My own son was 17 when he took up the art! Here's the link to when I posted about his first shave!
http://straightrazorpalace.com/shavi...tml#post674359
I gave him an 8/8 Friodur for the following Christmas, then his own strop for his birthday, then a set of custom scales for the next Christmas and a custom made strop will be his next birthday present and that's in 12 days! Now I'm stuck figuring out what to get him for Graduation!
It has really been rewarding that he wanted to learn the ancient art! He had a weekend JR ROTC meet this last weekend and took a DE (No Plastic Disposables in this Household!!) and when he called me to let me know when he'd be arriving home he said that he really missed his straight!
I know that it's a little off topic, but here's the link to his custom scales!
http://straightrazorpalace.com/custo...uilt-spec.html