Hi Guys, My nephew is about to turn 16, and I thought some sort of shaving equipment might be a good birthday present to help initiate him into manhood. I have a beard, and it isn't very thick either, so I generally only shave my neck maybe once or twice a week. I thought of a brush/mug set but have no idea whether today's teenager would consider something like that incredibly cool, or incredibly lame. I'm not even sure if 16 is old enough to start shaving yet (no kids of my own). So I'm turning to the Hive Mind otherwise known as the Internet for advice and recommendations.
I started shaving daily when I turned 12 and that was almost 4 decades ago. Yes, you can start shaving at 16, it just depends on the individual growth patterns of the person. Here is a good starter kit that does not cost a lot. I also recommend this razor for beginners who have not developed their technique (which is the most important part of Traditional shaving). http://www.italianbarber.com/cella-shaving-kit-with-wilkinson-de-razor 1 x Cella Shave Cream, 150ml, 1 x Wilkinson Double-edge Safety Razor (includes Razor and 5 Wilkinson double edge blade), 1 x RazoRock 60g Alum Stick, 1 x Omega 80257 - Badger Imitation - 100% Boar Bristle Brush(Yellow, Orange, Green) Price $24.99 I would get a good pack of sampler blades as well. Oh and one last thing. Welcome to the Den. We know you'll fit right in. So grab yourself a comfy chair, and give our threads a spin! Burma Shave
My kids are young teens (girl and a boy) and they both shave and with old school traditional stuff too. As far as being cool goes, this is far cooler, but unlike us, I doubt that teens are talking about what they shave with on a regular basis. Kinda like discussing what deodorant or soap they use. But when it does come up one day, and his buds find out he uses the old school stuff, instant man cred will ensue. Nothing says manly like shiny unguarded metal and old "bare knuckle boxing" style brush and soap. Just my $.02. Welcome! Let us know the outcome either way. Don't hesitate to pick yourself up some too, it'll improve your life a smidge
The Italian Barber set is probably the best option for someone that young and just starting out with shaving. Welcome to TSD
I heard from his mom (my sister) and he hasn't yet started to shave, which I sort of suspected. I'm thinking that it might then be better to wait for his 18th BD, or until he goes off to college and get him a whole dopkit.
Hi! Welcome to the Den. Be sure to sign up for the December Newbie Give-Away! Before dropping the money on something he may not use, talk to him and try to get an idea of how he may feel about it. I know my son has no interest in it; "takes too much time."
He's gonna be a man's man with wet shaving ,unless he is anything like me in those years. I used to shave only when i had to and to keep my beard in order, back then facial hair was masculinity for me Oh and, Welcome to The Den
Welcome man, nice to have you here. I would suggest a Super Speed. They can be found on eBay for cheap and they are very simple to use. Then go to Wal Mart and get him a Van Der Hagen brush/soap/ bowl set. You can get him a sampler pack too and total price would be around $50 or less.
to TSD Christopher........ I.M.O. get it for him..If he decides later not to use it thats his choice, but at least he'll have a decent kit should the time ever come that he wants a decent shave.. But I'd definately (if its ok with his parents) get it for him "NOW" and heres why. Heres what has just happened to me.. My son just made 14 and theres been talk about him starting to shave, it's still a little early but its coming. So here's what my mother-in-law decides to buy him for his birthday without asking!! A "&^**%$$%##**^%" Electric razor!!!!! I guess you know how I feel !!!! Anyone else think mother-in-law overstepped here or is it just me??? So I told him if he wants to use that P.O.S. go ahead it's up to him. If he ever decides he wants a decent shave come and see me....So talk to his parents first, then if its ok with them, give him a GOOD "Wet Shaving Kit" first before someone gets him started down the path to the "DARKSIDE"!!!!!! Just the way I feel!!!!
I don't know how she is, but maybe she didn't mean any harm. Let him use it and see how crappy they are and then show him wet shaving. Sometimes us young folk have to make simple mistakes to learn. Now I'm not saying let him drive drunk or something extreme like that, shaving is an easy thing to fix. All in good time.
I won't force him in any direction, I'm just hoping good sense and time, will let him see the "LIGHT"!
I guess I know how you feel. Of course in my situation, the "MIL" of his father would be my mother, since he's my sister's kid. I have no idea what his dad uses for shaving, but I don't see him as an electric razor type of guy. He probably uses one of those multi-blade contraptions (which I will admit I do too.) I think I got an electric for my birthday around the time I was 18, but it got stolen in college and I switched to wet shaving after that, which didn't irritate my face. I have no idea how the genetics of facial hair works. His dad is a pretty hairy guy, but my side of the family is less so.
A vintage Gillette Tech is a good place to start for a new shaver, IMHO. It's an inexpensive razor and a mild, non-irritating shaver. Blades will take a bit of experimentation, but Astra SP is a good place to start. Maybe a brushless cream/lotion like RazoRock will help with any time concerns, tho you do miss out on all that fun lather.
One thing that has not been mentioned that I feel is worth pointing out. As a youngster I experimented with the brush and mug. I think most guys that are interested in old stuff try it at least once. If you don't know what you are doing the results will be dismal. You can get him a kit with the best intentions in the world, but if you don't show him how to use it, you might kill any desire to wet shave before it ever begins. Show him your kit, show him how to use it and only then get him a kit of his own. Just my 2 cents...
Maybe the best advice yet. Show him it will probably get him interested. Who could resist a heavy shiny DE razor and the sharpest little square of facial hair death
As far as a razor goes how about a Gillette Adjustable Slim or Fatboy? They are built sturdy to last, especially the Fatboy, adjust to changing beard type over the years and blades are still plentiful and inexpensive. I just gave my son a Slim as he said the price of cartridges were getting too high. I shave with str8s but have three Fatboys put up; one each for my grandsons and one for me when I get older (63 now) and get the shakes; don't want a str8 near my face or neck when that happens, it could hurt.........
As far as his age goes, I wouldn't worry about it. I recently gave my friend's 15-year-old son a brush that I had built. I doubt he needed it yet, but he was excited to receive it. It was a special gift for him and I was treating him like a young man, not a child.
Well, that's a problem, as I wouldn't even know what I was doing. As I mentioned, I have a full beard, and I just shave my neck (only) once or twice a week. My "kit" consists of one of those multi-blade (I think they are up to 5 or 6 now) contraptions and a can of Barbasol. I try to remember to change the blade every year whether it needs it or not.
I guess an alternative would be showing him videos, or taking him to a barber shop to get a traditional shave (In the case that he does have some facial hair). Heck you could even get one too, you never know you might enjoy it. I was a beard man myself, mostly because I did not enjoy shaving. Wet shaving changed me to a clean shaven dude, now I cant imagine going back. And I get excited to shave everyday.
