Reason to grow a beard #184.

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andythecelt

Nomad
May 11, 2009
261
2
Planet Earth
I love my beard. I'd feel naked without it. However on an overnighter in the recent snow it came in handy in a way I couldn't have predicted. I'd set up a camp planning on having a nice large open fire in front of my tarp but with night setting in quickly I decided it was time to use a lighter rather than a firesteel. After gathering enough wood to last through the night the light was failing fast so with pretty numb hands I laid the fire and fumbled out my blowtorch lighter. 'click'. No flame. 'click click'. Still no flame. I dug out my headtorch and was able to see the jet had blocked. I tried blowing it out by lung power, still nothing. Personally I don't carry canned air or a 'pricker' type tool in my pockets so I was trying to motivate myself to head out into the dark in search of semi dry tinder when I remebered a trick I'd worked out years ago when the jet of my cheapo gas cartidge stove had blocked. I ran my fingers through my beard until a loose hair fell out. I snipped the end off leaving a wiry strand of hair a few inches long that was significantly more wiry than head hair, an organic jet pricker! Ten seconds later the fire was lit and I had yet another reason to be grateful I decided to grow my lovely, warm beard :D
 
Oct 6, 2008
495
0
Cheshire
I've just grown a goatee, never bothered with face fungus before but its been cold of late so why not?

One reason perhaps is the entertainment value for others when I caught it in my coat zip the other day when out with the dogs. Unfeasably painful.
 

Melonfish

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Jan 8, 2009
2,460
1
Warrington, UK
not had a beardless day since i was 16. granted mostly its just he chin squig but when i really can't be bothered i let the rest grow and stay toasty warm in the cold.
 

John Fenna

Lifetime Member & Maker
Oct 7, 2006
23,106
2,833
66
Pembrokeshire
Last time I took my beard off was when I went for aircrew selection at Biggin Hill when I was 16 - kept the tashe though.
Blasted thing is changing colour these days but after 36 years exposed to the elements I guess you have to expect some fading....
Good points - hides my weak chin and droopy (Bells Palsey) face : keeps my face warm: saves days of my life scraping off stubble: saves money in not buying razor blades: emergency stove pricker!
Bad Points: can freeze to balaclava in cold weather: can get caught in zips and press-studs all Very Painful! : collects food debris...
 

Melonfish

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Jan 8, 2009
2,460
1
Warrington, UK
Bad Points: can freeze to balaclava in cold weather: can get caught in zips and press-studs all Very Painful! : collects food debris...

Ah yeah the freezing thing, had this during that cold snap, bits of beard freezing to clothes and ice hanging off it, whats with that?
as for food debris? i'd class that as a good point, think emergency rations?
 

Bushwhacker

Banned
Jun 26, 2008
3,882
8
Dorset
Just had mine in at the barbers for it's two monthly service. It was about 1" long so I had it trimmed back to the wood and my face feels cold now.
 

Prawnster

Full Member
Jun 24, 2008
806
0
St. Helens
Andy as I was reading that I fully expected reason #184 to be a handy a supply of tinder!

I wouldn't mind having a go at growing a beard as I too hate shaving. It wouldn't work though. As my beard grew, any bedroom action would diminish in frequency, possibly altogether.
 
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A little inspiration!..

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SCOMAN

Life Member
Dec 31, 2005
2,583
452
53
Perthshire
Whilst on the Grey Funnel lines work ups and inspections always used the most hideous weapon of sleep deprivation. In order to maximise rack time I grew a 'set' and got an extra 5 - 10 mins sleep, always worth it. Once it had a bit of thickness I always had this urge to stroke my chin, very strange. Used to grow one if we headed north in the winter
 

durulz

Need to contact Admin...
Jun 9, 2008
1,755
1
Elsewhere
I'm sensing a beard off!
Maybe we could all have a clean shave on an appointed day (and post piccie to prove it), and then give it a week and see who's grown the most (again, with picture as proof).
 

Arri

Tenderfoot
Jan 10, 2010
68
0
Bucks, UK
Andy as I was reading that I fully expected reason #184 to be a handy a supply of tinder!

I wouldn't mind having a go at growing a beard as I too hate shaving. It wouldn't work though. As my beard grew, any bedroom action would diminish in frequency, possibly altogether.

Same here, SWMBO does not allow. Full Stop!

But to be honest, if it was the other way around, it would have the same result with me. :lmao:
 

John Fenna

Lifetime Member & Maker
Oct 7, 2006
23,106
2,833
66
Pembrokeshire
My mrs of 32 years standing (I must get her a chair...) has never seen me without a beard...but then she does not shave her legs either...
 

Melonfish

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Jan 8, 2009
2,460
1
Warrington, UK
Clean shave?!
Are you mad man? do you know what i'd look like without this thing?
egads!
i'd look like some young johnny depp or something, the women would be Throwing themselves at me...
:D
 

Cap'n Badger

Maker
Jul 18, 2006
884
5
Port o' Cardiff
I'm sensing a beard off!
Maybe we could all have a clean shave on an appointed day (and post piccie to prove it), and then give it a week and see who's grown the most (again, with picture as proof).
Mr fenna would win.....lol....or Paddy (hammock man)...now THAT'S a beard!
I just stick the the enormas goatee.....tis part o' me costume fer me piratin'....plus it keeps me chin warm when in me doss bag an' swmbo would kill me ifin I shaved it off.
Just gone throught the yearly trim, ready fer the years pirate events an' campouts.
Gutted I lost me badger stripes o'er the last year o' two.....but grey is good natural camo fer the out doors....lol....
Captain_Badger-1.jpg

LrpCapn.jpg
 

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