Thread: Have you taught your son to use a straight?

Taught one of my sons when he was 18, 4 years ago. It's not an obsession with him. Some kids are strange.

I had the privilege of teaching my nephew. Unfortunately his Mum wouldn't let me tech him straights but I taught him to use a DE and he is hooked. I am sure that when he is older he will be wanting to learn with a straight too. He is only 14 at the moment.

Being a life long bachelor I don't have any kids.............that I know of. I did teach two young guys though. One is a cousin of mine who now has serious RAD and has a fine collection of NOS razors. The other guy only shaves once a year and when he does he borrows my shave cave and equipment.

The only 2 males in the family on my wife's side, a nephew in his 40s and his son late teens, are not interested in shaving with a straight razor. The nephew's son seems a little freaked out by it even. One thing for sure and that is to encourage them if they are interested but don't force anything on them. I think I'd really have to take a look at a kids maturity level, not age, before agreeing to teach them how to shave with a straight razor. Good luck to all who do endeavor to teach their kids though.

Bob

I failed to generate any interest in wet shaving with my younger brother. He believes it is way too much hassle and finds that his electric beard/hair trimmer does a close enough job for his needs.

A good friend of mine seriously thinks I am jeopardizing my life by shaving with straights, so I no longer update him with any of my wet-shaving exploits.

I just got my 19 y/o off the electric razor (actually, it was at his request), but only using the multiblades so far. He's away at college. I'll move him into the DE when he comes home for summer. I don't think straights would be practical living in a dorm.

Also, I am evangelical about DE shaving when talking to multiblade shavers. You can sell the extreme cost savings and the bbs shaves. I love my straights, but they are not economical compared to a DE, and of course they are a pain in the ass to learn and maintain. I get help, which I am happy to get, but that's not a selling point for someone looking at options.

I have only one daughter and one granddaughter. The best I can hope for anytime soon is to convince my son-in-law that straight razors are better than the electric razor he now uses. He has a heavy beard that is very dark in color, so a close shave with a straight razor would be a real advantage for him.

When I die or get too old to be trusted with a straight razor against my throat, I need someone to inherit my collection of razors and hones. If I live long enough, perhaps my granddaughter will marry someone who is a candidate for straight razors. Until then, my son-in-law is my best option.

Originally Posted by Speedster

A good friend of mine seriously thinks I am jeopardizing my life by shaving with straights, so I no longer update him with any of my wet-shaving exploits.

I find it a common misconception that shaving with a straight is 'Dangerous'. I believe that it comes from the years and years of DE's, Electrics and Cartidges none of which have an unprotected blade at least while shaving.

When I would mention that I used Straight Razors and I'd get the 'dangerous' thing and or the "Aren't you afraid you'll cut your face" thing I'd just say "Do I look cut all to hell"? Once people got that in their head they usually mellowed and would ask more in depth questions.

Originally Posted by cudarunner

I find it a common misconception that shaving with a straight is 'Dangerous'. I believe that it comes from the years and years of DE's, Electrics and Cartidges none of which have an unprotected blade at least while shaving.

When I would mention that I used Straight Razors and I'd get the 'dangerous' thing and or the "Aren't you afraid you'll cut your face" thing I'd just say "Do I look cut all to hell"? Once people got that in their head they usually mellowed and would ask more in depth questions.

Exactly, Roy. Everyone forgets that once upon a time, the only way to shave was using straights. I don't remember grandpa regaling me with stories of men accidentally killing themselves shaving. Maybe we are so far removed from those times that such razors are seen strictly as weapons?

Oh well. Guess the majority of men today can relish the convenience of the superior shaving, multi-multi-bladed disposable razors with high-tech lubricating strips and other gimmicky features. The increase in number of tiny, crap blades a razor can hold is like an arms race with no end in sight. Too bad the resulting shave is, well, less than ideal.

Sorry, OP.

To me I had 2 dauther's and my oldest past away when she was 18. My other dauther had no intention to become a mother so chance is are that I won't be able to pass it to my grand son. If she change her mind maybe or I can still pass it on to her boyfriend never know.