Methods for chops

Hi guys, i'm brand new here and have just ordered my first razor (its just shipping today). I've been researching and studying so i am as prepared as possible for my first shave. Love the mass amounts of information available here for the newbs like me.

Now I am not "stylish" so to speak but i am very particular about my personal style. I wear a goatee and a "chops" variation. I found the thread on suggestion on how to shave around and line up a goatee, but i haven't found anything yet on shaping and trimming chops.

Now i may be the only one here who wears chops, especially the way i cut them. They are not full lamp or muttonchops, much smaller and closer trimmed. I don't do the bushy, wooly booger thing. I shave a straight bottom edge at a slight angle that points from just below my earlobe down towards the top corners of my mouth. For the top edge, i shave a slight curve from the edge of my sideburns down to the point of the chops.

I know being as particular as my facial hair style is, i'm probably in for an even steeper learning curve than the average newbie and would appreciate all the help and suggestions i can get on this topic. Thanks guys!

I have a goatee as well and shave with large blades 6/8 or bigger. I use a shavette to trim the goatee. I like the fact that they are smaller and more aggressive making them a bit more accurate.

The shavettes are indeed smaller, but they make small straights as well. And you would be surprised at how accurate the largest straight can be- with a spike you can get single hairs! What I suggest for trimming the edges to keep them sharp and straight is shave near them, then without lather but with water, or a weak lather, just touch the straight down on the line you want to make and shave away from it. Boom perfectly straight, right where you want it.

Welcome along!
How about a photo? They sound worth seeing!

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Originally Posted by ben.mid

Welcome along!
How about a photo? They sound worth seeing!

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Haha, well they aren't epic chops or anything just have a very agressive and (when i shave) defined look to them. I'll see what i can do about a picture so you guys might be able to suggest easier. It might take a while though to get a good pic, my facial hair is very Irish light red so it doesn't show up on camera very well unless its hi-def.

Sidenote: I think this coloration is a physical trait that predisposes me to Guinness beers and irish whiskeys. :beer2: