# Gentlemen, tell me about beards. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 30, 2008, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gentlemen-tell-me-about-beards/451099 "2008-05-30T03:39:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2008, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gentlemen-tell-me-about-beards/451099/1 "2008-05-30T03:39:28Z")
The story: I’m on vacation. I have to shave for work. Being that I’m on holiday, I haven’t shaved since last Friday morning (it’s nigh on seven nights now) and I’m planning on going clear through until Sunday. Being that I’ve got this new beard thing (which I don’t think looks half bad), I’ve got a few questions. 1. I reckon most guys need a good couple of weeks to grow a decent beard, but how long is the average? And when you get to that point. . . 2. . . . how do you trim it? I’ve been using a razor just to clean up around the fledgling ‘William T. Riker’ thing, but how do you trim it when it gets a little longer? 3. At which point underneath your chin do you clean up–i.e. where on the neckline is considered ‘fashionable’ to clean shave underneath your beard. So, [here’s what it looked like yesterday](http://s43.photobucket.com/albums/e396/TriplerSDMB/?action=view¤t=VisitingLauraandotherPicturesMay292.jpg). Apparently, on ‘Day 6’ one sprouts a 3-year old with a beard. That was an unexpected side effect. . . Tripler More pictures may follow. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2008, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gentlemen-tell-me-about-beards/451099/2 "2008-05-30T03:43:55Z")
Get yourself one of [these](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00009RF1E). Set it for 3 or 4. I run with a goat, which means I keep a much tighter rein on my facial fuzz. ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2008, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gentlemen-tell-me-about-beards/451099/3 "2008-05-30T03:44:32Z")
Every week I trim my beard with a #3 and my mo with a #2, and shave my neck with a standard disposable razor. I use a beard trimmer; used to be a Braun but it died and a Wahl was the next best I could find. ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2008, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gentlemen-tell-me-about-beards/451099/4 "2008-05-30T03:53:10Z")
Oh, I forgot to ask earlier: it itches like nobody’s business right now. Will it quit itching as it grows longer? Tripler ::scritch:: ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2008, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gentlemen-tell-me-about-beards/451099/5 "2008-05-30T03:58:43Z")
As long as the itching is due to the unfamiliar feel and not dandruff, tinea, or allergy to your shaving substances, yes. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2008, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gentlemen-tell-me-about-beards/451099/6 "2008-05-30T04:39:36Z")
Well, here are my answers: 1. Two or three weeks, I’d say. Mine was nicely full at two weeks, and downright bushy at three. I never grew a three-year-old though. 2. As others have said (see especially **silenus** ’ link), use a beard trimmer once a week. You may want to experiment a bit to find the setting that’s right for you, but it’s an easy way to keep it neat and trim. 3. Tough call–that’s really up to you. Every year or so, I visit a barber for a proper beard trim, and he gives me a nice line under there. I try to keep to it when I do my own trims. This system works pretty well–for me, anyway. As for the itching, it’s probably just that you’re not used to it. Give it time. ---
**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2008, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gentlemen-tell-me-about-beards/451099/7 "2008-05-30T04:42:33Z")
Well, there was a Seinfeld episode about it, where Elaine has tickets to _Swan Lake_ and tries to get Robert to switch teams… …ohhhh, _that_ kind of beard. (For what it’s worth, I think you look good with the beard. :)) ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2008, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gentlemen-tell-me-about-beards/451099/8 "2008-05-30T04:52:08Z")
I had a beard for 18 years. I find that being clean-shaven is actually less work, since you still have to shave to keep your beard neat. I used an electric trimmer to keep my beard short, but it’s easy to let is creep longer and longer by accident. It’s also really easy to nick it, and make yourself look a little funny until it grows back… ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2008, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gentlemen-tell-me-about-beards/451099/9 "2008-05-30T05:26:27Z")
I’ve had one on and off for a dozen years or so, and find the electric trimmer much easier than what I was first using: scissors. That was tough to keep everything even, but they didn’t sell trimmers here in Japan back then. Because I trim it [fairly short](http://flickr.com/photos/90901585@N00/2441921801/), then it will start itching if I’m not able to trim it for some reason, like when I’m on a trip. For the line under the chin, then you just need to play around with it and find what looks good for you. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2008, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gentlemen-tell-me-about-beards/451099/10 "2008-05-30T12:20:21Z")
Don’t forget to look for the lone hair or two growing away from where you normally shave to keep the beard trimmed. you may find that you were keeping an oddball shaved off that you now are missing during trimming. One day you’ll notice an inch long hair growing on your upper cheek and think how in the hell did I miss that. ---
**Author:** ![onedayfishsale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onedayfishsale/32/4398_2.png) [@onedayfishsale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/onedayfishsale)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2008, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gentlemen-tell-me-about-beards/451099/11 "2008-05-30T12:33:24Z")
I also recommend the trimmer **silenus** linked to. It comes with an adjustable guard that makes it easy to get a uniform length. I also use it, without the guard, to clean up my neck and catch any strays on my upper cheeks. As far as “edging” underneath the chin, I more-or-less shoot for just above where the underside of my chin/jaw starts to meet my neck. With an electric trimmer, it’s easy enough to move up a little at a time, so just try it and see what you think. It will be itchy until you get used to the feeling. I think it took me a couple of months, but I don’t notice it at all now. I initially got a few ingrown hairs as well, but that seems to have tapered off completely, for whatever reason. ---
**Author:** ![chaoticbear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@chaoticbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chaoticbear)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2008, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gentlemen-tell-me-about-beards/451099/12 "2008-05-30T12:58:12Z")
It’s a bit late at this point, but my beard-growing strategy is to just let it go and do its thing for a week or so, then trim the edges as desired. Also, I know you didn’t ask for opinions, but as one of the boards resident experts on burly men, I say keep the beard. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![shiftless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9c0ed/32.png) [@shiftless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shiftless)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2008, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gentlemen-tell-me-about-beards/451099/13 "2008-05-30T13:05:34Z")
I will second (or third or fourth) the trimmer recommendation. Get one before you start looking like Tip Van Winkle, unless that’s what you’re going for. I use a different brand but that one looks good - and father’s day is coming up! As for the itching - it nevers stops (just kidding). It’s the price us beard wearers pay for our beauty. ---
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2008, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gentlemen-tell-me-about-beards/451099/14 "2008-05-30T13:33:22Z")
I think he looks awesome and rugged with the beard, which is good because I’m married to him and getting his scruffier-by-the-day kisses. He moisturized after shaving every day and since he’s not shaving there’s no moisturizing going on. Maybe if he used some lotion after a shower there’d be less itching? ---
**Author:** ![Rocketeer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocketeer/32/4437_2.png) [@Rocketeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rocketeer)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2008, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gentlemen-tell-me-about-beards/451099/15 "2008-05-30T14:41:00Z")
[QUOTE=One Day Fish Sale] …As far as “edging” underneath the chin, I more-or-less shoot for just above where the underside of my chin/jaw starts to meet my neck. With an electric trimmer, it’s easy enough to move up a little at a time, so just try it and see what you think. [/QUOTE] I trim just aft of the jawline, so the underside of my jaw and my neck are clean-shaven. Sort of like Abe Lincoln. You want it to look like you have a strong and manly chin, not like you’re standing chin-deep in a shrubbery. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Kuboydal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecb155/32.png) [@Kuboydal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kuboydal)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2008, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gentlemen-tell-me-about-beards/451099/16 "2008-05-30T14:57:13Z")
I tend the edges of mine with scissors and go for the respectable bush hogging almost once a month. I’ve learned to plan at least a week of growth in advance before any important occasion to compensate for the occasional ‘sneezing while electric trimming’ effect. My beard was due to a major bathroom renovation. Although I had the new toilet and surrounding floor installed the same day, much of the summer had passed before the sink, shower, floors and walls were replaced (outdoor showers are wonderful.) By the time I plumbed the new sink and hung the mirror, I discovered I had a beard and my morning maintenance time could be lessened to the occasional swoop with a disposable. ---
**Author:** ![TheLoadedDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@TheLoadedDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheLoadedDog)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2008, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gentlemen-tell-me-about-beards/451099/17 "2008-05-30T15:14:59Z")
[QUOTE=Tripler] Oh, I forgot to ask earlier: it itches like nobody’s business right now. Will it quit itching as it grows longer? [/QUOTE] I’d like to know how common this is. I hear about it, but I never itch. Am I in the minority, or are you? I have designer stubble at two days, look like a derelict at about four, and have a beard in a week or a week and a bit. I had a full beard for nearly twenty years, and used to shave it close to the chinline underneath (but I don’t know what’s considered proper or fashionable. That was just how I liked it). I’m clean shaven now I’m going grey. I always assured myself I wouldn’t care if I went grey early - and now that it’s happening, I still don’t. But that’s for my hair, and I hadn’t thought about the beard. Now that my beard has a lot of white in it (but not enough to look like a distinguished philosopher), the “looking like a street bum” part doesn’t go away. So now I’m clean shaven. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2008, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gentlemen-tell-me-about-beards/451099/18 "2008-05-30T15:52:19Z")
[QUOTE=Tripler] 1. I reckon most guys need a good couple of weeks to grow a decent beard, but how long is the average? And when you get to that point. . . 2. . . . how do you trim it? I’ve been using a razor just to clean up around the fledgling ‘William T. Riker’ thing, but how do you trim it when it gets a little longer? 3. At which point underneath your chin do you clean up–i.e. where on the neckline is considered ‘fashionable’ to clean shave underneath your beard. [/QUOTE] 4. Takes me a couple of weeks to regrow when I am forced to shave it. 2/3. For the record, I shave my neck to just below the jaw line, below my lower lip (the dreaded ‘soul patch’ zone - because on me those hairs tend to stick straight out) and my cheeks. I trim length with a comb and a pair of scissors. No big deal. I have an electric razor. I use the beard trimmer to actually, you know, trim the beard. I find that it is a lot more effective to use the trimmer to shave off the long hairs, then clean up the remaining stubble with the normal shaving heads. Even on the normally shaved parts of my neck, since I don’t shave every day, it works better to rake over it with the trimmer to remove all the longer hairs before shaving the stubble. When I was forced to shave for a job a few years back, it finally sunk in how much I would idly play with my beard. My hand would go up and…nothing. I also found that I itched MORE shortly after I lost the beard, which tended to prove the “it itches because your face isn’t used to it” theory. ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2008, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gentlemen-tell-me-about-beards/451099/19 "2008-05-30T16:24:29Z")
1. I imagine it varies—I started growing one mid-summer, when I was 18. By Christmas, I was starting to look like [Igor Kurchatov](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igor_Kurchatov). (At around the same time the following year, I was once asked if I was a mennonite. It wasn’t _that_ much longer, I don’t think.) 2. I don’t wear it as long, now—it’s shorter on the sides, and not as long in the front—but I only have it trimmed when I get my hair cut. So about every two months. I shave a little on my cheeks and on my neck, in the shower. Mostly by feel. 3. When I lean my head straight down, I don’t like to feel stubble much higher than my collarbone. I don’t know about fashion, but it’s uncomfortable. ---
**Author:** ![Canadjun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/76d3ee/32.png) [@Canadjun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Canadjun)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2008, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gentlemen-tell-me-about-beards/451099/20 "2008-05-30T16:43:58Z")
[QUOTE=silenus] I run with a goat, which means I keep a much tighter rein on my facial fuzz. [/QUOTE] Kinky! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gentlemen-tell-me-about-beards/451099.md?page=2)