Thread: Shaving Around Goatee

Originally Posted by xdman09

What I do is get close enough so it doesnt get in there and then do a sideways stroke starting at the goatee line and going out toward my ear. I have thought of all kinds of crazy strokes (like going cross handed with the toe closest to the goatee line and then continuing the doward stroke, but being new I think better of trying any contorted cross-handed silliness.

Any input appreciated and thank you in advance. Sorry for the long post.

I simply use my left hand to shave my right side along the line of the beard, then switch. You really have to get comfortable using both hands on either side. For instance, I was able to get a BBS shave all over but for two spots along both sides of my adams apple. The hair grows upward from the base of the neck toward the ear on an angle. The only way to angle the razor properly to catch these hairs ATG was to switch hands – left shaving the right, right shaving the left. Its awkward at first but you quickly get the hang of it.

First thing is it sounds to me like perhaps the heel end of the edge is not sharp enough? Perhaps I am misunderstanding what you mean.

If I use the heel against my goatee I just angle the razor outwards - the point of the blade off the face and an inch or so of the heel end against the skin. However, you can always do the same thing with the tip of the blade by changing hands - left hand on left side of the face, right hand on right.

I stretch the skin away from the goatee as well - pull the skin of your cheek toward the top of the ear so that the goatee actually moves and you will see what I mean. You get a cleaner line that way.

Finally, check out some of the videos in the videos section of the forum. There are a few in there of men with goatees and I even have one somewhere, although it was not intended as a goatee shaving tutorial. Those videos may give you some visual ideas on the best way for you to approach yours.

Good luck.

James.

I always use the heel to shave around my goatee. I do my sideburns and side of my face area first, then sort of sweep in towards the goatee, I stop when I feel the resistance of the blade up against the goatee rather than see it. I then use the heel to cut down around the outline of the goatee (chin area). I prefer razors with nice square heels for this.

I shaved it all off a while ago as I felt I needed to shave my entire face with a straight at least once! (it's all back now). My 'goatee' is three separate bits; moustache, soul patch and goatee; none joined to the other...

well the best way to shave a goatee is to lock it's head in a stanchion and cut it down with shears then dry shave it.

oh wait, that is how to shave a goat...

nevermind.

jim

Yeah, I just do the regular WTG and get in within a few mm's of the edges with the heel, then use the blade to shave into the goatee and go by feel as Carl has stated, then I do the standard ATG and come in within 1mm with the toe of the razor aling the sides. Underneath and on the curve to the sides are done by feel and that's good enough for me.


Mick

I have never watched a goatee shaving tutorial as you can tell by the following. I lay the razor over my goatee and shave to my sideburns. If I decide to go the other way I use my left hand on the right side. Sideburn to goatee. Along my jawline I go under my sideburn and turn going down my neck. A good transition. I have a harder time right handed going up on the right side of my neck using my right hand so I usually use the left. Whatever works for you but don't make it harder than it is.

Tim

Some good advice here so far, I've not much to add. For the record I currently wear a goatee (I guess you'd call it an oversized goatee), and have off and on for many years, so I do understand what it's like.

If the fancy has struck you I'd recommend shaving it off at least to see what it's like. You can always grow it back...

My hair on the sides of my goatee grows kind of down and out toward my ears, so my first pass has to be either down or out toward my ears, otherwise it is almost going Against The Grain and is not the most comfortable. Thanks for all the input everyone, it definately gives me some ideas.

Shaving around a goatee with a straight is easy. The length of your beard hair will dictate how you will need to approach 'cutting it in'. With longer beard hair you may bea able to get away with a straight down stroke to make the edges look clean. Short beard hair may require going in a better angle and get atg to get that nice crisp clean lines your hoping for. Good luck with that.

PS: i had a goatee for years and years, now i switch the facial hair up from a chin strap to a fu manchoo. the change is nice, some what unexpected and is a good way to 'change your look' with out changing your look. Getting rid of the goatee is just a matter of that, getting rid of it.... once you take that leap it opens a whole new world....... you'll see....

I don't have a goatee, but for the past year have had a full beard to trim around. I have used my straight almost daily for about 6 years. I think the general principle would be to get more comfortable shaving with both hands and then practice going wtg, xtg and atg using both hands. In a few weeks, you will develop your own technique that works for you, your face and your goatee. Everyone is going to do it a little differently so just get comfortable exploring how to do it on your own as often as you can. Remember, success will be ultimately measured in the number of shaves you do, not how many posts you read or write. -Scott