Thread: Am I to young to start using Straight Razors?

I must have been your age when I shaved with a straight for the first time. I think that I owe my shaving success ( ;-) ) to starting earlier. I was also a lot more careless then and did some pretty daring things shaving. Fortunately for me, I did not have an accident; something to keep in mind also, always be mindful of the razor. This was a long time ago and the world has changed since, I agree with Jimmy that having your parents on your side may not be a bad idea, back when I started, my mother bought me a brush and a mug of Old Spice soap, oh what a blast from the past.... I bought my first straight though, it was/is a Filarmonica 13 (~$10). You may be able to use "saving money" (this of course depends on how deep you get into the hobby) and being more environmentally conscious as a part of your reason for starting with a straight.

Al raz.

Originally Posted by SoccerKeep

I just turned 15 and I've been shaving for about a year now and have to shave 2-3 times a week. Is there a point for me to start using a straight razor now or should i hold off for a while till i start getting a more full blown beard/mustache?

Are there any major benefits to straight razor shaving that i could use to convince him to possibly retry it or just let me try it?

My 16-year-old son shaves with a straight. He only shaves once a week, and seems to do just fine. He's watched me shave, of course, and gets advice when he needs it. I also strop the razor for him.

Since you're clearly motivated enough to sign up here and ask the question, I think you'll do fine. Just follow the various suggestions for beginners posted here, and be careful!

Fred

I don't think there would be any age limitations to shaving with a straight, apart from growing facial hair. It really only comes down to the individual. The only person who can say if you should or should not use a straight is you.

But the advice others have given you about getting your father involved is priceless. Not only will this help you get a bit of a head start. It will give you a father and son activity that you will look back on with fondness.

Originally Posted by red96ta

I've never cut myself as badly with a straight as I have with those alleged 'safety' razors. The reality of the matter is that you will only nick yourself as badly as you would with a modern Mach 3 or Fusion. As for closeness of shave, he's partially correct. You first month of shaving won't be as close as what you are currently using, but after your fourth month it'll be a whole different ballgame. Besides, in my case, most nicks happen on the against-the-grain pass and at your age, it's completely unnecessary to do that.

I'm curious why you say that. I'm still quite new to using a str8 razor (2-3 weeks), but I got a closer shave on day #1 with my str8 than I ever did with my Mach 3 Turbo. Now I'm fully aware that time and experience will lessen my irritation and nicks and improve my consistency, but like I said before, I got a closer shave immediately.

Side note: I'm starting at 24, but I see no reason why a 15 y/o shouldn't be able to start with a str8. Another side note: The legal age to buy a pocket knife (in CA anyhow) is 16, not 18 unless it changed in the last few years, and I'd assume the law is the same for str8s.

SoccerKeep,

Welcome to the forum! I just started straight shaving two days ago, and by being careful and using proper technique, haven't run into any big problems. Like you, I'm fairly young still at 19, and I picked it up fairly quickly. If you are running into some serious resistance, it might be better to just put it off until you are 18 and can make your own decisions Learning young would be nice, but it's certainly not a requirement. If you do run into some opposition, it might be a good idea to just safety shave with your dad, and then move on when you can. However, that doesn't mean that you can't learn a bit from straight shaving, such as using real shaving cream or shaving soap, and a badger brush. They would improve your current shave, and would help ease the transition to straights when you do decide to make it.

If you have any questions, feel free to PM me.

-Wolf

Originally Posted by Greginator

I'm curious why you say that. I'm still quite new to using a str8 razor (2-3 weeks), but I got a closer shave on day #1 with my str8 than I ever did with my Mach 3 Turbo. Now I'm fully aware that time and experience will lessen my irritation and nicks and improve my consistency, but like I said before, I got a closer shave immediately.

It's because I never had an issue with my Mach3. It always provided, at least for me, a close and comfortable shave. For me, it was the cost factor...it drove me nuts dropping a wad of cash for something that will be in the trash bin in under a week. As such, it took me a few months to get to the place where the straight could perform the task that the M3 could do in five minutes.

Originally Posted by Greginator

I'm curious why you say that. I'm still quite new to using a str8 razor (2-3 weeks), but I got a closer shave on day #1 with my str8 than I ever did with my Mach 3 Turbo. Now I'm fully aware that time and experience will lessen my irritation and nicks and improve my consistency, but like I said before, I got a closer shave immediately.

You are getting closer shaves because you are doing things wrong, at least partially. If you get irritations, chances are you are applying too much pressure. The trick is to use zero pressure but still get close shaves

I just checked and the legal age is 18 to buy a straight edge in CA... I guess ill keep talking to my dad about it and see if i could get him to let me try, otherwise i guess ill be waiting till 18

Good call, in my experience. If you do have to wait, I would still suggest learning what you can, like making a proper lather and using a brush to apply. Like I said before, it will help whatever type of shave you do try.