A couple of years ago, when my oldest son started shaving, I gave him a Mach 3, a can of my (then) favorite shaving goop, and some lessons on how to get a decent shave. Things worked out pretty well. He shaves regularly, and doesn't see shaving as either a chore or a hobby, so with a teenager I call that a win.

Now I find that my younger son is about ready to start shaving as well. That shadow over his lip is getting pretty dark!

Here's my dilemma: do I get him his own Mach 3, which is safe and easy to use, or try to start him on a DE? (There's no way he'll go for a straight now, and I don't really want him to at this point. Kids have no sense of their own mortality, and he would quit the first time he sliced himself open.) When I think back at my own flirtation with DE shaving, it wasn't very successful, but that was back in the days when we didn't have access to experts on wet shaving. I think I could help him make it a success, but it's definitely higher risk than the Mach 3.

One thought I had was Mach 3, but shaving brush and soap or cream to start him down the right path. My older son is already starting to appreciate the shaving brush, and really likes the Nivea aftershave.

To keep costs down, if I went the DE route, I was going to get the Retro Razor kit.

Any thoughts on this, or stories of success or failure with your sons?

Thanks!

Fred