Thread: How to get rid of beard?

Hoping this is the correct forum to post a question like this...

So, I've been away from the forum for a bit and will be for a little longer, until the end of the month. I've started to grow a bit of a beard, all part of a wider thing called Movember over here. It's all with the aim of growing a mo (moustache) in order to raise money for Prostate Cancer Research.

Trouble is, at the end of the month I'll have about 3 weeks' growth to get rid of, so I'm not sure if my straight razor will go through my (very) thick whiskers. Should I trim first with scissors or something electric or get it done with the straight immediately? Feel free to answer by voting in the poll!

I should mention that my facial hair is thicker than nylon wire and I currently have a short beard even after 10 days' of growth. It's as itchy as anything as my hairs are curly! I call it the "itchy and scratchy show" though

straight only woo

I'd try to get the lather in there pretty well tho and onto the skin and not just in your beard ;p

Your straight razor is not afraid of your beard - it is the other way around

Vanquish your foe on December 1 with confidence and a sharp straight razor (you might find short strokes help)

Thanks for the confidence boost. I'm thinking 6/8 Le Grelot 1/4 grind?

I recall seeing a video on YouTube a couple of weeks ago with someone just mowing down their full beard with a straight. It seemed effortless to him. I saw another video of the Willie Byrde Hotel Barber Shop using electric clippers to knock a full beard down to stubble before the shave.

The way I see it is how well of a pre-shave prep can you get through your beard to make the straight shave comfortable.

Good prep, with a hot shower will soften the beard. Other than that, your straight will not discriminate between a stubble and a full beard(as long as it is sharp). I only have experience with about a weeks growth, but I didn't had any problems with only the straight.

Use short strokes, because the blade will get some more goo on it than usual.

Cheers and !

I shave my gotee off every couple months just to be sure my lip and chin are still there. My straight goes though it with no problem. I just use short strokes for the first pass. It usually take my 4 passes. Wack it off, WTG, XTG, and ATG.

Originally Posted by KingsRam

I recall seeing a video on YouTube a couple of weeks ago with someone just mowing down their full beard with a straight. It seemed effortless to him. I saw another video of the Willie Byrde Hotel Barber Shop using electric clippers to knock a full beard down to stubble before the shave.

The way I see it is how well of a pre-shave prep can you get through your beard to make the straight shave comfortable.

Feel free to post the video if you can find the link - appreciate that!

Just stick with the straight. Loads of beard prep, a good hot shower first and a really sharp blade plus short strokes.

Boy will that be a great shave!

Personally, I have always found it easier to use my str8 when I have about a week's worth of growth. The long my whiskers, the better. I get a closer, more thorough shave when I "let it go" for a few days. I also find it more satisfying. But as others have said, make sure that your blade is sharp enough to handle the job.