Thread: Teaching my son to shave.. need advice

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.

Originally Posted by cahnwulf

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!

Let us know how it goes.

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.

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.[/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?

Originally Posted by cahnwulf

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.[/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!