7.1.1 – Form Variations – Tapered vs. Rounded vs. Bulbed

WHAT THIS LESSON CONTAINS:

• There is a range of variations for tips
Generally speaking, I’ve seen a wide range of tips from fat and bulbed tips to very pointy and tapered tips. All of these tips get the job done by locking the hair at the end of the dreadlock.

• Our preference is an even “rounded” tip
We generally strive to close tips in a very even and rounded way. In most cases this will look the most natural or normal at least in my opinion.

• I often see amateurs that create “bulbed” ends
Most of the time that I see the bulbed tip of dreadlocks, it seems like it’s usually done by someone new and inexperienced. It’s somewhat of a giant folded mass of hair that ends up bulging outward.

• I also see “pointed” or “tapered” tips
Pointed tips are sometimes done intentionally, but sometimes I see this from new trainees and amateurs. At the end of the day, it’s all just a matter of preference. But we generally avoid shaping dreadlocks into a pointed tip. One benefit of this type of tip is that it will preserve a bit more of the original length of the dreadlock.

• All of these styles are simply a matter of preference.
Just to be clear, I’m not saying that any of these variations are better than the other. They all serve the same purpose structurally, which is locking up the tip. I simply thought it would be beneficial to explain why there are differences and you can come to your own conclusion to your preference.