Should it stay or should it go(atee)?

[D.A.L.U.I.]

Looks good, and now you know you've got choices.

[tomgallagher]

I agree with the Saint. It looks pretty good.

[The Noggin]

Looks very good!

[xnewyawka]

Keep the goatee, it looks good.

[zetaeffe]

Looking great both ways! 

[-Doug-]

Going back to the full beard. I don't like the goatee as much as I thought I would.

To all the beard veterans out there....is it better to shave it all off and start anew or just let the rest grow out and catch up to the current goatee?

[Sly Red]

I'd just let the sides fill in.

Red

[D.A.L.U.I.]

Going back to the full beard.

 

To all the beard veterans out there....is it better to shave it all off and start anew or just let the rest grow out and catch up to the current goatee?

The advice I give, and I speak from recent experience having made the mistake of shaving it all off in late August last year after a bad trimming accident, let it grow out and keep what you've got.  I believe you've decided at this time to keep it trimmed pretty short, so there's not much growing out to do.  I found that the stach grows more slowly than the rest, and if that's true in your case too then you'll have a more mature look quickly.  The nice thing about growing a beard is that it's nothing more than not removing it--just let nature drive the process.  
Take a look at the Rules of Beard Acquisition--some good advice and counsel--
http://jefffsbeardboard.yuku.com/topic/3688/Rules-of-Beard-Acquisition

[Daven]

you are very lucky to have a wonderful full beard.I am / was blond and gray and in the COLD winters of Arizona (lol) I grow my van dyke out to a full beard. I just trim it down to a 1 and then let the sides fill in. This winter will be my first sly so it will be interesting how it looks. My chin is the darkest, the mustache and cheeks are much grayer, I might not grow full out this year, but your face and head are GREAT with both styles. Maybe give the goatee the 30 day rule, maybe you will learn to love it as much as you love your full beard. 

[mrzed]

The contrast of your full short beard and shaved head looks great. Grow back the full beard. it looks REALLY sharp.

I've not shaved my beard off since Jan 1, 1980.  I just trim it and let it fill in as necessary.  Wife says, "don't you dare sahve of the beard. I won't know who you are! (She has never seen me without a beard).

[baldjoeg]

I liked the beard but like the van dyke on you too. You have a great shine on your head too. I like it. When you had the full beard, did it itch at all?

[-Doug-]

...When you had the full beard, did it itch at all?

Yes, but only for the initial growing in period. After a while it only itched every now and then.

[mrzed]

When you had the full beard, did it itch at all?

Well, back in 1980 when I was growing my beard it was a little itchy in the 2nd week or so ... but never again.  Had the beard 31 years now.

[baldbearded]

Looks awesome!

[outsider82]

When i've switched from a goatee back to a full beard, I usually let the sides grow in and neaten it up. Stops people thinking you're just being lazy.