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

My suggestion would be to:
1) learn all you can about wet shaving from this site.
2) purchase shave soap,a brush and a bowl.
3) Work on shave prep while using a parent approved razor.
4) Ask for a straight razor for Christmas/Birthday.

If you show your folks that you are responsible enough to do all the homework involved in learning wet shaving, they might reconsider. Being patient and respectful will help them see that you also have the maturity needed.

Good luck!!!

p.s. With my folks,it was motorcycles. You will notice by my name, that worked out well. Thirty-seven years and still riding.

If you do try straight razor shaving ,which I encourage you do, definitely do some major research. Google "straight razor shave" the second or third link should be a PDF called "the art of straight razor shaving". Really helpful. How to's on before after during and everything else. I just tried it on a whim with no knowledge. Not only did I not get a good shave, but I sliced my lip open pretty bad. After researching I'm getting VERY close shaves with no nicks or cuts. Best of luck!

Originally Posted by BeBerlin

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

Originally Posted by Greginator

I don't get much irritation, but I think what I do get isn't so much a result of too much pressure as it is too many strokes. As my hand grows more adept, I expect to achieve the same or superior results with fewer passes.

I feel I owe you an apology; I was being a bit of an ignoranus. For today's shave, I decided to pull my head out, and I made a point of using ZERO pressure, closeness be darned. Afterward, I had next to no irritation, and (for only my 2nd time so far) zero blood loss. Every other shave but the one I had at least one tiny nick, but I didn't even feel like I got close to cutting myself this time. As for closeness, you were once again right, I got about the same level of shave as I did with the Mach 3, maybe not quite as close in a few places.

Next time I'm being a retard like that, take my strop from me and beat me with it please.

Just wanted to see how things are going. How did the conversation go with your parents.

I am still new to this, but here is my two cents:

Most people have just talked about nicks, however you can give yourself some decent cuts by sliding the razor across your face parallel to the blade. Mostly that is a result of me not being careful enough/paying attention.

Despite that I am all for people living their lives as they choose as long as they understand the outcomes (good and bad) and it does not harm others. Just remember your parents are responsible for you and have your best interest at heart. They maybe a bit over protective and a bit uninformed. To help this you could get them to talk to some people who know about straight razor shaving.

I wish that I had picked up straight razor shaving when I was your age. It wasn't that long ago that 15 year olds were trusted heads of households, earning wages for the family and treated like men, not kids.

My son's first pocketknife (with instruction on usage and safety) was given to him at the age of 5, and we were making controlled fires in the backyard with a magnifying glass before that. That said, I'm a big fan of Free Range Kids and 50 Dangerous things you should let your kids do (both books on amazon). I would suggest perhaps slipping one of these to your dad for Father's Day.

Amazon.com: Fifty Dangerous Things (You Should Let Your Children Do) (9780984296101): Gever Tulley, Julie Spiegler: Books

Amazon.com: Free-Range Kids, How to Raise Safe, Self-Reliant Children (Without Going Nuts with…

You are 15, choose your battles with your parents wisely! Tell them you want to learn str8 shaving but be prepared to conceed on it so long as you get something else you want! (The fundamentals of negotiation! )

I'm 40 but new to this and everyone I've told that I'm learning to shave with a str8 has looked shocked, even my wife said don't expect me to clean up the blood! While I would probably be happy enough with my son learning to use a str8 (in a few years when he needs to) I'm certain that my wife would have none of it as she sees it as seriously dangerous and stupid.

Unless your parents have a change of heart just leave it be. Its a skill you can pick up later when your parents no longer have such a say in your life and as has already been said you can learn the prep and lather side of things which are also important.

However your desire to learn str8 shaving at your age has my respect, but I would say go with either a DE or Bic Sensitive (single bladed disposables) for now.

I would agree with Jeltz. Not being given permission to shave with a straight razor by your parents at age 15 isn't the end of the world. If he believes that a safety razor provides the closest, bloodless shave, then ask if you can get a DE safety razor--along with a decent shaving brush, decent quality shaving cream or soap and a shaving mug.

There are a number of nice DE razors out there--Merkur, Edwin Jagger, Muhle for sale at many vendors who advertide here at SRP--as well as vintage Gillette razors on Ebay. Who knows, maybe you can convert your father to using a DE--if he doesn't already use one.

After three years of training with the DE razor, then you'll be able to purchase a str8 razor and strop set legally and try straight razor shaving. You'll already own all the other wet shaving equipment that you need. You may find that you love it. Then again, you may find, like your father, that its not your cup of tea.

Just my 2 cents.