Will my beard have to go?

Ok, I've been bought a Dovo Special by my wife for my 30th after banging on about how good a shave my grandad used get and how little if any razor rash/burn he used to get.

Cartridges/disposables tear my face up. I have a thick beard and they clog so quickly, as a result my face and neck get ripped to shreds.

I've tried every method of preperation I can and have just settled on what I was taught to do except I have a shower or a bath first where family men used to use a hot wet flanel/towel.
I then use a nice oil with menthol in it and apply the cream in a circular motion to begin with massaging right in for a wee while before ensuring an even coating.

The above taken into account I couldn't bear shaving on a daily basis so grew a beard which is 'shaved in' every couple of days.

I've come to quite like my beard now but I'm wondering if it may be a bridge too far for a newbie to stright razors to try and shape a beard.

Thoughts?

A pertinent question seeing we are just out of Movember and well asked, Dave.

I've been at this for a couple of years and had an interesting time sculpting around the MO - much more difficult than I thought it would be. I even got my 4/8th's out of 'retirement' for the task.

You should find that using a cut-throat is kinder on your face, if you decide to ditch the beard.

Perhaps to start with, try just sculpting it a bit and, if you make a mistake, then take it off.

The good thing about whiskers is that, most of the time, they will grow back.

Let us know how you go

Trouble is I honestly can't remember what I looked like without one, I know I had hair on my head which has since relocated.

I can see it being an interesting day when it comes out for it's first go.

Pictures if it goes well :D

It's _easy_ to trim a beard with a DE razor. They're not quite as precise as a straight, but (IMHO) much more precise than a cartridge.

. Charles

It can be tricky depending on which bits you're looking to trim up, whether you're trimming in serious curved areas or straight lines, etc. But I'm sure that if you take your time, work methodically, and DON"T RUSH (sorry for shouting, but that bit's key!!) you'll probably be fine.

Back when I used to have a goatee I found trimming the side opposite my dominant hand was difficult. But that was mainly to my one-handed approach to straight shaving. If I had taught myself to use both hands, it probably wouldn't have been an issue. Perhaps this will be a good opportunity to *really* focus on technique.

But as Havachat said, you're dealing with a renewable resource there, so if you do a really botched job, nae drama! It will come back. :)

Good luck!

EDIT: I forgot to say this could be a great opportunity to mess with loved ones. If you do shave it off, don't just whack the whole shebang off in one go. Have some fun with it: take the opportunity to carve it into a completely out-of-character monument to facial hair silliness, and tell people that it is just the new you. Hours of fun... :)

I wish I could grow a beard, I only have sideburns and under the chin/neck and moustache but not much hair on the cheeks, although it is quite coarse. it just looks dirty when I don't shave it I can't shape it or anything has to just all come off.

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Originally Posted by Cangooner

It can be tricky depending on which bits you're looking to trim up, whether you're trimming in serious curved areas or straight lines, etc. But I'm sure that if you take your time, work methodically, and DON"T RUSH (sorry for shouting, but that bit's key!!) you'll probably be fine.

Back when I used to have a goatee I found trimming the side opposite my dominant hand was difficult. But that was mainly to my one-handed approach to straight shaving. If I had taught myself to use both hands, it probably wouldn't have been an issue. Perhaps this will be a good opportunity to *really* focus on technique.

But as Havachat said, you're dealing with a renewable resource there, so if you do a really botched job, nae drama! It will come back. :)

Good luck!

EDIT: I forgot to say this could be a great opportunity to mess with loved ones. If you do shave it off, don't just whack the whole shebang off in one go. Have some fun with it: take the opportunity to carve it into a completely out-of-character monument to facial hair silliness, and tell people that it is just the new you. Hours of fun... :)

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I'm looking to do gentle curves from the side burns to the top lip as my beard goes quite a way up my face.

Love the suggestion of messing around with the styling. My boss isn't the biggest fan of facial hair and just about tolerates a well groomed beard. I think I could tip him over the edge with a wacky effort.

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Originally Posted by saitou

I wish I could grow a beard, I only have sideburns and under the chin/neck and moustache but not much hair on the cheeks, although it is quite coarse. it just looks dirty when I don't shave it I can't shape it or anything has to just all come off.

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It's a bit of a pain in the bottom sometimes TBH. I work with guys who can just let it grow and it looks decent, not too high up the cheeks or down the neck.

That said I may go hairless if the razor treats my skin a little better than what I've tried in the past.

It is nice to be able to grow one. Generally on long periods off work (holidays) I won't shave as it still hurts my kneck. I end up looking like a balding yeti!

The way I figure it is that we only have so many hormones and if people want to waste theirs growing beards that's up to them........:rofl2:

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Originally Posted by Havachat45

The way I figure it is that we only have so many hormones and if people want to waste theirs growing beards that's up to them........:rofl2:

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I've never thought of it like that. Beard off and regain for men in the bin :D

@ Dave. With your history don't try shaving with a factory edge. Get someone to ready the blade first.
I know there are a few guys in the UK can help with that. Neil Miller jumps to mind.

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Originally Posted by onimaru55

@ Dave. With your history don't try shaving with a factory edge. Get someone to ready the blade first.
I know there are a few guys in the UK can help with that. Neil Miller jumps to mind.

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Thanks for the advice, do you know of any contact details?

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Originally Posted by DaveTheGeordie

Thanks for the advice, do you know of any contact details?

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You can pm via his profile

http://straightrazorpalace.com/members/neil-miller.html

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Originally Posted by onimaru55

You can pm via his profile

http://straightrazorpalace.com/members/neil-miller.html

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Nice! Thank you very much :D

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Originally Posted by onimaru55

You can pm via his profile

http://straightrazorpalace.com/members/neil-miller.html

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Or contact him through his web site...

Strop-Shop.Co.UK

Interesting post. I had a beard for a short time and took up SR shaving to trim up the beard and then I really got interested in SR shaving so I shaved off my beard left my goatee and I have been hooked on SR shaving since April 2011. Starting out, I tortured myself with a shavette until my wife purchased my first Dovo from SRD to give me for our anniversary.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DaveTheGeordie

Ok, I've been bought a Dovo Special by my wife for my 30th after banging on about how good a shave my grandad used get and how little if any razor rash/burn he used to get.

Cartridges/disposables tear my face up. I have a thick beard and they clog so quickly, as a result my face and neck get ripped to shreds.

I've tried every method of preperation I can and have just settled on what I was taught to do except I have a shower or a bath first where family men used to use a hot wet flanel/towel.
I then use a nice oil with menthol in it and apply the cream in a circular motion to begin with massaging right in for a wee while before ensuring an even coating.

The above taken into account I couldn't bear shaving on a daily basis so grew a beard which is 'shaved in' every couple of days.

I've come to quite like my beard now but I'm wondering if it may be a bridge too far for a newbie to stright razors to try and shape a beard.

Thoughts?

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I like the idea of keeping the beard but like I said earlier that if the blade treats my face right I may go hairless. I said on my introduction post I have skin so sensitive that I'm worried to talk about it incase it gets upset :D

My wife has been poking around the forum, I'm a bit excited and she wants to know what the fuss is about, and has told me she never liked my beard :eek:

I did have a gotee for a little while but ended up looking a bit like ming the merciless and the guys at work didn't try to be subtle in the way they communicated this, puts me off it a bit.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DaveTheGeordie

I did have a gotee for a little while but ended up looking a bit like ming the merciless and the guys at work didn't try to be subtle in the way they communicated this, puts me off it a bit.

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We have a way of dealing with that situation in Australia - we say 'Stuff 'Em'