Thread: Teaching a teen how to shave for first time

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?

Originally Posted by rolodave

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 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.

Originally Posted by feltspanky

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.

This is definitely good advice.

Originally Posted by edhewitt

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?

Respecting the edge is key. You don't want to have to hone the blade every week or two.

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 <:-}

Originally Posted by edhewitt

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'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).

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

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!