# Hey Beardos: How do you trim your beard? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 19, 2006, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-beardos-how-do-you-trim-your-beard/357398 "2006-05-19T13:55:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![carterba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/85e7bf/32.png) [@carterba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carterba)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2006, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-beardos-how-do-you-trim-your-beard/357398/1 "2006-05-19T13:55:42Z")
I grew a beard about five months ago. I’ve grown a beard for short times before, and I’ve often had a goatee and/or sideburns, but this is the longest I’ve ever had a full beard. I mainly grew it because I hate shaving and I figured, if I hate it so much, why do it? But what nobody told me is that trimming the thing is at least as much a hassle as shaving was. I had a $20 electric beard trimmer from Wal-Mart. It worked fine at first, but its performance has been degrading. Lately it has taken a lot of prodding just to get the blade to start moving, and then my hairs get caught in it and get pulled out instead of cut. Yesterday I got so frustrated that I slammed it on the countertop, splitting it in two. It was quite satisfying, but now I can’t trim my unruly beard. So those of you with beards: how do you keep them trim? Do you use the electric trimmers? Is it worth it to get the super-deluxe models instead of the cheap ones? And how often do you trim? My schedule has been somewhere between once a week to once every other week. For those that don’t trim, how do you deal with all the rogue hairs getting into your mouth, or brushing the bottoms of your ears, or making your neck look dirty? Or do you not have those problems? ---
**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 19, 2006, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-beardos-how-do-you-trim-your-beard/357398/2 "2006-05-19T14:21:12Z")
Electric trimmer. I just buy whatever they have at Walgreen’s and dump it when the blades get dull. I generally run a #4 comb, and trim every week or so. ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2006, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-beardos-how-do-you-trim-your-beard/357398/3 "2006-05-19T14:22:19Z")
I have an electric trimmer that cost about $18 from Target. It has a few removable attachments like comb-shaped guards and a nose/ear hair trimmer. I like keeping my beard short and neat, just about an inch wide from my sideburns down and around my chin. I use the comb-guard attachment set on a “3” to trim it, and then shave my neck, cheeks, and chin with a regular disposable razor and shaving cream. I also keep the attached mustache short and neat and buzz off wild hairs, and maintain a neat little soul patch. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2006, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-beardos-how-do-you-trim-your-beard/357398/4 "2006-05-19T14:24:50Z")
Maybe I’m lucky. I get my beard trimmed once a month at the hairdressers, when I have my hair cut (they use setting number 2 on the trimmer). That’s it. No problems with hairs in mouth or any other stuff. ---
**Author:** ![caveman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/caveman/32/7242_2.png) [@caveman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/caveman)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2006, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-beardos-how-do-you-trim-your-beard/357398/5 "2006-05-19T15:06:52Z")
I use one of [these](http://www.consumer.philips.com/catalog/T7/T765_60_webImageFullSize.jpg), and it has held up well over the past 2 years or so. I also remove the guard and use it to shave my head when it gets shaggy. ---
**Author:** ![swampbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampbear/32/467_2.png) [@swampbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampbear)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2006, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-beardos-how-do-you-trim-your-beard/357398/6 "2006-05-19T15:07:30Z")
Like **Silenus** I use a number 4 and trim weekly. I like to keep my beard neatly trimmed. The best trimmer I’ve had was a Wahl trimmer. It died and I can’t find one like it right now. ☹ I bought a cheap one from Wally\*World which is ok, but it ain’t like my Wahl was. ---
**Author:** ![Firebringer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f04885/32.png) [@Firebringer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Firebringer)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2006, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-beardos-how-do-you-trim-your-beard/357398/7 "2006-05-19T15:27:18Z")
I’ve had a beard for 10 years or so. I tend to use a combination of scissors and electric trimmer. Have sort of a routine of semi regular trimming edges etc interspereed with proper trims to quite short. Find the scissors better for my mustache. I find the plastic guard on the electric trimmers that let you trim to a set length particularly helpful since it avoids ‘bald’ spots developing as you go too close. Also from experience not something you want to do whilst under the influence of alcohol. On a slight side issue I’ve noticed that as I’ve grown a bit older (31) that my beard is going greyer a fair bit quicker than my hair. ---
**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 19, 2006, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-beardos-how-do-you-trim-your-beard/357398/8 "2006-05-19T15:59:00Z")
> [@Firebringer](#): > > On a slight side issue I’ve noticed that as I’ve grown a bit older (31) that my beard is going greyer a fair bit quicker than my hair. “Just For Men” beard dye. Get it a color lighter than your shade and only leave it in for 5 minutes instead of 10-15. It mutes the grey without looking obviously dyed. Repeat as necessary. I generally do it after every other trim. ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2006, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-beardos-how-do-you-trim-your-beard/357398/9 "2006-05-19T16:03:17Z")
I also use a beard trimmer, a Wahl which IIRC cost me around $30 in my local (non-chain) drugstore. It’s worked great for years. ---
**Author:** ![Improv\_Geek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b3f665/32.png) [@Improv\_Geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Improv_Geek)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2006, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-beardos-how-do-you-trim-your-beard/357398/10 "2006-05-19T16:09:38Z")
I’ve kept a goatee since last July/September. I let it grow for a while and finally got a beard trimmer. Slowly I’ve been shortening it as we went, until I settled on a 3. Now I trim it every few days, usually when I shave (I don’t shave daily). ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2006, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-beardos-how-do-you-trim-your-beard/357398/11 "2006-05-19T17:16:58Z")
I also have had a Wahl for many years. Still works great, no blade dulling that I can tell. Note that before each use you put _sewing machine oil_ on the blades. Mine came with a small tube which I regularly refill. No _not_ use 3-in-1 oil, WD-40 or any of the other cheap gum-up “lubricants”. ---
**Author:** ![Ol\_Gaffer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Ol\_Gaffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ol_Gaffer)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2006, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-beardos-how-do-you-trim-your-beard/357398/12 "2006-05-19T17:33:43Z")
I’ve worn a beard for about 12 years now and I use beard scissors and a comb. I tried using a trimmer a couple of times but didn’t like it. I probably trim once a month or so when Mrs. Gaffer “comments” on its length. ---
**Author:** ![FilmGeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@FilmGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FilmGeek)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2006, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-beardos-how-do-you-trim-your-beard/357398/13 "2006-05-19T17:42:27Z")
A. has a full beard (or did, until yesterday). He trims it once a month with a wahl trimmer. He shaves the ‘edges’ (neck and upper cheeks) every two days or so. It’ll look bad if you just let the edges go rather than keeping it trim. [This is a good shot](http://www.flickr.com/photos/32477622@N00/142476473/in/set-72057594128587787/) of his neatly trimmed beard. ---
**Author:** ![mrklutz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ebca7d/32.png) [@mrklutz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mrklutz)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2006, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-beardos-how-do-you-trim-your-beard/357398/14 "2006-05-19T18:24:48Z")
I trim mine weekly (#4 setting) with a Norelco. I shave my neck below my beard about twice a week. An inexpensive trimmer usually lasts me a few years. Fresh batteries (or rechargables that still hold a good charge) make a big difference. ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2006, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-beardos-how-do-you-trim-your-beard/357398/15 "2006-05-19T18:29:32Z")
I have had a beard/goatee most of my adult life. I realized early on that I am not good at trimming it, so I do not. When things get too weird, I shave. And start anew. There have been times when I’ve had a ZZ Top goatee, and other times when a 5 o’clock shadow was it. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2006, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-beardos-how-do-you-trim-your-beard/357398/16 "2006-05-19T18:36:53Z")
I use three items to keep it neat and trim. First, a regular razor to shave the outline. For me that’s upper cheek, neck and two little symmetric areas between my chin and lower lip. This I do every day. Then I run an electric beard trimmer preset to a certain length across everything except for my moustache, which is very full and much longer than the rest. I’ll pop the preset off and straightcut the moustache bottom level to my lip. Then I’ll take a nice, very sharp, small pair of scissors and trim the strays, especially below my jaw so that my shirt collar won’t kick and fluff any areas up. The trimmer and scissors I do as needed, about every third day or so. ---
**Author:** ![Ichbin\_Dubist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/51bf81/32.png) [@Ichbin\_Dubist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ichbin_Dubist)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2006, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-beardos-how-do-you-trim-your-beard/357398/17 "2006-05-19T19:22:52Z")
I guess I’m the only Luddite who trims it with a pair of scissors. I find it oddly satisfying. It must sound like shaving with a clamshell to you guys. I was once in a band with a guy who would have a goatee for about 2 or 3 months, shave it off, grow it out for 3 months, shave it off, etc. When I asked him why he hirsuitically vacillated so, he said that he would always make a bald spot trimming it and shave it clean to start over. ---
**Author:** ![Ol\_Gaffer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Ol\_Gaffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ol_Gaffer)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2006, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-beardos-how-do-you-trim-your-beard/357398/18 "2006-05-19T19:26:40Z")
> [@Ichbin Dubist](#): > > I guess I’m the only Luddite who trims it with a pair of scissors. I find it oddly satisfying. It must sound like shaving with a clamshell to you guys. You and me both brother (see post #12 above). (now where’s that bearded smiley when you need one) ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2006, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-beardos-how-do-you-trim-your-beard/357398/19 "2006-05-19T20:57:01Z")
Oh, definitely avoid rechargable/battery-powered ones. Stick to AC only if possible. Even if it has the option of AC or battery use, some models require a working battery inside in order to work even off AC. (The battery is used as a load regulator.) I have seen some regular shavers with soldered in AA batteries. The people who design those spend eternity in Bad Engineers Hell. ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2006, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-beardos-how-do-you-trim-your-beard/357398/20 "2006-05-19T21:46:34Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > I also have had a Wahl for many years. Still works great, no blade dulling that I can tell. > > Note that before each use you put _sewing machine oil_ on the blades. Mine came with a small tube which I regularly refill. No _not_ use 3-in-1 oil, WD-40 or any of the other cheap gum-up “lubricants”. It always amused me that I would periodically order “Wahl Oil”. Made me feel like Ahab or something. I love mine, I’ve had it for 20 years. The blades went just a few years ago. My hairdresser, ( like the one in Astoria who ordered me a professional grade one, not one sold over the counter in any store ), ordered me a fresh set from his parts supplier. And of course, that little white tube of Wahl Oil. 🙂 The toothbrush I sacrificed so long ago to help with cleaning out cut hairs? It’s doing just fine. Cartooniverse [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-beardos-how-do-you-trim-your-beard/357398.md?page=2)