Thread: Teaching a boy to use a straight?

I just this week showed my (newly turned) 17yo how to shave with a cut-throat.
We haven't seen each other for a couple of years (don't get me started) and he has always used an electric.
Even with the few pimples that he has he did extremely well and got a smooth shave, with no blood, on his cheeks and jawline.
I hope this will be the start of something we can share over the distance between us.
If he wants I will do one up for him, however at this stage, he'll have to put up with the electric he has at home.
I miss him.

All 3 of my sons learned to use the straight razor before the DE in their teen years. It actually was a lot of fun teaching them.

To teach a son to use a straight would be great! Go for it but remember that if you start to young and they have problems it might turn them off of it.


Richard

I taught my 21 year old to use a straight a few months ago. Like me, he likes 'old' things and has used the straight I gave him (an Emil Kronenberg Sen) from then on. I told him about this forum but he hasn't checked it out yet, so he's only had the one lesson from me, and he seems to do just fine. As I said in another thread, I just need to get him to buy a bloody strop (he uses his belt)!

I felt very 'fatherly' teaching him this skill, and I often give him creams when they're almost finished for him to try. I also taught him to hone.

Originally Posted by Havachat45

I just this week showed my (newly turned) 17yo how to shave with a cut-throat.
We haven't seen each other for a couple of years (don't get me started) and he has always used an electric.
Even with the few pimples that he has he did extremely well and got a smooth shave, with no blood, on his cheeks and jawline.
I hope this will be the start of something we can share over the distance between us.
If he wants I will do one up for him, however at this stage, he'll have to put up with the electric he has at home.
I miss him.

I feel your pain, I am getting ready to move soon, and I will not have the access to my children that I have now. I know what you mean about "don't get me started" (I lived in Casorate Primo, Pavia, Italy - not too far from Milano for a while, I know the games a little too well; going to be going through them again in a little while).

I cannot wait to show my son, he will be taking an interest soon (he is a mini-me .... well I am 5'8" and he is 5'10"). If he takes to this I will get him better quality stuff than I am having delivered.

Seems like to teach the straight first will make him an expert quickly. Like learning a new language, some things are best learned young. I imagine he will be out-shaving you within a year and then teaching you proper technique.