Thread: Teaching a teen how to shave for first time

Giddy up, another great story on the forum. Im keen to find out how it went for you guys, what a great moment to share with someone showing them the road to manhood.

I've taught both my sons to shave with a straight razor, how to strop and I taught the older son how to hone. Very fullfilling experience...

Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

I've taught both my sons to shave with a straight razor, how to strop and I taught the older son how to hone. Very fullfilling experience...

Congrats Carl

Reading your process would be very informative.

An update. Well it just didn't pan out this time. Between my sons basketball and baseball schedule and my nephews need to get home we ran out of time. However I was pleased to hear my nephew say that he wanted to wait until we had enough time to not have to hurry. I'm planning a trip to see him soon with the main objective to teach him to use the straight. I can't wait. I really look foward to creating a long lasting memory and bond that a first shave lesson creates. Like I have said I remember mine with fondness like it was yesterday. In the meantime I will gather up all the equipment he will need. I will probably start him out with a dovo best quality 5/8 round. Then I will patiently wait for the time when I can pass down some of my razors to him when the end is near or has arrived. My eleven year old is a tad bit jealous but as I told him his time will come. This brings another question. I have seen that there are practice SR with blunt edges. I have conflicting views on these. Good or bad for shaving peach fuzz at an early age? My first shave was at 5 with a dummy DE. However I worry about creating a lack of respect for the blade with a SR. What do you guys think?

I would vote no . . . you are not teaching him anything with a toy, so why bother? Let him wait, see his cousin's progress and, when the time comes, he will have a far greater appreciation of "his" time with you.

I see no harm at all. In fact I have a 9/16 Round point that I have intentionally dulled the edge to were you could ride it to town and not get cut.

I feel that it allows someone to be able to learn how to hold the blade while learning the motions. It also is Much Better than using a butter knife to learn how to not cut up your strop (well at least not as badly).

If I can be on hand (like with my young co worker) then I don't have them use the dulled blade, they go right to the shave ready straight. However I will send it home for them to practice on however they wish.

To each their own.

Originally Posted by cudarunner

I see no harm at all. In fact I have a 9/16 Round point that I have intentionally dulled the edge to were you could ride it to town and not get cut.

I feel that it allows someone to be able to learn how to hold the blade while learning the motions. It also is Much Better than using a butter knife to learn how to not cut up your strop (well at least not as badly).

If I can be on hand (like with my young co worker) then I don't have them use the dulled blade, they go right to the shave ready straight. However I will send it home for them to practice on however they wish.

To each their own.

Agreed - my son is eager to learn...he has it all planned out...DE first then move into straights.

Thanks for the paragraph breaks, I could read without my eyes bleeding.

I have one to add...

PIMPLES!

At the tender age of 13 I agree you probably want to use a DE. He also may not be mature enough to care for a Straight just yet. I was shocked when I found rust on Straight I gave my 23 year old son.

Just food for thought.

You wouldn't teach them to drive in a pretend car, so use a real razor.

I taught them everything from how to soak the brush, make the lather, strop, etc via demonstration and explanation.

I start with filling the sink with hot water, placing the bowl in that, with water in the bowl and placing the brush in the bowl. If I'm using soap I dribble some hot water on top if the soap to soften it a little. I then have a shower. After the shower I empty the water from the sink and bowl and re-fill with hot water. I then wet my face. I take the brush and hold it above the sink, bristles facing downwards at around should height and move it rapidly downwards (like an elevator going down) five times to remove some of the water (i.e. I don't flick the brush to remove the water). I then make the lather. I lather my face and then strop, 30/70 linen leather. I then shave, using my right hand.

I think if you do a good demo and explain it all well they'll pick it up. I do also shudder at the pimple scenario!

It seems to me that the process of lathering with a brush and shaving with a quality razor as in a straight of safety razor is suppose to be good at clearing acne and pimples, however I wouldn't think by cutting them off. Perhaps that will be part of the instructional.