We had a neighbor down the street named Mr Whirley who gave me my first instructions when I was around 8. This was back in the early 70's and times were different- as a kid you would grab your BB gun and bike and be gone for the entire day. I saw Mr Whirley, who was about 90 at the time, sitting on his front porch stropping a straight. I stopped and asked him how he shaves with a straight since my dad used an electric. All he told me was twice with the grain and once against. He then proceeded to tell me more than I should have been told at that age about dating a red headed woman- but all his advice on this subject turned out to be spot on!
Self taught.
+1! Wish I had someone to teach me, that may have saved a lot of trial and error.
I'm glad I didn't, as I might be stuck in someone else's ways, instead of my own
Nick Shaves