Tom, Good learning for me atleast... Your beard and stache looks phenomenal... Good call on leaving the beard alone... I got a haircut as well last week and when the barber asked me abt my beard ... I politely declined.. I faded the sides into the head hair myself and am pretty pleased with the result... I can not let the barber touch the beard.. Its just too risky as i am not sure i would be able explain it to him what exactly i want.. Regards, VT