Thread: Training our youth

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

My older son will be shaving within the next 12 months. I plan on getting him a double edged safety razor and brush and scuttle. I haven't decided on which razor would be best for him but I want to get him a razor that will last him his lifetime.

Anyone with a suggestion?

Originally Posted by MinniesMate

My older son will be shaving within the next 12 months. I plan on getting him a double edged safety razor and brush and scuttle. I haven't decided on which razor would be best for him but I want to get him a razor that will last him his lifetime.

Anyone with a suggestion?

Check out the Gillette Fatboy. It's adjustable, inexpensive, and built to last. As for a brush, personally I would start with something like an Omega boar brush. They're good qualit and also inexpensive. Once he's finished learning on it and learned how to take care of a brush, you can move up to nicer badgers. Don't be surprised if he hangs on to the Omega though...I love mine.

Go for a DE. My brother is considerably younger than me and I gave him a 60's era adjustable DE once he started getting the fuzz. I gave him a 10 minute course on how not to kill himself and he took it from there. As far as I know, he doesn't share my affinity for fine shaving products (how many teenagers do?). He does however use it regularly and without incident or need of someone watching him. Really, the only difference in danger with a DE and an M3 is changing the blade.

It doesn't sound like you've used a DE regularly- I apologize if I'm wrong- but it's easy. Just keep the following in mind:

*Like a straight, use minimal pressure.
*Get your angle right. Nothing will happen (literally) if the angle is off.
*Don't do sideways strokes
*Be careful when changing the blades. Mine locks fairly tight, so I just use a hand towel.
*Find a good brand of blades. Sampler kits are a good way to find this out.

Approach it like a straight and he'll do just fine.

I also think a DE is a good idea. If you're nervous, go for something gentle. A SuperSpeed is a really mild razor, and I use Derby's in mine (on the occasions that I use a DE). I can shave super quick with water only and not irritate my skin at all (and I have sensitive skin...). I also have a SS adjustable and find a 3 to be about the same as my normal SS. I tried on 1 just to see what it was like, and it barely shaved anything off. Talk about non-aggressive!

Give him a straight. You heal faster and learn faster when you are young. He will never have to go though the intermediate stages. Give him a head start. He'll be the coolest kid in school.

Concerning the safety aspect I think most people have more of a self preservation instinct than we give
them credit for. A demonstration of the sharpness of the blade and a stren talking to should instill a healthy respect of the blade. I wish it was the way I started.

I'm not qualified to give an answer, not having any kids and all, but I imagine the best thing to do is ask your son if he would be interested in this kind of thing. You can't really steer him into using a DE if he thinks it's old-fashioned and uncool.

You can explain that cartridge razors are not a modern, better equivalent, just the product of decades of clever marketing designed to turn consumers into a revenue stream. If you can get that message through then the battle is won.

There is a wonderful series of videos here explaining how cynically we are manipulated by manufacturers (and governments!), but it's probably a long shot getting a teenager to take an interest in watching them.

Originally Posted by fpatton

A couple of years ago, when my oldest son started shaving, I gave him a
......

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
.....

Fred, for goodness sake sit down and ask him.
This is not "The Big Talk" which you should also do.

If he wants to try DE or anything you use get him one.
Worst case he does not like it and he gives it back.
Make "giving it back" part of the deal as it ensures
him that he is not getting seconds.

Originally Posted by niftyshaving

Fred, for goodness sake sit down and ask him.

Best advice yet, among many excellent suggestions!

I'm not sure he'll appreciate the subtleties, but he does like the old-fashioned approach to things. For example, hisn favorite Christmas present, which was on the top of his list, was a quill pen. Go figure!

I've put a watch on a couple of vintage Gillettes on the 'Bay, and will give him several options, including a straight. Who knows - he may go for it.

"The talk" is a WHOLE separate issue, but at least I've been down that path before...

Fred

Originally Posted by fpatton

"The talk" is a WHOLE separate issue, but at least I've been down that path before...

Fred

Hah, just let him go through middle school and a year of high school.. My parents thought it appropriate to wait until my Junior year of highschool for that one.. I was asking questions about anatomical locales that they, in 28 years of marriage, had never heard of, and using ... "expressions" that they had never fathomed.

That is a Trial by Fire if every one were