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

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.

For Christmas my son received a plastic DE razor, foam and brush. He and I have shave get togethers on his weekends with me, I use a straight and I have been teaching him to use his DE razor. He is 10 so I already know these moments are not lasting forever, he tells me he likes spending these times together. Gives me a great feeling and a huge smile. I look forward to teaching him the way of the straight in the next few years after he learns a real DE.

For me, I'm following what I did as a kid. I remember being fascinated by watching my dad using a DE/straight as well as my uncle who was a lot more fanatical about shaving with a straight! Today I have a 9 year only boy and we both wet shave on the weekends (son with any blades!!) or weekdays when the stress of getting out of the house remits. He has his own butterfly DE, his prized possession the shavette, his own lather bowl, a strop (an old leather belt of mine) and a couple of brushes. Let me tell you that he can whip up one hell of a lather at 9 years old. I have an old Sheffield razor with the edge taken off for his 10th birthday..

I have 2 step sons. The eldest, 22, uses a cartridge type piece of junk, but I have managed to convince him to use a brush and shave cream. The youngest, 18, uses a mix of electric and cartridge with goo in a can. I truly despair!!

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.