Thread: I'm keeping the beard!

I'm looking into straight razors for a few reasons:

1) Obviously way cooler than any other way of removing facial hair.
2) I love tools and any kind of gear (my other activities are rock climbing, archery, cycling, and I am pursuing a PhD in biology...it's nothing but cool equipment!)
3) If it really does provide a closer shave, then I'm in. I've had more than one lady comment on scratchiness even when it looks okay.


Here's the catch though...I have a beard and intend to keep it for the foreseeable future. Everyone says to start with the sideburns and cheek...that constitutes a large part of my beard!

Does anyone have some tips for starting out shaving just my neck?

One suggestion would be to just shave the neck area, I suppose...In all seriousness, go for it, just do the same as people have suggested and do a North to South pass on your neck instead of on one side of the face. I shave around a goatee everyday and for keeping a nice shape to a goatee (and a beard too I suppose) you can't go past a straight. I can define the edges, get into those funny little places around the mouth where only a few stray whiskers grow and shave them without harm to any other part of my goatee. Just go for it, mate. You'll have much success if you take it slow and careful and only move forward when you feel comfortable.


Mick

or you could even do like those tattooers that start out on fruit.. either way.. just shave the hairs you don't want and leave the ones you do.. no matter how bad the first shaves are.. they get better.

Good news
The words from my Barber in 1981 "Glen if yer gonna keep that crap on your face, let's at least get it straight"
"Want straight lines learn to use a Straight Razor"

I did !!!

Bad news

The bad angles that we have to use to get those straight lines are rather hard on the edges, so cutting less hair doesn't mean you get longer lasting edges

You are going to need to learn to use a spike point and you are going to need stupid sharp edges, so think extreme hollow grinds...


YMMV of course, but this is what I have learned...


Welcome to SRP let me know if I can help in anyway with shaving with a beard tips...

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Good news
The words from my Barber in 1981 "Glen if yer gonna keep that crap on your face, let's at least get it straight"
"Want straight lines learn to use a Straight Razor"

I did !!!

Bad news

The bad angles that we have to use to get those straight lines are rather hard on the edges, so cutting less hair doesn't mean you get longer lasting edges

You are going to need to learn to use a spike point and you are going to need stupid sharp edges, so think extreme hollow grinds...


YMMV of course, but this is what I have learned...


Welcome to SRP let me know if I can help in anyway with shaving with a beard tips...

Thanks for the tips, I was leaning away from a round toe anyway...not for a go0d reason, I just think they look dumb.

I was looking at this razor in the classifieds, any thoughts?

Joseph Rodgers & Sons 11/16 Square Point L@@K - Straight Razor Place Classifieds

I hear that Rodgers are good blades and, again not a good reason here, but this one is really "sharp" looking (pun way intended).

You may find you end up with a goatee.
The shaving becomes addictive and you'll want to do more than just your neck.

Originally Posted by nzFuzzy

You may find you end up with a goatee.
The shaving becomes addictive and you'll want to do more than just your neck.

It probably would want to...if I didn't look so damn good already.

I keep a "Hollywoodian" and a str8 is definately needed to keep those sides and corners perfectly straight. I used to have a Fusion and even with the puny single back blade I couldn't make perfect lines.

I find that I can keep my neck relatively clean for up to 3 days after a good shave, and my checks stay clean for up to 2 days. It's definately worth the time to shave with a str8, you won't be disappointed!

Here's a pic from when I used to keep my beard longer down my neck :-)

I have tried to grow a beard few years ago..im 31 now...I have a heavy coarse n sensitive skin...I recalled me wanting to scratch my face off with my fingers..;-)..I feel im not genetically designed for a beard even if I trim it few times a week..a goat tee also drove me mostly nuts too...hmm

pcdad

Originally Posted by nzFuzzy

You may find you end up with a goatee.
The shaving becomes addictive and you'll want to do more than just your neck.

I agree. I've been trying to shave just my neck for two years now. Everty day, I think, "Maybe today I'll shave it off." So far I haven't but, damn it's tempting.