New Goat--How Long, How Long

• New Goat--How Long, How Long by D.A.L.U.I. on 24 Feb, 2009 16:45
• Okay, I'm back into doing the goat and moustache stuff--for about the fourth time in six months.  I stopped shaving in the goat area on the 12th, and it's obvious now that I'm not just on a shaving holiday.  I'm also using Just For Men--I have a nasty curb side in March grey--to kept it a nice medium brown.  Question one, how long until a goat and M becomes something to trim, Beards.org says one month, and two How long should I let it get, a #2, #3 or should I vary the length on different parts in a trim routine. 
  I'm getting a lot of positive reactions to the new growth, even She Who Must Be Obeyed admitted at a Carnival Lunch in front of friends that although she still thought the head looked--forgive me guys but this is my wife's somewhat strict opinion--like white trash, she liked the beard.  So although I had personal thoughts of getting rid of it, at least this personal choice met with her approval.  I would like it to be more full, thicker than most without becoming a Fu Man Chu type of thing. 
  Any of the bearded brothers have any suggestions for trimming and when and how?  Sorry about the wife, she's really stuck in the 60's and 70's.  The fact is, I've never told her about this place because I fear her reaction. 
• #1 by Rob on 24 Feb, 2009 17:24
• I, too am growing a goat, without the moustache at the moment (though that may well follow along again eventually) and so although I can't really give you advice, I'd be interested to hear what the other bro's have to say. 
  
  I'm sort of dictated to regards shape and size, because some parts of my beard are a little sparse, so I can only really manage a goat.  I'm experimenting with length at the moment and seeing how long I 'dare' grow it!!
• #2 by Brkeatr on 24 Feb, 2009 17:54
• Everyone has different tastes with the length of their facial hair. I have had my goat at various lengths over the years. Right now I have had a goat for about 4 years because my wife prefers me with it. I tried growing it out a little last fall and the wife just didn't like it long. I keep mine around a number 1 long. I use regular barber clippers to trim it and usually trim around 2x a week. I am however, NOT ALLOWED to color the goat as my wife and other female friends say they like the grey because it looks more distinguished.... ....
• #3 by DCdome on 24 Feb, 2009 18:57
• I usually wear a short goat (about #1).  Recently, I have grown it a little wider than I had been wearing it.  I sometimes shave it off in the summer if the summer is proving to be a really warm one.  Usually, though, I keep it year round.  Since it is grey it is hard to pick up on my avatar, but if you look closely you can see it.
  
  There are many styles of goats and which one is for you depends on many factors:  your personal taste and that of your wife  , growth pattern, shape of face are some of the more important ones.  So why not just grow one, let us see the results and then you can get better feedback.  Also, probably best to start off with a "full" goatee since you can then trim and fashion it as you like.
  
  Goats and domes are a great combo on most men.
• #4 by Razor X on 24 Feb, 2009 19:26
• A lot depends on how dense your growth is.   If there are areas that are a little sparse, you'll want to let it go a little longer so less skin shows through.  If it's nice and thick, the stubble look usually works well.  The longest I ever went without trimming was six weeks.
• #5 by SlyHigh on 25 Feb, 2009 06:40
• My beard trimmer measures in millimeters.  If I don't  have a stache, I'll usually trim it to 3mm.  With a stache, which I don't use the trimmers on (I let it grow out and trim it with scissors at the top of my lip), it looks better with the goat a littler longer at 6mm.
  
  Sometimes I'll let it get longer and bush out, but it doesn't look as good.