Army Beret Finishes: Shaving and Shaping
Issue Berets
These berets are thick and clumpy. They look very fuzzy and you will be spending a few hours with a razor to clean it up.
Pre-shaven Berets
The material manufacturers pre-shave the beret to smooth it out. You will still need to shape it for wear and based upon your personal preference you may want to touch it up with a razor to smooth it out some more.
Pre-shaped Berets?
We have generally seen two different types of pre-shaped berets: the first really are not shaped at all and the second are knock-off's that are not Natick certified and approved for uniform wear. Be wary when spending money on one of these berets.