and I use a spike point. I keep my goatee maybe 1/2" long. I simply pull the area I'm about to shave and stretch the skin so I can see where the line is and shave right up to it. The spike point doesn't come into play too much for me as I don't have a lot up around my nose to do. I shave up to the line and I shave away from the line. It all depends on how I feel at the moment.

This threat made me wonder, not for the first time, what the difference is between a goatee and a Van Dyke. here is it, and more:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goatee

I have a goatee and I do have an easier time with square points but not so much that I won't use a round point. I shave down the length (WTG) on the first pass, but also "in" towards the goatee, which is an XTG pass for me. Then on the second pass, I shave up the length (ATG) and that does it, mostly. I don't get quite as close near the border as elsewhere, but because my goatee isn't worn close, it doesn't show and I don't fret over it.

Dan

Originally Posted by icedog

(actually I think the chin and mustache combo is called a "vandyke" but I could be wrong).

Actually you're right...sort of. I had checked prior to the post just to make sure and wikipedia says a goatee traditionally was just the pointed chin hair though modern usage refers to the combo. It also says a vandyke traditionally was the combo with a mustache that has upturned ends, again modern usage of vandyke refers to the "circle beard" without the upturned mustache.

So all in all I have no clue. I feel though that if I started refering to what I wear as a Vandyke people will just cock their head and look at me funny.

+1 to a spike point! I even use it to trim up the sideburns nice and squarely.

I like the look of the French Fork!

You do have choices when it comes to shaving around the goatee - I tend to use the heel myself, as I found that unless I was careful the toe could sometimes dig in and nick me. Not that the heel can't do that either, but it just seemed to be easier to keep that half inch of heel on the skin rather than the half inch of toe. It felt a bit less cumbersome too, if I recall correctly.

Whatever you choose, practice and time will sort out the details.

James.