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I'm a Lumberjack and I'm OK!
jim102864
Master
in Tobacco Talk
I'm not a lumberjack but I am OK, and for really the first time in my life, I've decided to grow a beard. I'm at the point where I think I need the proper grooming items such as beard wash, balm and/or oil, etc. Any of you bearded brothers out there have any suggestions for product that you use that works well? I noticed The Country Squire offers the Mississippi Mane line for beards. Has anyone tried them? Also, any recommendations for kits (brush, comb, scissors, etc)?
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PS. I'm not a lumberjack either, but I have sailed upon the high seas - from the Bering Sea to Antartica, the Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico.
Pappy Joe seems right on about all the ‘stuff’. That ‘they’ say you need.
Spend your money on pipes and tobacco.
I like beard oil, but with my beard length, beard balm is very useful. The balm acts similar to gel, so it sculpts my beard so it stays bushy, instead of flattening out. If it does get flattened for some reason during the day, a quick run through with my fingers will get it back into place. A beard comb isn't necessary since a hair brush works fine, but it's nice to have (and keeps hair from getting tangled in your beard). If your beard is on the shorter side (or very long in my friend's case), then start off with beard oil. I'd say my beard is medium length, so it's perfect for beard balm. I do have beard shampoo, but it's not necessary. Give it a try though if you're interested.
I asked for the Badger Beard Grooming kit in 2015, and I'm still working through it. Yes, I know, I bought it based on the name alone, but I'm very happy with it. You'll get a beard comb, oil, and balm for a good price. It's Badger Piper approved!
https://www.badgerbalm.com/p-598-beard-grooming-kit.aspx
I currently have several different aromas/flavors open: Coffee from The Texas Beard Co., a Honey/Whiskey one that came in a small clear skull, a Bergamot (citrus) and one other that reminds me of one of the old hair oils. The one I most enjoyed but I no longer have was Bay Rum.
Back to my statement about these products separating us from our money. The price tag wasn't removed from the Honey/Whiskey. The gift giver paid $29.95 for a 2 oz. bottle. I could have bought 2 or 3 1.75 oz. tins of tobacco for the same price.
I found that daily combing which also stimulates and massages the facial skin keeps everything in good order. I also brush it for the same reason. It makes a big difference for me.
My only beard conundrum is whether allowing my beard to go snow white and give my face the sickly washed out look of a "Walking Dead" zombie or continue using the occasional Just For Men beard dye to add a little contrast to my face. Most of you guys look great with grey or white beards ... distinguished. I, on the other hand, look like I'm on the verge of a diabetic coma. So I leave the dye in just long enough to match the color of the hair on my head. Once my hair on my head goes completely grey I've resigned myself to accept it and allow the beard to follow suit.
I've always found it odd that the hair on your head, which has been there since birth, retains it's color longer than facial hair, which didn't sprout up till about 18 years later. Theoretically my beard is younger than the hair on my head, so why did it start going grey when I hit 50.
@Bloodhound61 I've had a beard for as long as I was able to grow one. There were a few times when I had to shave it for one reason or another - but grew it back immediately afterwards. Once was because of a court appearance (had to wear a suit, shave and look respectable). Another time because it was deemed by the US Steel Safety Department that facial hair prevented a breathing apparatus (used during a rescue situation ... carbon monoxide was a constant hazard), but luckily for me at that point in my career I had an office job as well as a lifting restriction due to a back injury, so I couldn't be expected to be part of the life saving team. Another time was when I lost a bet. The bet actually seemed like a sure thing. It was during the Chicago Bears Superbowl run back in 1985, when they played that game against Miami. I was so sure they would win I accepted a challenge from a co-worker that should the Bears win he would shave his head (an old guy with a crew cut, so a shaved head wasn't that drastic) and should they lose I'd shave my beard. Well, it was their only loss that year. And wouldn't you know it ... the very same guys that mocked me about being a scruffy bearded Hippy then suggested I looked like a fat 12 year old. Immediately grew the beard it back. The only time since then was mishap while trimming my beard and it was impossible to fix, so I shaved off the whole thing. And then to my horror discovered I had the beginnings of old age jowls which the beard concealed. Man, I couldn't grow that beard back fast enough ... and I haven't shaved since. A beard hides many a imperfection. And I've got more than I care to reveal.
Outside of a couple of clipper spasms that resulted in a sudden shave, I’ve only lost the whiskers involuntarily one other time. A couple of years ago I was playing pick-up basketball with some kids and did what I am told was a pretty spectacular face-plant into the gravel. There may or may not have been beer involved. At any rate, the result was a broken nose and a pretty sizeable rock installed through my upper lip that required some shaving for stitching. I left the ER looking pretty silly and headed straight for a razor to finish what the Dr had begun.
As for myself, my wife has never seen me without my beard (married Jan 1976) and has threatened that if I ever shave it off, I won't survive the shearing by any longer than it would take for her to kill me.
Amazing things will happen and it's all good. It's actually helped my business.