First razor for a boy coming of age
Ok guys, I'm looking for opinions, so let 'em rip!
My son just turned 15 and will be ready to start shaving soon. I want to gift him a starting shave set up/den, possibly for Christmas. Here are my thoughts, feel free to let me know if I am making any stupid assumptions. I currently shave with either a straight or a '56 Gillette SS with Personna blades from sally beauty. I think he would be best starting with a DE, and I'd like to get him something new/shiny, as I don't really have an heirloom piece or anything to hand down to him. I don't really know anything about new DEs, but some searching on here has turned up that the EJs are probably a fine place to start, and would last as long as he takes care of it. I do want to start him with a nice-ish brush (although I am currently using a VDH boar!). Honestly, I'd like to get the whole shebang wrapped up for ~$100. This is kind of the direction I am thinking of going, but PLEASE chime in if you see something and think "you can do WAY better than that piece for the same money!"
EJ DE86 (black) from Amazon - $31.08
VDH Luxury shave set from Amazon - $29.66
Blades - ??? probably start with the same Personnas that I use from SBS
AS/ASB - I have a few AS that he can try to see what he likes, and I use Nivea for men sensitive skin ASB, probably start him there, too.
Soap/creme (other than the VDH luxury) - I use either C.O. Bigelow creme (Proraso) or L'occitane Cade soap, either of which I assume would be fine for him.
Seems like this would in fact get the job done in my price range, and surely would be better than some plastic Mach 978 with canned goo. Any better options for the money that you guys and gals know of?
Schick Injector Razors: Where's The Love?
Yes, they're all "vintage" (curse eBay sellers for destroying that word's worth). And they're lightweight, sturdy, easy-to-use (fixed shaving angle), and oh-so findable and affordable, online.
Here's the result of an eBay search for "Schick injector razor". The models/styles are many and varied, and the prices are inexpensive; perhaps taking a look together might work well.
For PTFE-coated, injector razor blades, Ted Pella is the place to go.
It's like The Most Interesting Man In The World says: "I don't always shave with an injector razor; but when I do, I use a Schick."
Smooth shaving, my friends!
Update: This is a particularly good example (yes, I own one). It's a "newer" model, it's sturdy (damn near unbreakable), silver-and-black, the handle has "jimps" the full length on its sides, and the price! $29.99 (including S/H).