Braggin by Proxy

[OldSoldier]

I'm posting this on behalf of my grandson. I just got off the phone with him 5 minutes ago. He reported the results of his very first wet shave! Obviously I'm proud of him, hence the by proxy posting.

About 2 weeks back he and I got on the subject of wet shaving; I think it was about the time I gashed my pinky finger with one of my str8s. The conversation went from him giving me grief to why I chose to take up wet shaving. I gave him the big 3: nostalgia, skin health, and cost saving; he seemed interested in all three which I found abnormal for an 17-year old. Sooo I asked if he might be interested in learning how. He wasn't sure how to answer because his mother doesn't have the means to set him up with the gear and he doesn't want to ask for what he knows could possibly be fairly expensive. To avoid embarassing him I began digging out my starter gear and offered it to him to see if he could "get the hang of it."
Instead of giving him a str8 razor I gave him the shavette I started with along with all the other necessary gear he would need to get through a shave. Most importantly, I gave him my copy of The World of Straight Razor Shaving to watch. I also gave him a "Practice razor" to learn the proper angle and strokes before ever putting a real blade to his face. I know a shavette is not a straight razor BUT he would not have to worry about stropping or damaging one of my razors. After he left and I gave the situation more thought I realized the err of my decision; a shavette offers more opportunity for cuts and nicks than a straight razor.
I called Trey a couple days ago to see how practice was coming along. He reported that he was practicing almost daily, which pleased me greatly. I told him that when he was ready for his first live shave to give me a call so I could bring him one of my straight razors to use and then explained why. When he called me tonight he said he had had a bad day and needed to relax so he went into the bathroom, mixed up some lather and "went for it." Sound familiar to anyone? I found it quite interesting that a 17-year old would choose wet shaving to relax him considering he had never done it before, except to practice. How cool is that.
He doesn't know it yet but my wife and I purchased a Merkur something something DE for him to take into the Navy with him. While he is away serving his country I will start a small collection of straight razors for him for when he finishes his career as a swab jockey.

[Theseus]

It's always a great feeling to start someone successfully down the path to shaving bliss. Congrats.

[mapleleafalumnus]

OldSoldier, that is way cool! I'm absolutely certain he will fully appreciate your investment in him!

[Toymkr]

OldSoldier… First off, you tell that young man that an old hardhat swab jock told him “thanks for carrying on where we left off.” As for the DE, that’s the same thing I used while I was in. I just never had the time to keep using the straights. Seemed like everything had to be in a hurry.

[carlmaloschneider]

There are some things that break through the generations. Sometimes, when one gets older (I'm 50) simple things like teaching someone to shave (properly) can be really fulfilling. When I taught my older son to shave with a straight it was quite momentous.

Actually, the best response to this is 'good on you for taking the time'. A lot of guys don't 'take the time' with their kids, grandkids, etc. We all MEAN to, but sometimes it gets a lot like that 'Cats in the Cradle' song; you know the one. We should all just slow down and take time to smell the shaving soap...

[OldSoldier]

Update on the grandson's progress. I loaned him one of my Dovo 5/8", actually my latest "new" razor purchase, to use in stead of the shavette. After I gave him the shavette I remembered that they aren't exactly the safest things in the world to use.
He called yesterday to let me know he was going to take the plunge. I asked if he wanted me to drive in to town to assist or coach or just be there in case he needed some support. "Thanks pawpaw but I think I've got it," was his reply. I felt a little let down but proud at the same time, knowing he was confident in his ability based on what I had taught him, along with what he had learned from the WoSR DVD and a video on Utube.
I anxiously awaited a text or call to let me know how he did but nothing came last night. He made me wait until today to finally give me a report on how well he did. He reported getting a little nervous back-stroking his neck for the first couple of strokes and the only cut was eliminating a "zit." He then told me he likes Str8 razor shaving, "it's cool."
He enjoys the time it takes to prepare, the concentration required, the skill required, and the fact that none of his friends are brave enough to even think about attempting it. I guess I don't have to tell you guys that his report and comments about his new found enjoyment in our shared "thing" made swell just a little with pride only a grandfather feels when he connects with his grandson.
Tomorrow is his 18th birthday and he will be receiving his new DE to take with him once he finished Navy boot camp. I found out he cannot take it with him to boot camp. At least he will be able to use before he goes if he chooses. Given that he is getting as much enjoyment out of the str8 as he is, the DE may just sit until he comes home to get it enroute to his first assignment. Regardless the choice of instrument, he is now an enthusiastic wet shaver, as are we all.
The young man is a bit of a trend setter among his friend so I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't have some of his friends wet shaving before he leaves for boot camp. Or he might just tell them it's too hard for them so he can be the cool guy for a bit longer, one never knows about these kids nowadays.

[Double0757]

Cool story! The best part is that he will remember his grandfather, for the rest of his life, every time he shaves with a straight razor. The DE will serve him well in the Navy, in case he can not get his str8 service in time. I'm sure they will allow him a str8 on any ship after boot camp. However, straight razor shaving on high sea? That's another story! Double

[OldSoldier]

Unfortunately the str8 will not be allowed unless he is on shore duty. I checked the regs and the str8 would be considered a weapon while on board ship. BUT when I spoke with a recruiter he said when it comes down to it the final word rests with each ship's skipper, he gets to make the rules for his ship. That's why I bought the DE for him, plus the fact that str8 razor shaving could be quite tricky out at sea. Either way, he will have his choice.
When he joins the fleet I may ask him to look for razors when he hits foreign ports. That could lead to an interesting collection.

[mackie]

Strange that a straight would be considered a weapon. When I was in ( back in the days of iron men and wooden ships ) everyone on board was required to carry a sizeable knife. Just in case you steped into the bight of a line. But then, when I went to school, almost every boy carried a knife there too.
Many times I wish I had stayed in the Navy. My son is in now. A Master Chief with 17 years. You must be very proud of your grandson.

[OldSoldier]

Strange that a straight would be considered a weapon. When I was in ( back in the days of iron men and wooden ships ) everyone on board was required to carry a sizeable knife. Just in case you steped into the bight of a line. But then, when I went to school, almost every boy carried a knife there too.
Many times I wish I had stayed in the Navy. My son is in now. A Master Chief with 17 years. You must be very proud of your grandson.

If you check with the Chief I hope he will verify what the recruiter has told me about the razors. I have never fully trusted recruiters. Today's military is far different from when I first enlisted 31+ years ago. BUT even back then a straight razor or DE would not have been allowed in basic training, the str8 as a weapon and the DE for suicide prevention. Once basic and school was completed it didn't matter what a soldier chose to shave with. I believe the str8 might have drawn some unwanted attention until the user convinced the chain of command he was in fact using it for nothing but shaving.
I never did fully understand the suicide issue in basic training while I was there. It wasn't as though any of us were drafted, we all volunteered and if it ever got too rough all a person had to do was go through channels and he would have been sent home. Yet almost every veteran I have spoken with since 1981 has reported at least one suicide he had 1st hand knowledge of. 'nuf on that subject.
To say I'm proud of Trey is a bit of an understatement. While he chose the Navy over the Army or Marine Corps, which are the branches I served, I am still quite proud of him just for joining. He leaves for the MEPS tomorrow morning and won't be home until Thursday afternoon. I hope he gets his first choice for rating and doesn't have to wait until January like they are telling him.
IF he does have to wait 6 more months to ship he and I will put the time to good use preparing him for training. The boot camp training guidlline is available on-line and i told him that if he has to wait 6 more months he'll know all 478 pages front and back to ensure he's prepared and ready to compete for honor graduate. It will also give him more time to perfect his wet shaving techniques, both straight razor and with the DE we gave him for his birthday last night.
He was very happy when he opened his presents. He got a "gig" bag for his banjo to store it while he gone and a DE with the sample pack of blades, a travel shaving soap and a container for used blades. Normal people, those would shave the "modern" way might think the shaving gear my wife and I bought him might seem odd for a birthday present but Trey loved it and that's all that counts to us. I laughed when I showed him the adjust ment on the DE and told him the one I have doesn't have it. he looked at me and said "if you don't need it, I don't need it." I could have saved a few bucks on the razor if I had known that would be his attitude Anyway...
My wife got to actually talk with him about the whole wet shaving thing tonight for the 1st time. When she asked him how he liked it, he got a Chesire cat grin on his face and reported to her that he "loves" it and can't wait for his whiskers to come in so he can shave again. Does it sound like he might already be addicted after only 3 shaves? I am anxious to hear how he does and what he thinks of the DE as a back up to the straight razor.