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I haven't seen this discussed anywhere, so I thought I would get your opinions on it.
What about using a str8 to teach a new young shaver? I have a 13-year-old that is ready for his first lessons. I am concerned about the danger of a str8 in his hands, but then again, that is what our grandfathers learned on and they survived, plus, it would start him off on the right foot.:shrug:
What do you guys think? Any experiences or thoughts?
Thanks,
stats
I really can't offer much here, as I only have a 1 yr old daughter. However, I don't think it would be a bad thing for him to learn on a straight. I might be a good idea for him to practice strokes/angle/holding position on a very dull blade. Then once he has those down, he can go for the shave-sharp razor. Of course, he'll have to understand (and no doubt you'll explain) that they are EXTREMELY sharp and should be handled with respect...or else you'll lob off a toe or something.
Interesting question!
I would say when he gets his first decent slice across his cheek and explains truthfully to his peers that he got the cut shaving with a straight razor he could be virtually guaranteed that none of his rivals would mess wif him!;)
Boy I wish I would have thought of that at that age! Anyone have a time machine that goes back 25 years?
Chris L
Eh... Well ok here come my thoughts. They are not mature enough.
Straights are very dangerous and when people were using them at the turn of the century they had already been forced to grow up and start working from a very young age. Life expectancies were in the early to mid 50's then too so there wasn't any of this coddle the kid till they are 22 crap. When you hit puberty you were a man. You should be cause you were working the fields at 8.
Today, kids are not responsible until much later. Teen suicide rates are super high with 20% of kids contemplating suicide at one time or another. Additionally they will want to do stupid things like take it to school to show their friends or "play" with it.
Add to that the fact that this takes alot of skill and a 13 year olds face is very soft and fair unlike ours and I think that while your kid is probably a well adjusted kid free of the serious problems mentioned above, it might not be the best route for him physically. May I suggest you start with a DE and keep an eye on the extra blades until you know that he is acting responsibly with it. These still need the habits that a straight does like good angle and soft touch but is less likely to cause major problems is a childish idea gets into his mind. Lord knows I did some dumb stuff => :gth
I first shaved with a little plastic razor and still had burns and cuts and little bits of toilet paper on my face. I would say that a boy's skin is probably too sensitive and and all that for him to use a straight.
Secondly, do you want a boy in throes of puberty having access to something so dangerous? :shrug: I mean, I'm 22 and clearly remember the terrors of 6-12 grade and plenty of early morning angry shaves, or early morning I-have-12-seconds-to-get-ready type of shaves.
Being 22, I often still question whether I am responsible enough for a straight razor. I say wait until he is done with high school and get him a nice one as a graduation gift, that way it has a double meaning. He'll appreciate the effort.
I think it depends on wether your son is interested in using a straight razor , or not . If he wants to try a straight , let him watch you shave a few times before he tries it himself . I think that if you let him use one of your razors , and supervise him until you're sure he knows what he's doing , it would be safe . I started teaching my daughter how to use , and clean firearms when she was 13 . It was always under my supervision , and she never had access to the guns , unless I was there .
I can see good arguments on both side. I think what it comes down to is the individual child. I've known some very mature young teenagers and I've known thirty year olds who are still in the throws of adoescence. Only you know your son's maturity level. Maybe it's something you do with him on weekends for a while and lock up the razor on school days. Dave had a great question. Is he interested in using a straight razor? If it becomes something like forced piano lessons, he may never touch a straigth again in his life.
I think if you told your wife about your little idea she'd hit you over the head with a rolling pin.
I agree a 13 year old is too young. Maybe at 15 depending on the kid.
If you think he can handle it--let him go. It would be a good bonding experience and show him that you trust him.
You make a good point , Bigspendur . Now ,that I think about it , maybe 16 :D .Quote:
Originally Posted by thebigspendur
I think The Tropher has the best take on this issue.
I would do the DE thing but actually take the time to make a rite of passage out of it. Some type of bonding thing that will mean a lot to him in the future.
I might think about the straight as a high school or even college graduation rite of passege for the two of you to share at that later time.
In the movie Captains Courageous, when they get back to Gloucester Long Jack Gives 12 year old Harvey Cheyne the razor that belonged to Manuel who was killed at sea.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0028691/
Bigspendur, when exactly did you get to know my wife so well?:D You're right, I really did not factor her into this equation.
I think my kid could handle it, but if he did cut himself, my wife would cut me. And no styptic pencil in the world could stop that bleeding.:eek:
Thanks for everybody's opinions.
stats
+1 I agree.This would not be a good Thing for an adolescent kid.But thats only my opinion.:shrug:Quote:
Originally Posted by The Topher
13 and a straight equals trouble more than likely. I am on the side of the DE. Then at graduation give the straight. I also think that as said earlier teach him and supervise not for iresponsibility sake but for the sake of years of good shaving. My dad never told me a thing about shaving I learned it all on my own, and have scars to proove it. That said I probably wouldn't have listened either so that's probably why he didn't bother. Good Luck
I think the DE is a great option. Dangerous enough if you're not paying attention...and think of the respect he'll have for the straight after a few cuts with a DE!
I have no worry teaching my son on a straight, and assuming that I am proficient at it by the time he needs to learn, I will teach him. He is a respectful kid and has a fine learning ability, and knows how to listen. No worries
If he was an unruly disrespectful careless thoughtless child then I'd let him figure it out on his own.
I have no special opinion, but it is my own!
Give the Feather Prebeau a try. They are made for smaller hands and have a good rubberized gripping surface. They also happen to have "Caged" blade design so the razor is a little safer then putting edge to skin. At least until he gets more comfortable with the whole idea.
Classic Shaving sells the blades at $13 per 10 blades. Even with a tough beard the blade is good for about 6 shaves.
So, for $115 (razor and blades) he can have his own shaving gear . If you really wanted to sweeten the deal you could go with a Tweezerman Brush and a Williams soap puck for about $15 more.
Regardless of what you decide, be sure to let us know how it goes. I am interested to hear a dad perspective.
I guess I disagree with the crowd in this instance. I grew up on a farm with lots of opportunities to kill myself but because I had been around it all from infancy, I learned what was safe and how to deal with what wasn't. Most of parenthood is setting a good example and I don't see how shaving with a straight should be any different.
If it is your intention to just hand a razor to your kid and walk away, then by all means give the kid a disposable Bic shaver. If on the other hand your son has been watching you shaving with a straight for 13 years, then he should already be very well prepared to start with his own.
I guess the suitability revolves around the atmosphere surrounding blades. I first started shaving around age 12 with a cheapo straight with no parental training or anything (I never even watched anyone else use one), and never had a problem (though I converted to Mach 3 when I turned 18).
I think it becomes an issue when it's elevated as some kind of "special" dangerous thing to be respected. If you're in a more sensitive community or family where a blade like a straight razor would be put on a pedestal as something not wholly mundane or utilitarian (but rather some dangerous potential weapon that will hurt or kill if not "respected"), it would likely not be wise to encourage its use to adolescents.
If you're in an environment where it would be treated like a tool that isn't really special or innately powerful, it shouldn't be an issue, and if the kid likes the idea, then it would be fine (though the nostalgia often doesn't take, and hassle and practicality is a more serious consideration).
An example of this kind of environment would be if you have nice carbon steel kitchen knives in your home. Which is more important: telling your kid about how careful they need to be so they don't cut themselves, or telling them how careful they need to be so they don't chip or rust the knives?
Having something like one of the cheap (but very decent) Sanguine XD20 disposable straights to take snapped DE blades to accompany a decent DE would be a good way to offer some choices, and they can go whatever way they want, and it wouldn't be too expensive up-front. No point in pushing them ("molding" or "guiding" I think are more popular terms) for something that is wholly personal.
I have to agree with Utopian. Even at 13, if you teach him how to handle the str8 he will be fine. He will also get a huge confidence boost by having his father trust him enough to let him shave with a str8
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Topher
+1 on Topher.
I think he is in the right here. It always pays to look at the plusses and the minuses in this case. what are the plusses to a kid using a straight what are the minuses. I would have to say that the balance would swing strongly twords the negative.
I'm not sure why anyone on this forum, presumably people who use straight razors, would recommend something else for their sons. If you think it is the best choice for you, then why not for your son? If you trust your kid with a car, why not with a blade? Granted you shouldn't put the kid behind the wheel of a muscle car, but at some point you have to trust him to go out on his own in traffic. You have to teach your kid to have regard for the dangers of the road and you can also teach him to have the proper respect for a blade. Again, I think teaching by example works best.Quote:
Originally Posted by stupidyank
That's just my opinion. It's worth the paper it's printed on.
Today, kids are not responsible until much later. Teen suicide rates are super high with 20% of kids contemplating suicide at one time or another. Additionally they will want to do stupid things like take it to school to show their friends or "play" with it.
I don't think this is a "fair factor" to consider in making this decision. Whoever wants to commit suicide will find a way to do it. In my opinion, a straight razor is no more of an "incentive" or a "tool" to go on with such a decision then a kitchen knives, a cars, a table saw, a gallon of liquid plumber or a few tylenol bottles..
People have to talk with their kids, not try to tie there hands and leave them in a rubber walled room until they are "old enough" to think for themselves...
As far as using a straight, i think its a case by case decision. In different states, kid are allowed to use a gun and go hunting starting age 12. Is that any less dangeous than using a straight?
I thing personality is the issue here. If they can handle themselves, they can probably handle a straight blade, or a chef's knives to make spaggethi sauce...
+1 to the if he wants to camp.
Personally I plan to make a plastic straight for my son (now 2) and when he wants to copy daddy and shave then he can. Hopefully he'll know how to shave and have the appropriate respect for sharp objects before he actually gets anywhere near one.
As someone else said if it is treated as everyday behavior to handle sharp objects/razors then when he gets older it wont be something he needs to show off to his cohorts.
Barney