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

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?

Welcome to SRP. Hard to answer that question. If you have to shave with something there is nothing better than a straight razor but due to your age there are legalities to consider and parental consent considerations. What do your parents think about it ? Convert your Dad and you'll have a great thing going as forum members Joed and his son do .

My parents pretty much trust me to do what I want as long as I don't get seriously hurt... but ill talk to them and see what they think about it. Are there a lot of serious injuries with people using straight razors?

No, not if they are careful and do a bit of homework before they get started. The ideal situation, no kidding, is to introduce your father to the idea of shaving with a straight razor. If that were possible it would give the two of you a common interest to pursue and make the whole thing much more doable for you. See my signature line below for tips on avoiding nicks and a link to more information.

Ok sounds good ill talk to him about it and see if he would be interested

You have to take into consideration that it is probably illegal for you to buy a straight razor until you are 18. Then there is a further expenditure for a strop and other shaving gear. So unless you have parental consent and some disposable income it would be tough. If your father were into it things would flow more easily.

Legal issues aside, I think it would be easier to learn at your age. Your facial hair is not very thick right now and easier to shave. By the time your hair thickens up, your technique should be down.

I agree. There's no better time to start than when you're young. Look at all of us old-timers who aren't up to speed with having to learn new things! Talk to the folks and then just go for it. I really don't see anything illegal about it...it's not like you're going to take a razor to a federal building or to school...it's a shaving instrument just like a fusion.

My dad says that he's tried straight edge shaving before and says it's not nearly as close a shave as using a safety razor and that he's cut himself bad enough to were he wouldn't do it again. What do you guys have to say to this? I dont want to blatently oppose him but I think i want to try straight razor shaving.

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.