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Hey Folks,
My (almost) 12 year old son is about ready to start shaving....not much, but its good to get practice in. I wanted to start him out with a safety razor but have my reservations as he does have epilepsy. Do you think that I should go this route or teach him basics off wet shaving with a disposable blade?
If I choose a safety razor, what should I get him?
Thank you all for your advice!
I understand your situation. I have a seven year old granddaughter with almost uncontrollable seizures from birth. Much research and strange diets and medication have somewhat smoothed out the frequency, but my son and his wife are always on the alert, as I am sure you are, of her daily state of being.
I think, considering the situation I would teach him prep with brush and cream or soap and have him use a multi blade disposal for the time being. Almost impossible to cut yourself with one of those. I still can cut myself with a DE if I'm not careful. As to my own challenges, I have had a life long series of tics and jerks that are just about under daily control. They go away totally when I am under heavy stress. I have to say a silent prayer and think Zen stillness (I'm not kidding) each morning before I touch straight to face.
I take it you have a heavy beard if 12 year old son is this close to shaving. I think I was 16 before I started shaving.
Best wishes and let us know his progress:)
Hi,
Since your son is 12 years old and doesn't have much of a beard I would probably start him off with some type of cartridge razor maybe even a disposable type. I would stay away from double edge. Too sharp no matter how mild the razor may seem. I think he should watch you shave several times just to get the idea what wet shaving is all about before he starts. I want to wish you and your son all the best.
I think most of us forget that at one point straight razors, and later on safety razors, were the primary method of shaving. All men had to learn how to use one or would have to shell out for a barber shave - or be stuck with a beard.
IMO a DE would be fine, with some fatherly guidance. Some type of mild razor would be best. A Gillette Tech is mild, and perhaps some other members would be able to recommend a mild new production razor as well (I can't, as I prefer more aggressive razors). Derby blades would be a good initial choice as well.
Edwin Jagger makes an incredibly smooth razor. Paired with an astra platinum or, my personal favourite, an iridium, it's nearly impossible to cut yourself. I can shave across my neck from ear to ear (only with the iridiums mind you) and not get any cuts.
Razorfeld: his seizures aren't totally under control, he recently had a breakthrough seizure so they started him on a different regiment of meds. Technically he is my step son, and his biological father is like a werewolf... but for all intents and purposes..he is my boy.
All of you have given me great suggestions (great thing I love about this place) and I think I will let some that's chime in as well. Right now I'm looking at the disposable kind, but a good boar hair brush and some VDH.
More power to you. My son and daughter-in-law adopted that child at birth and the epilepsy didn't surface til several months later. Good choices for equipment. Buy the VDH starters package. Your son will feel very special at his age to have his own brush, bowl and soap combo. Bragging rights abound in his peer group when that happens!Quote:
Originally Posted by cahnwulf
Let us know how it goes. :rock:
I agree, get him started the right way to shave. A DE, soap, a brush, and the bonding time you share will be priceless
[QUOTE=cahnwulf;1198573] Technically he is my step son, and his biological father is like a werewolf... but for all intents and purposes..he is my boy.
QUOTE]
Technically, he's your son and you're his father if you're taking the responsibility to raise him, any fool with a twig and berries can be a biological dad, but it takes a special kind of man to be a father.:tu
Technically, he's your son and you're his father if you're taking the responsibility to raise him, any fool with a twig and berries can be a biological dad, but it takes a special kind of man to be a father.:tu[/QUOTE
He is one hell of a kid and I couldnt be any more proud of him. I've never used a DE, went straight from a fusion to a SR. So i dont know squat about them. Is there going to be a big chance that he could do serious damage with a DE if he had a seizure?
Depends on the aggression of it. The Edwin Jagger that I have is really mild so I don't think any serious damage could be done with it. No more than a cartridge anyway. They're super smooth and user friendly! :)Quote:
Originally Posted by cahnwulf
I shaved with my two boys and we discussed what was happening and why while we shaved. They are young adults now and when we get together we often shave together
My first question would be what does he want to use or how does he feel about shaving? I would go from there.
I would concentrate on the other parts of the shave for now. Work on the prep with the brush, finding a soap he likes and good post shave treatment routine. As far as the razor goes I would vote for a modern multi blade or a very mild DE. Start with the techniques (3 pass shave, ect..) and terms (WTG, XTG, ATG...... ) Hopefully all of this (and the time with you) will make this a fun experience. You can always move to another type of razor later.
Just my 2 cents. I have idly wondered about teaching my twin boys to shave down the road.
What blades are you using with the Edwin Jagger?Quote:
Originally Posted by kwlfca
I think that's outstanding advice. If shaving doesn't become a hobby for him like it is for many of us, I might suggest playing it safe with an electric razor. If he does want to go the DE route like Dad, perhaps someone can change the blade for him so he doesn't have to handle the blade.Quote:
Originally Posted by thebigspendur
I would suggest my favorite, Medical Personna (Personna Prep Blades). If you will PM me with your address I'll send you some, and perhaps a sample of some other brands I have lying around. Feathers are the sharpest, so I would only use them if the others are too mild.Quote:
Originally Posted by cahnwulf
If you want a Jagger razor for your son, here's a big sale with free shipping Edwin Jagger DE89L Double Edge Safety Razor with Lined Handle | RoyalShaveQuote:
Originally Posted by cahnwulf
I certainly do appreciate the offer Cajun - when I get home tonight I will talk with him to see what he might be interested in doing. If he is interested in going the wet shaving/DE route - ill check out SRD or Royal Shave and might take you up on that offer for the blades.
Who knows - he might just pick an electric <shudder> :banghead:
I know this is heresy, but under the circumstances you might want to consider a 2 blade cart (if he doesn't want to go electric). You can find good handles for them (not plastic) and they are not expensive like the 3 blades and up carts. It is by far the safest form of blade shaving and it is still wet shaving.
I use super iridium blades. very nice blades.Quote:
Originally Posted by cahnwulf
Just taught my oldest to shave not that long ago..at least it seems that way to me..lol. I taught him to use (God forbid) cartridge razors, but with using a brush and cream rather than canned goop. At least that way he learns the proper prep, and I already have a DE set aside should he decide to want to go further after he's used to shaving his fluff and has some real hair. My second oldest has already said "I want to shave like you" and the youngest has wanted his own straight since he was about 6 and he's only 9 now..he's even gone as far as to ask for my collection when "I'm gone" lol. One of my proudest moments was teaching the boy to shave, no matter how you do it you'll remember it forever :)
And that's how I'm going to remember it. I got home from work today and told him to tag along as I shaved.... and then it happened, like a mother bear to her cub... SWMBO stepped in and said "No, he is too young" at the risk of being verbally disemboweled, I said "Honey, this is a man thing...father and son only, you can't override natu......" So with my pillow in hands I need to decide which couch to sleep on. :shrug:Quote:
Originally Posted by Catrentshaving
I hope that he is able to tell when the seizures are coming....no matter what kind of razor he is using. Best of luck, follow what your heart and common sense tells you.