Teaching your sons how to shave?

[boggemogge]

I noticed that a lot of guys here did not learn how to shave from their fathers. I´m one of those guys. My father just gave me a mach 3, some cream and left me with years of burns and skin problems.

I have a 4 year old son and it´s quite a while before he will start shave (but he plays with my shaving stuff...except my razors).

I thought about how I will introduce shaving to him when it´s time. I picture us going together to a barbershop where he can pick what he wants and if he pick a cartridge I just have to bite my tongue, but if he chose a DE or straight I will be very proud.

It´s actually the rest that bothers me a little because I know the troubles that comes with bad shaving habits. I just want´s to give him a really good introduction to shaving without forcing my own interests upon him.

I´m curious how you guys have done with you sons or how you are planning to teach them? Does it come automatically in a natural way?

I also think that this subject should be of great importance for us, we have to teach our sons good shaving tradition so that we can brake the evil spiraling circle of cartridges.

 

[Steveareno]

You might find this article about teaching one's teenage son to shave helpful:

http://www.shaving101.com/index.php...-in-patience-teaching-your-teen-to-shave.html

Another tip I've seen is to start them on a fixed head cartridge, such as the Merkur Twin Blade razor. Using a fixed head cartridge will help him develop the habit of holding the razor at fixed angle, rather than letting the pivoting head do all the work. Then the transition to a DE razor will be easier.

http://www.classicshaving.com/catalog/item/6887218/194585.htm

I have daughters, so I won't have any male progeny to teach until they have sons (on the assumption that their dads, whoever they are, won't be DE or straight razor shavers. Maybe I should make that a requirement for any future sons-in-law!).

 

[mistercitizen]

Good thought/question. I have two sons (8 and 11 years old) and I've thought about this a little bit in a general way. I think about what and how I learned things from my father..... not just shaving, but other things as well. I was a very shy little guy and very reluctant to ask questions so I became very observant when it came to learning things from my father. I spent more time watching him while he wasn't aware of me watching him.... I guess you could say that I learned more by example with most things. When it comes to matters of hygiene and personal care it's tough to learn that way..... because it's such a personal thing. I ended up teaching myself many things and learning what to do (and what NOT to do) from buddies in the locker room or dorm at college. My boys don't seem to be so timid around me so I feel like I can show them how I do it and let them try it that way..... and let them try a different way if they don't like the way I do it. I think my dad didn't impose much of his beliefs on me because my grandad had one way of doing things..... his way (my dad lovingly refers to living in my grandfather's house as living "according to the world of Myron". But I always respected his approach to things and even though he gave me the freedom to try different things and make mistakes, there were times when I wished he would've given me a little more direction. Ultimately, shaving is a very personal thing and along with that comes doing it according to your personal preferences.... but if it's important to you (as it obviously is with most of us here) then your sons will probably realize that and associate it with you in a loving way. I see myself showing my sons how and being open with them about it. It's not like jock itch and hemroids ..... but it is personal..... and as we say around here YMMV.

I guess I didn't give you much of a technical approach to teaching a young man how to shave.... but technically, I'm still learning myself. I just hope that in a few years when my oldest is ready to shave that, technically, I will be a good example to follow.

Ben

 

[wurls]

I'm already working on teaching my boy the intricacies of finer shaving. He's learning how to mix your own cream/soap in a scuttle, using hot water instead of cold, applying the lather properly with a brush, being careful not to shave off too much at once, and how to splash on an aftershave. It's all in good fun, as he's learning lots when he sees Daddy shaving and wants to become more and more involved. Oh yeah, he's only 3.
Here's a few pics.

 

[demaro]

My son will be 9 next month. He wants to use a bush , soap and de when he starts shaving.

 

[BigBull]

Although I have many many years before I'm faced with this, I would share many of the sentiments above. Your son will associate your habits and actions in a loving way because obviously your a thoughtful father. Not wanting to force your own ways on him will inevitably make him want to do it "your way". If I was a gambling man, I would bet Wurls doesn't shut the door when he shaves. He allows his son to peek in the room and watch, etc...next thing he knows, his 3 yr old is playing with his brushes.

My father was part of the electric razor world, and it worked well for him. He barley had facial hair and aboslutely no body hair. Without disclosing too much, believe me I'm the exact opposite. He always told me I got my mothers traits in regards to that. LMFAO.

Anywas, I struggled using an electric with crazy burn everytime. I never really had a problem with a cartridge but it certainly wasn't ideal. I seeked wet shaving out on my own in my 20's and it changed everything. Passing along education and knowledge about life and the things that come with it is what our duties as a father is. I don't plan to force my son into anything in life, but without a doubt he will ask one day and I will be there to help him. I know you will too.

BTW, being a father is the best thing that has ever happened in my life. Good Luck.

 

[g286unn]

It's kind of funny that you posted this now. 2 days ago I took my oldest son up to the den for his first DE shave. He had been curious since I got my first DE a couple of months ago. So I made him a nice Poraso lather and let him have at it with a Gillette ball-end Tech with an Astra platinum. Of course, his beard is pretty whispy at 15 years of age, but he came through with no bloos loss after a wtg pass which pretty much cleaned up his peach fuzz. I think he enjoyed it, and will probably try is again a few times at least. Prior to this I had gotten him a bag of disposable cartridge razors and a can of goo. He did mention that the brush and soap was his favorite part. Also gave him a splash of the Clubman to finish, which he also likes. It is the only AS I have that he always comments on favorably when I wear it.

 

[wurls]

If I was a gambling man, I would bet Wurls doesn't shut the door when he shaves. He allows his son to peek in the room and watch, etc...next thing he knows, his 3 yr old is playing with his brushes.

I always have my door shut, as I like the peacefulness in the bathroom, and I make sure I am alone. If I didn't shut the door, I'd have the kids, the dog, the wife...etc etc going in and out of the bathroom.
My son just saw me shaving one day and asked if he could shave like Daddy. Now, he will wait until my shave is done before asking to have a "pretend" shave. Done with a plastic razor and Daddy's lather.

You're right...fatherhood is the best thing to happen!

 

[Evbo]

My oldest guy is gonna be 15 in a couple of weeks. I've already shaved his little 'stache for him twice (and posted about it). He knows shaving is an obsession a hobby of mine and he's never shown the slightest interest. He always just rolls his eyes. But now that he's gonna need to mow his own lawn, he's starting to show a little bit of interest. We'll see how it develops.

 

[P Funk]

My oldest son is almost 13 and I taught/showed him how to shave with a disposable. I had to start around his age (unfortunately) with no one showing me how...luckily at this point, it's a once every few months kind of thing so I'm sure I'll go over it with him again. Also being relatively new to DE, he has not been as exposed to it. If he is interested, I'll be more than happy to share with him.

To the question of 'does it come natural?' - Yes, just like anything else you would teach/show your son/daughter.
No biggie - just have fun!

Especially if you didn't have anyone show you, it's quite a pleasure to do something for your kids that you were unable to experience yourself.

 

[P Funk]

I'm already working on teaching my boy the intricacies of finer shaving. He's learning how to mix your own cream/soap in a scuttle, using hot water instead of cold, applying the lather properly with a brush, being careful not to shave off too much at once, and how to splash on an aftershave. It's all in good fun, as he's learning lots when he sees Daddy shaving and wants to become more and more involved. Oh yeah, he's only 3.
Here's a few pics.View attachment 252568View attachment 252569

That's awesome. My daughter does the same thing - she doesn't care that she is not going to have to shave her face when she grows up

 

[BrentS]

When mine got the age where they needed more than little swipe to clear some fuzz, the hormones had started leaving a plethora of bumps and pimples that would have made a bloody battlefield of their faces. I would hand them my razor (cartridge days) and just tell them to mulch it all level but it would have been a mess. They went electric then, but now in their 20s when the electrics have died, they have both gone manual. One is passing through the house mid-college and has started to covet my short comb New Type, and my AOS sandalwood cream is disappearing faster than I can account for so I can confidently state that one is on the way to DE addiction. He has not come to love the burn of VI Clubman Bay Rum. Sissy.

 

[RaiserLiebe]

I have daughters, so I won't have any male progeny to teach until they have sons (on the assumption that their dads, whoever they are, won't be DE or straight razor shavers. Maybe I should make that a requirement for any future sons-in-law!).

I have two daughters with burn and bumps in their armpits. One of them is still using a cart, but with TOBS rose. There's a Lady Gillette in her future! The younger tried her first DEshave (with a Merkur 23c) and loved it- think I have her on the bandwagon- she said it is the closest shave she has ever had! Prowling the bay for a 2nd Lady Gillette for her too.

Have taught my son and he is on board, but only shaves once a week. Likes the scruffy look!

Cheers


Taught my son and he has been receptive.

 

[buma]

I'd say the best way to teach a young'un to shave like dad (or mom, for that matter), is by watching and wanting to be just like you. As an example, I remember when I was young, I sat in the bathroom with my dad as he shaved with his trusty trac-II cart razor and wanted to be grown up and shave just like him. My dad then removed the cart and tossed a cart in the trash and I asked him why.

"Because it's dull, son" he said.

So with the rudimentary knowledge that I had of what dull and sharp was, I wanted to save it to practice with so I'd would know how to shave when I got older - I was about 4 at the time. So my dad had to try and explain the complexities of a 'dull' blade still being 'sharp' enough to cut you, but 'dull' enough not to shave with... Ahhh, memories.

Anyway, I'm contemplating the same thing for my nephew who is growing up in a house of women, and has no concept of facial shaving. I have a small travel razor that I was thinking of starting him with (without blade, of course) and lather his face with brush and soap so he can scrape it off just like uncle does. Then, follow it up with some Osage Rub for something he'll not soon forget

 

[airmech]

I originally taught both of my boys to shave with a cart and foaming goo as that is what I was using. When I started wet shaving my oldest had moved out, but my youngest was curious and he watched me a couple of times then asked if he could use a DE. I had him watch Mantic's videos and he was hooked. I started him with a '57 Super Speed and then got him a Slim.

Tom

 

[eth]

He always told me I got my mothers traits in regards to that. LMFAO.

Ah, that awkward moment when someone implies that "you have your mother's beard".

 

[Blackbeard's Delight]

I'm already working on teaching my boy the intricacies of finer shaving. He's learning how to mix your own cream/soap in a scuttle, using hot water instead of cold, applying the lather properly with a brush, being careful not to shave off too much at once, and how to splash on an aftershave. It's all in good fun, as he's learning lots when he sees Daddy shaving and wants to become more and more involved. Oh yeah, he's only 3.
Here's a few pics.View attachment 252568View attachment 252569

That's great! This makes me smile... I like the serious, intense concentration you can see on his face as he works on that beard reduction!

I almost started a thread like this on Father's Day last weekend... I had been searching Ebay for a travel shaving kit, and found this toy dopp kit with brush, razor, toothbrush and comb (link to Amazon image): http://www.amazon.com/Just-Shaving-Razor-Daddy-SHAVE/dp/B002ML043S/ref=pd_sxp_f_pt and of course had to get it (it was like $5).

It came the day before father's day. I also picked up a puck of Conk's Lime shave soap... a flavor any kid would like (smells exactly like lime jell-o!) and of course lathers up like a champ.

Father's day we shared a nice shave.... didn't get into the proper wet-shaving technique too much, just trying to get him interested in applying the lather & shaving it off. He insisted I wrap a towel around him the same way l was wearing it. He was very happy at the end, and demanded an Old Spice finish when we were done! I was very proud of him.

When he's older I will be sure I teach him about proper shaving. I don't think it was in the parenting lexicon to pass along the knowledge to when I got to be of age. It was the same story... "here are some razors and a can of shaving cream. Good luck in there son!" It would be nice for my son to get to my age and never know that shaving could be the painful, irritating nightmare that it was for me for so long!

 

[retturn2blades]

Well, until I returned to my roots and used traditional shaving gear once again, what was there to teach? Here son, press this can of goo and rub it on your face. Here son, take this Mac III and rake it across your face for one pass. Done!

My son is 24 and has been traditional shaving for a few months now. He just taught himself to use the Valet autostrop system for stropping NOS Valet blades. He got a great shave with it. Yesterday, he used a Whipped Dog straight razor for the first time with only one minor nick.

My son has always respected me and vice versus, so he tends to follow my model. He likes to own and shot firearms and he's good. I started him shooting when he was around 9 years old. My wife at that time challenged me on shooting and guns. I told her this was a father/son thing and to back off. She did and now my son can enjoy the shooting sports and defend himself.

Recently I gave him some traditional shave gear and he just jumped into it...and now we both enjoy the hobby and improved shaving experience. It's something we share and talk about and swap shaving war stories. For Father's Day he gave me a tub of Tabac soap (love it!) and a tub of Proraso soap...have yet to try it but I like Proraso products so I'm sure I'll like it.

For you younger dads with small sons, let them be near you in all the masculine things in life...like shooting and shaving. They'll follow in your footsteps and be better men for it.

Just a note...if you don't like guns, so be it. But a firearms trained young man will know what to do if one of his friends whips out his dad's 45 auto and starts waving it around. Guns and ignorance is a bad mix.

 

[The Count of Merkur Cristo]

Although my Father taught me, I taught my two Son's (who were fascinated...I wish I had pics), in the art of DE shaving (without much success [although they both love to face lather]...I guess life is just too fast for them [being cartridge men that they are..."No time Dad"]), but in all it was such fun and bonding to teach my boys.

"A good teacher is like a candle - it consumes itself to light the way for others". Author Unknown

 

[wurls]

For you younger dads with small sons, let them be near you in all the masculine things in life...like shooting and shaving. They'll follow in your footsteps and be better men for it

I couldn't agree more! I will teach my boy to be around firearms too and to be extremely safe with them. Possibly to be as good a shot as Daddy is too! LOL!