Quote Originally Posted by outback View Post
Ask him what he wants to learn to use most.
The DE sounds most plausible, for learning about proper angles and pressure. But if he starts and keeps at it with the straight, he'll have it mastered in no time.

I started with a straight when I was 17, and learned in my own. Very happy I did, now that I'm 50.

+1

Using a straight razor requires a lot of different skills: honing, stropping, lathering, and shaving. For a young man, that is a lot to learn at one time, although folks like Outback did it and did it well. If your son starts with a DE, he only has to learn the skills of lathering and shaving. Once he has gotten those skills mastered, buy him a straight razor that has been professionally honed unless you honing skills are good. Even those who use a straight razor may pick up a DE from time to time, so having the skill to use one helps.

The advantage of starting shaving with an early age is that your fine motor skills are good, your skin is still smooth and your beard is not so tough. That makes shaving a lot easier.

I waited until retirement before starting to use a straight razor and by then, I had arthritic fingers, my skin is saggy, and my beard is coarse.