So I started growing a beard a little over a month ago and wanted to know if you guys have any tips? On maintaining, styling and products you use for your beard.

Cool. Can you grow a respectable beard?

I remember a friend of mine who would spend a month without shaving, and all he'd get was some weak stray patches of hair here and there.

Next to him, without having shaved for a week, I already looked like I spent the last year in a desert island.

When I grew one everyone kept telling me I looked like Jesus Christ, which was fun for a while but got old, so I shaved it off.

Is there any way to grow a straight beard? Like mine grows fine but after 2-3 mm it starts getting curly and it looks like shit and I get rid of it.

it's genetics, isn't it?

I think so, so far its in an awkward stage so in a month it should look respectable I might post a pic later. I bought my first beard oil but I know its the cheap kind and wanted to know more about oils, pomades, soaps/shampoo and conditioners. As well as tips on everything beard related.

Use an electric beard trimmer...I do so every two or three weeks once it gets uncomfortable, and that's enough.

I used to have a magnificent beard, but ended up having to shave it off (long story). Anyway, get yourself a good beard maintenance kit (should have a sturdy comb, a good pair of sharp scissors, and an electric trimmer). I never went for pomades or oils. For shampoo, It's just hair, so I used the same thing I used on my head.

I just use a good shampoo that includes a conditioner.

I tried one of those.

It didn't work too well.

I've got what I'd like to think is a pretty good beard... I do bugger all with it though, no oils or anything. I just wash it with water as I find using shampoo makes it flake.

I just use an electric trimmer every few weeks (when I notice that I look like I've been living in the wilderness for a while) to trim and shape it.
If you have a lady (or man) friend then you'll probably want to keep your moustache (assuming you have one too) quite short as apparently it's quite spiky if not.. I let the ends grow long and keep the middle short (means less getting hair in your mouth when eating too, though the long sides can cause problems on that account)

I'm probably going to try and get some kind of oils or something, not least because I want to twirl my moustache into a black and white movie villain style for fun XD

I grew a beard.

People assumed I was a terrorist.

I got racially profiled at the airports.

I'm not even dark looking.

I use Sandahl's Lucky Tiger Cru-Butch Wax for my moustache and hair, I keep it "high and tight" (think "flat-top" only shorter). A 3.5oz./99g jar lasts quite a while.

I just use a small pair of scissors and a comb to trim my beard and a Gillette razor for shaving.
I did use an electric trimmer a long time ago but it wasn't very effective and made my rather sensitive skin quite itchy so obviously it didn't bother me much when it suddenly stopped working. :)

As for shaving products I highly recommend The Body Shop's excellent Maca Root Shave Cream. It really is beyond comparison. Just make sure you're not allergic to the maca root (simply ask for a free sample at the local store).

You just need to buy a high quality product, you probably can even use them to trim the hair on your testicles without risking any really serious injury.