Thread: 1st DE for a 17 year old

Gday all,
i am looking to get my youngest (17 year old) a DE for Christmas to help clean up his patches of peach fuzz
he currently uses a disposable jobby about every 2nd week or so,
he really likes my str8s but isn't keen to scrape a sharp piece of unprotected steel on his face,
but I have him turning to wet shaving more & using my brush and a weak lathering soap I got to try but just doesn't lather thick enough for the str8, buts hold up ok for the multi-heads without clagging it up to quick.

So back on track I am asking the experienced DE users out there, what would be the recomended 1st DE for a fresh young face, I am prefering vintage but I will go new if it is the better option
I am thinking a fixed DE, or should I go the route of an adjustable? would this be better so that it will not be agressive?

If I can keep him on the right track I think he will come across to the straights eventually but not for a while.

I do have a Gillette #58 Made in England DE I inherited from my Grandfather but I am not sure if this is a good beginners razor or not,
I would like him to have it eventually, if he keeps the full wet shaving up, otherwise it will go the first grandchild to show the most interest I think.


PS. I have given up all hope for my 20 year old as he is dedicated electric shaver & unfortunatley I can't see him coming across anytime in the foreseable future for any wet shaving set up. LOL

The first DE I got was a Gillette as a gift from a member here, ZeroCool,,, 1956 I believe, great shaver,,,, it will go to my son who will start shaving in about 6 months. Since that first DE,,, I have collected many.

Christmas is a ways off,,,, so if you want, I will give you a nice vintage Gillette with blades to give him. If he does not take to it, then you can use it yourself.

If interested, PM me your address before Christmas, it takes 3 to 4 weeks to get things to Australia from here.

paying it forward !!! that's class !!!

I would totally take Hirlau up on that great offer! Keeping it Australian "Good on ya Hirlau!" If for some reason you go a different direction, my first DE was a Edwin Jagger de89 and it's still one of my favs.

None of my DE's are modern, I enjoy taking them off antique store shelves & giving life back to them. Someday I intend on buying a modern DE,,,, someday.

sounds awesome Hirlau, thank you very much for the offer
like I said I do have the Gillette #58 I'm just not sure if it is a good starter DE for him.
if you think you have a good starter for him I will take you up on the offer & we can work something out.
PM on its way
thanks again
Dion

I started with a German Merkur when i was 15. Switched to straights at 17. I like the german merkur classic, 3 piece beautiful chrome finish, it still looks like new. Great razor for a great price! Was $30

Originally Posted by BeeManFOREVER

...german merkur classic, 3 piece beautiful chrome finish, it still looks like new. Great razor for a great price! Was $30

Concur - fine little razor, mild enough to be safe but still gives a great shave.

Still, it's less the razor and more the instruction. Wish someone had taught me how to shave right when I was 17.

Jumping away from the vintage theme of this thread, the mildest yet still very effective razors I know of are the Edwin Jagger DE89 and the Merkur Progress. Just my 2c.

Im only 24 but grew up with knives and truthfully my fascination with sharp blades drew me to straights in general. Then I got the best shaves of my life and well that was it for me never looked back.

As a youth I think your kids will come around. I wouldnt have touched a straight at 17 but a couple years and a few sets of stitches from knives and razors(not for shaving) I think helped with the fear aspect quite a bit.