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So my 13yo nephew asked me to teach him how to shave. My sister is a single mom and dads not around so I feel really honered that he asked me to teach him. I would love for him to learn the SR. Is a SR too much for a first timer? I guess ultimately I will leave it up to him. I just wanted to get some opinions from some of you. Would you start a teen off with a SR.?
This is a great thread.
With two grandsons a few years away from shaving I have, however, had the same question.
My thought would be to start a new shaver with a DE and let them gravitate to a SR. JMO
I would also echo rolodaves' advice. Teach them how to shave with a DE razor first. Very important to understand how pressure, angle, and skin stretching affects shaving performance.
How did we shave before DE's?
I've never read nor heard of any mass population problems with youngsters killing themselves with straight razors before DEs.
My opinion is if they can handle the straight start with a straight!
But, then again I'm a country kid that was allowed to carry pocket knifes before I could ride a bike, shot rifles for food before I could shave, otherwise raised old school.
It depends on how mature you think he is, will he respect the edge, will he look after it properly, will he show all his friends?
I think the same way . . . I started with DEs and then got the bug for using a Straight. No reason it would not be the same with your nephew. Wish my godson's were like that. Only shaver I can "pass this down" to is my daughter, and I know NOTHING about shaving my legs.Quote:
Originally Posted by rolodave
This is definitely good advice.Quote:
Originally Posted by feltspanky
Respecting the edge is key. You don't want to have to hone the blade every week or two.Quote:
Originally Posted by edhewitt
I have a feeling his mom would have much to say about using a straight.
I would start him with a DE until he gets the wet shaving thing down and then if mom approves start with a straight.
I agree with most everyone else. Start him with the d/e and lathering. Then tempt him with something that teens love to do...give him a good number of straight razor shaving videos to watch and see if they spark any interest. Some kids will just want to hurry up and get the shaving job done. Others will develop an interest in taking shaving to the next level. In a little time you'll know the path that he is going to take.
Good luck!! This is an admirable job to take on.
Pete <:-}
Personally, I wouldn't hesitate to start the young'n out with straights... assuming, of course, that he has a modicum of coordination. After all, EVERYONE started out that way at one time!
Thinking back to my own experience. I started with very little instruction and a straight razor. The barber that I convinced to sharpen my straight razor, that he did with great reluctance, gave me an oral run down on shaving and stropping. That was my start. I regretfully later abandoned shaving for the most part for the next 25 years, mostly sporting a beard of some sort. Then returned to the straight once I had a job that required me to be clean shaven. With instruction he would do just fine. One of the lads from my house said one day (20 yrs old) that he want to shave with a straight. Had seen it done several times just picked it up and went for it. It was super easy for him. Although he knows no fear. I was a little more timid both times I started.
I'm with my friend Ed, it would 'depend' on maturity. If they are mature enough to take it responsibly, and take care of the razor and other equipment and not make it a 'show and tell' thing then I would encourage it (with parental consent).Quote:
Originally Posted by edhewitt
In the days gone by that was the only way that a young man would be shaving. They would have learned from a father, older brother, uncle and or even a neighbor.
At 13 he would be a year younger than our parkerskouson who as best as I know is the youngest member at joining time here at the ripe old age of 14.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe...erskouson.html
For some reason, his video of his first shave doesn't seem to exit anymore, I'll get in touch with my young friend and see if he can re post it here and perhaps even share his thoughts about all of this/maybe even his folks thoughts :shrug:
I don't have any children so it's easy for me to opine, but I believe I would.Quote:
Originally Posted by Xtrmln
My dad was a confirmed electric razor shaver and all he said was "Here. Don't press too hard and don't try to get it all."
I couldn't stand the lousy results so I gravitated to multi blade razors which irritated my skin for the next 40 years.
We're a bunch of retroshavers that got fed up with today's shaving methods and checked ourselves in to the Lynn Abrams Clinic for rehab.
Don't let what happened to us happen to your nephew. Get him started on a straight razor so he can avoid the substance abuse we went through before we sought help.
'Was glad to see the honorable Cudarunner weigh in. His own son was proud to get an 8/8 Friodur & later some breathtaking scales by 'sixgunner. The fact that Dad's not around is sad & may weigh on attributes of maturity, etc. Whether he starts w/ a DE, str8, or something hideous, he'll be better off for having an Uncle that loves him to work with whatever he goes with.
Hello!
I am the parkerskouson as mentioned above. I cannot seem to find the video of my first shaving experience which saddens me deeply.
In my opinion, maybe ask the boy? If he desires to shave with a straight razor, let him! If he wants to start out with a DE, let him! I use both regularly now(that I actually have to shave) and enjoy them both for different reasons. I actually managed my first shave at 14 without one cut! If he as an uncle who is already part of the community, even better! Pass your knowledge onto your nephew, he will never forget it! You can give him real time tips as he is learning which really can't be replaced. Great people here(even in this thread) helped me out over email, and that help was the only reason I didn't mess up both razor and face perminatley! But in person is and will always be the best way to learn!
If he as any questions feel free to have him contact me via PM with your account. I'd love to answer any questions he's has from a person who has been in his shoes at a previous time!
Parker
Just wanted to say thank you to everyone who responded here on this topic. All very good points.
With moms approval and teens desire after watching a couple of vids he is all gun ho to try a SR.
I think we will be shaving together a little later this morning. I am fortunate that I have spent some good time with him lately. (Lives across the state from me) I race RC cars and recently got him one so we could share the hobby. In watching him with that hobby I was very impressed with his ability to take instruction and his attention to detail in the process of putting it together/repairing. So I'm confident that he is at a maturity level to attempt to learn the SR. Maybe just maybe his maturity level can be at least 1/2 of his mustache growth level. I didn't have a stache of his caliber until I was in my late twentys.
Anyways thanks again for the solid advice. Well taken and considered here.
Congrats!
I do hope the shave will go well! I recently helped an 18 year old co worker get started in this age old art. While there is a thread about it, I won't hijack this one so here's a pic of the look on his face after his first pass and feeling the smoothness of his face;
Attachment 194141
He did finish up with one of my De's;
Attachment 194142
So I guess I'm 'suggesting' that you try to get us some pics!
Attachment 194143
He looks very satisfied.
Good job instructing.
I 'think' that overwhelmed and or astonished would be a better description of his reactions to his first pass with a Straight. He was 'almost' as impressed with the DE that he finished up with.Quote:
Originally Posted by rolodave
I can't find it either - looks like it disappeared from youtube :( http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...tml#post991119Quote:
Originally Posted by parkerskouson
My vote would have been straight razor so I was glad to read that's the choice. Can't wait to hear the results.
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...
Congrats CarlQuote:
Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider
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). :w
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. :shrug:
Agreed - my son is eager to learn...he has it all planned out...DE first then move into straights.Quote:
Originally Posted by cudarunner
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.
I would also think that pre-shave prep would include a wash sufficient to exfoliate dead skin and take care of any pimples prior to the razor getting the chance to do so.
Well, I will have to wait for my grandkids to have someone to 'influence' about shaving. I'll certainly expose them to safeties and straights, but I'll let them choose what they want to pick up.
