I have heard of a fishtail braid, ARB, but never tried it.  I think that a guy posted a video in the Beards and Braids thread about how to tie one, so I'll go have a look.  The beads I use have openings of roughly 5-8 mm, though I have one that's about 12 mm (I'm wearing that one as I write this with the three center braids from yesterday braided into one complex braid).  To thread the bead on I just take a small piece of dental floss, fold it around the end of the braid, pass the loose ends of the floss through the bead, and pull the braid through.  I then secure the bead with a little pin that was supplied with them.  If the hair at the end of the braid fans out enough the pin isn't needed.  I've been thinking of making a video of how I braid and bead my beard - a project for the holidays perhaps! 

Hey Matt, no need to call, just drop by!  Yes, I am thoroughly enjoying the braids, far more, in fact, that I thought I would.  I always liked the braided beard look on the dwarves in LoTR and it's fun to be able to actually do it!  Thank you, as always, for the comments, buddy.

Yep, nnbeard, there's no way to get there but with patience.  With a long braided beard and those tats of yours you'd look wicked!

I think I read somewhere that most guys reach a terminal length at roughly where I am, BW, so you should expect to get here.  You beard looks curly like mine, so just be patient.  As for the silly feeling, I have to agree with you now.  Some colleagues posted pics from dinner last night on Facebook, one of which I've copied below, and, from a distance I have to admit that it looks much better.  Selfies are a good way to show off, but perhaps not in the best manner

Thank you, Weirdy!  Funny you say that, too.  Last night was the first time I've ever gotten a free drink because of my beard.  When I went to the counter to get a glass of wine the guy pouring, who was wearing a very nice, short, groomed beard himself, said "Getting to see a beard that epic is all the payment I need".  smiley: happy  Once nice thing about wearing a beard is that people can't see you blush.

C'mon, Karl, grow yours out and you can shake things up like this too! smiley: happy  The hat I'm wearing in that photo was made by a local hat maker.  I just bought it last weekend at a holiday craft fare.  By the way, the vest I'm wearing was one that I picked up in Mossfellsbaer smiley: wink

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At the risk of spamming my own thread, here's a picture that a colleague shot at last night's dinner.  As I said above, the braids don't look as silly from a distance, at least I don't think they do. 

2034e5f8f9524d5c857259a28fb0449b_r.jpg

Cheers!
Tom


Some helpful links:
Library Central of Beard Growing


Taming the Wild Mustache
Tips for eating and drinking with a big mustache

Excess on occasion is exhilarating. It prevents moderation from acquiring the deadening effect of a habit. ~ W. Somerset Maugham
A jerk with a beard is just a bearded jerk, but a bearded gentleman is awesomeness personified. ~ Triibeard