How to bid my beard farewell

[JPDyson]

Just to be clear, when I say beard, I mean a blade hasn't touched my cheeks or chin in months, not what I've heard referred to as a "beard" by what grows back after 24 hours.

For a year or more now, I've been cutting the hair on my head and face to the same length with a standard (though, nice quality) set of clippers with a No. 1 guard. I'll let that go for a few weeks, just shaving my neckline and upper cheek with my old cartridge razor. Within about 5 to 6 weeks, I'll go over everything again with the same guard. Sometimes, a 2 in the winter months.

What I'm wondering is, in preparation for shaving my entire face (sans goatee and sideburn area, for now - baby steps) what should I do? I was thinking of just doing my typical haircut (no. 1 guard all over) and then shaving my face after that. Will that leave my beard short enough for DE shaving?

[elsmooth]

Hmm...a good question. I did something similar, and I actually took my facial hair down to the clipper without a guard...I wouldn't have wanted to start DEing without anything longer personally.

[mkevenson]

I think that you should enter this venture as a solemn moment. After much reflection and a good strong drink. This will be like saying goodby to a dear friend. Always knowing that the friend may come back and so treat this event with respect and dignity.:crying: and a tear or two is ok amoung gentlemen.

[Geordon]

Hmm...a good question. I did something similar, and I actually took my facial hair down to the clipper without a guard...I wouldn't have wanted to start DEing without anything longer personally.

When I go more than a week between shaves (lazy, I know) I don't want to even THINK about using a razor unless I've taken the trees down with a beard-trimmer... Without a guard. That way, I loose most of the bulk, and don't have much of a problem with the remaining hair.

FWIW, I tried it without trimming first... Once. :yikes: Once was more than enough. The amount of pulling and discomfort was an education, for sure. :blink:

Good luck!

[mmack66]

http://www.instructables.com/id/Fire-Shaving/

[DFrancis]

toast it goodbye with a glass of something, then definitely trim is down before razor.

[JPDyson]

http://www.instructables.com/id/Fire-Shaving/

How about "no"? Is "no" a good response to that?

[Telecaster52]

what equipment do you plan on using for your de-bearding?

[mmack66]

How about "no"? Is "no" a good response to that?

AFAIK, it is the only response. :biggrin1:

[JPDyson]

what equipment do you plan on using for your de-bearding?

I have a set of wahl clippers that I'll use sans guard to whack it down to stubble, probably the evening before i shave with my DE (Merkur Futur w/Merkur blade).

[bradyarz]

i once used a gillette old type open comb with a red personna and took off a roughly 1/2" beard no problem. after 1 wtg pass i was down to maybe 2-3 days worth of hair. 2nd pass, a ccs. after 3 passes, a dfs.