I would say yes, so I will say it.  Yes, get some beard balm.

Here's a thread where a bunch of products are reviewed, should help you out.

http://jefffsbeardboard.yuku.com/topic/19895/Beard-product-reviews-New-review-added-on-05062013?page=1

My Beard Journey

Just grow.  If you grow it out you can always shave it off but if you don't grow you'll never know what could have been.  Who wants to die not knowing what they are capable of?