Which type of venting does everyone mainly use. What's the advantage if the freestyle vent. Hope some users can post their opinions.

Basically Freestyle venting ties the knots in more loosely to the lace, so the hair lies not in a pre-set/particular direction, so it can be `trained`by the wearer into whatever[ general] style they like....obviously for more precise styles like swept-back or spiked front it`s best to have the system made in the desired style [ `default` if you like] Once a freestyle system `settles in`after 2 weeks or so, and has been `trained` into what way the wearer generally styles it, knot-sealer can then be applied to `lock`the knots and prevent them becoming undone and hairs shedding....that will also have the effect of `setting` the system into whatever style/ direction the hair is lying in at the time the sealer is applied.

I always order forward ventilation. Works great for me even if I spike the hair.

So would you say a freestyle unit is more prone to shedding quicker over other vents because the knots are looser?

(10-19-2011, 12:42 AM)Paul In Ireland Wrote: Basically Freestyle venting ties the knots in more loosely to the lace, so the hair lies not in a pre-set/particular direction, so it can be `trained`by the wearer into whatever[ general] style they like....obviously for more precise styles like swept-back or spiked front it`s best to have the system made in the desired style [ `default` if you like] Once a freestyle system `settles in`after 2 weeks or so, and has been `trained` into what way the wearer generally styles it, knot-sealer can then be applied to `lock`the knots and prevent them becoming undone and hairs shedding....that will also have the effect of `setting` the system into whatever style/ direction the hair is lying in at the time the sealer is applied.

No .... knots can become undone on any system...the `looseness` of knots on a freestyle is minimal compared to a `set`style. Hair swells when wet so even tighter knots can become loose and can become undone over time . Knot sealer just applies an acrylic layer across the base [lace] and helps hold the hairs in place....some wearers don`t bother with it and apparently have no issues with shedding..... I`ve always used it `just in case`.

What knots do most users choose it do they just send a photo with what style they desire. One question is how short do most people cut. Is an inch too short. Ive already made a template and will look at ordering in the next few weeks and get it cut in by Debbie.

The shorter the cut, the less forgiving it can be.....an inch is a bit short to `play`with ... at that length too you`ll just end up with literally straight hair ----any `wave`you order will have been cut out/off and end up on the floor ! Obviously if you want straight hair that`s fine but you`ll defeat yourself with any bit of wave if you cut it so short. Just send in a pic or two of a style you`d like [keep it as near as you can to your original style when you had all your own hair] and it will be very helpful to ensure you`re happy with the finished item....Debbie is great at styling too ! Just send her pics of how you want it to be ..she`ll be able to work from that. Regards, Paul.
Pics of various styles here : http://www.4hairstyles.com/mens.htm

Thanks for the info. I was looking at about an inch cut but I'll check the link given. How long does it take when a system is ordered from Australia and getting debbie to cut it.

Actually... was just having a look at an old topper I have here..the hair is cut to about an inch and it looks fine... I`l take a pic later and post it here. Generally if you go very short, you`re almost into `buzz`territory which can lead to visibility issues with the base/knots. Having Debbie cut it should add no more than a few days over all....John will send it to her and she`ll post it on to you.....I`m not sure of the average overall delivery times from when you send your template to final delivery to Australia.... there are a few Australian customers here so hope they can let you know.....I`ll pop that pic on in a while... Paul.

Just goes to show how things `guesstimates` can be SO wrong! I measured the hair length...it`s just over 2 inches ! The pic quality is not too good as I used that webcam thing rather than the digital camera. This is a very old topper [ almost a year old] which I haven`t yet discarded...am experimenting with a type of pomade to see if it affects the lace etc. --that`s what the shine is on the other pic...... just posted it so you can see what a topper with that hair length [just over 2 inches] looks like. Cheers, Paul.