Thread: Dad's teaching their sons

Any Dads out there teaching their boys the manly art of straight razor shaving?

My oldest boy is just starting to shave and was pretty enthusiastic about learning. I will probably first get him going on the shaving part and eventually work him up to honing and maintaining a blade if he stays interested. I'm curious if folks might have some exprience or pointer on this.

Mike, I can tell you right off the bat that it's good he's starting early, while the stubble isn't all there yet. That way, he can gradually adjust his technique as he matures and the stubble gets denser. Definitely use a butter knife and a dollar store belt to get him started on stropping.

Good suggestion on the butter knife. Also, I had the same thoughts about the advantages of learning early. He's still pretty much at the peach fuzz stage so it will give him plenty of time to develope technique. Young bucks being what they are, I'm also trying to instill in him a health respect for a razor.

Several safety and technique suggestions:
1) Mention that these razors are so sharp that you can cut yourself without even feeling it. If it's deep enough he'll get a scar so he better be careful.
2) Remind him to either go straight or in a scything motion but NEVER in a slicing motion, unless he's a big fan of scars.
3) Make sure you instill the importance of stretching the skin.

Does the son teaching the father count?
My dad has straigh razor shaved before but does not anymore. So now I am giving him aa razor on of my boar brushes and shaving lessons...kinda coool that I can help him learn something.
Starting early is a good thin i think but as with all sharp things, respect and saftey are key.

Lol I wish I could do the same with my dad, but he's been growing a beard for years now and he lives across the pond anyways, so tough luck.

I've taught all 3 of my sons to shave with the straight razor. The middle one probably uses it more than the other 2. It's a gas to hear them talk about it. So far only a couple of grand daughters though. We'll have to wait and see if any boys get here for another generation.

Lynn

Originally Posted by idaho mike

Any Dads out there teaching their boys the manly art of straight razor shaving?

My oldest boy is just starting to shave and was pretty enthusiastic about learning. I will probably first get him going on the shaving part and eventually work him up to honing and maintaining a blade if he stays interested. I'm curious if folks might have some exprience or pointer on this.

Oddly enough, sort of... I have 2 sons, aged 5 and 7. They see how I shave, and now, about every couple weeks, they insist that I shave the back of their neck when they get out of the bathtub. Brings a tear of joy to my eye. It's pretty cool, and a nice way to stretch out the times between haircuts, as I can keep their sideburns and the nape of their necks even and trimmed.