When did you start shaving as a kid and why?
- Thread starter Ashe
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i started shaving with se disposable plastic bics when i was 13. however, my grandfather allowed me to "shave" with him using a novelty razor, in a cream colored plastic, of a woman in the nude, since i was a very very small boy. the razor of course had the blades removed but i still got to use the cream and stand on the stool next to him.
When I was about 13, I had the wispy black peach fuzz mustache and sideburns like many olive skinned Mediterranean boys get around that age. It drove my mother nuts - she thought it looked like dirt and insisted that I shave it. The thought of "having to shave" was appealing, but driving my mother nuts was more appealing. My brother didn't want me using his shaving stuff and my father thought I should have my own. So one Saturday my mother came home from grocery shopping with a 1969 Gillette Tech with the long black handle and a can of orange scented shaving cream. I thought the razor was cool, but the canned orange stuff was rancid (I think mom wanted me to get beat up at school) I only had to use it about once a week anyway. I thought the dial on the razor was just a gimmick. It wasn't until I started lurking here 40 years later that I learned to loosen the silo doors before setting the dial. 
Hm, you know I don't really remember. I'm a hairy guy and I know it was a good deal before all my friends.
Probably around late 13 or early 14. I do remember going to visit my Dad and him trying to teach me to shave and me telling him I'd been shaving for a year already. I learned on my own pretty much.
I started straight off with a Mach3 and gel. Then, later in life when I was like 17 and was working most evenings and Sunday, I wanted an electric shaver to speed up my shave. Found it it barely works for my tough beard and went back to Mach3.
Joined the Army and used the Bic they gave me until I had a chance to get a Fusion. The funny thing is, once I got that, I only really shaved with the "precision blade" for your mustache. I used it on my whole face as the multi blades were giving me crazy razor burn.
Now at 20 I've discovered the joy of wet shaving and I never look back.
Probably around late 13 or early 14. I do remember going to visit my Dad and him trying to teach me to shave and me telling him I'd been shaving for a year already. I learned on my own pretty much.
I started straight off with a Mach3 and gel. Then, later in life when I was like 17 and was working most evenings and Sunday, I wanted an electric shaver to speed up my shave. Found it it barely works for my tough beard and went back to Mach3.
Joined the Army and used the Bic they gave me until I had a chance to get a Fusion. The funny thing is, once I got that, I only really shaved with the "precision blade" for your mustache. I used it on my whole face as the multi blades were giving me crazy razor burn.
Now at 20 I've discovered the joy of wet shaving and I never look back.
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I started shaving probably at the age of 14 with a Remington MicroScreen ("Shaves as close as a blade,or your money back," my foot!) that my parents gave me. I don't remember being particularly beardful at the time; I think they were trying to prod me toward some manly rite of passage. Odd; in some cultures you go walkabout, hunt an animal with a spear, or study religious lore to become a man.
I distinctly remember getting more and more annoyed at the Remington, and sometime between age 17 and 18, I switched to some sort of bladed razor with Edge gel and Edge aftershave. I remember butchering my face a lot, and discovering the pain of alcohol-based aftershave. Edge's Aloe products were acceptable, for canned goo. I think it was sometime in college that I switched to a Sensor XL, and from there some years later to the Mach III.
I got started DE shaving about 6 weeks ago or so, and don't plan on looking back.
I distinctly remember getting more and more annoyed at the Remington, and sometime between age 17 and 18, I switched to some sort of bladed razor with Edge gel and Edge aftershave. I remember butchering my face a lot, and discovering the pain of alcohol-based aftershave. Edge's Aloe products were acceptable, for canned goo. I think it was sometime in college that I switched to a Sensor XL, and from there some years later to the Mach III.
I got started DE shaving about 6 weeks ago or so, and don't plan on looking back.
Started shaving the weekend after dove season opened in 1964. I was fortunate to have grown up in a close extended family in Louisiana. Opening day of Dove season each year was a opportunity for all the menfolk to come together at my Uncle Freddie's for a day of bird hunting.
After much discussion that morning (all at my expense I mine add), all the older cousins, uncle's, great uncles, and grandfathers told me I need to do something about that upper lip and sideburns. I was 13 and the next weekend my Dad took me into the bathroom and taught me how to shave. He presented me with one of his old Tech's, showed me how to load a blade, and let me use his brush, Old Spice mug and soap. Dad pretty much supported my shaving habit for about seven months as I slowly begin to put my own kit together.
You know I really appreciate these kind of questions as I am reaching an age where it takes a little effort to pull up some of those memory. Don't have the brush or razor but still have Dad's Old Spice mug.
After much discussion that morning (all at my expense I mine add), all the older cousins, uncle's, great uncles, and grandfathers told me I need to do something about that upper lip and sideburns. I was 13 and the next weekend my Dad took me into the bathroom and taught me how to shave. He presented me with one of his old Tech's, showed me how to load a blade, and let me use his brush, Old Spice mug and soap. Dad pretty much supported my shaving habit for about seven months as I slowly begin to put my own kit together.
You know I really appreciate these kind of questions as I am reaching an age where it takes a little effort to pull up some of those memory. Don't have the brush or razor but still have Dad's Old Spice mug.
I was around 13. I guess I had that little wisp thing going, and I wanted to shave really badly, so I asked if I could start, and ended up with a M3 and some canned foam. I don't remember any horrified reactions, though it may have been a month or so before I actually was given a razor. My dad was of little help when the time came, as he was an electric man.
I don't remember if the M3 came first, or if the first thing that happened was I got a Sensor Excel in my xmas stocking... I do remember getting a Sensor Excel around that timeframe and promptly putting it to the side for the next 5 years because it couldn't possibly be as good/cool as the M3. Fortunately I got other xmas gifts which saw more enjoyment
.
The funny thing is, when I finally did try the Sensor, to me it sucked. I think that may have had to do with the fact that the M3 let you develop all sorts of bad habits. I wish I hadn't thrown it out now, as I might have given it a try just for fun.
The shame comes with my 16th birthday. I figured that shaving was one of the rites of passage as a man, and obviously the more elaborate the shaving kit, the more manly the guy using it was. At the time, the most elaborate shaving device I knew of was an electric razor. Factor in electric razor usage on both sides of the family, and I really wanted an electric for my birth day. Sadly, I got it. A nice Norelco number; I think I used it off and on for a year, and then ended up switching back to the M3 due to ingrowns and irritation, plus I enjoyed the superior results I got with the M3. I kept going back to the Norelco and trying to shave with it periodically, and always having terrible results.
For fun, I wanted to try the Norelco again when I started with a DE 6ish months ago, but the battery in it was long since dead. I tossed it, with no intention of replacing it.
Of course as I mentioned I started with a DE 6 months ago. 5 months ago I started with a straight, and I'm glad I only owned one DE, or I would have a ton of DE's sitting and not being used.
I don't remember if the M3 came first, or if the first thing that happened was I got a Sensor Excel in my xmas stocking... I do remember getting a Sensor Excel around that timeframe and promptly putting it to the side for the next 5 years because it couldn't possibly be as good/cool as the M3. Fortunately I got other xmas gifts which saw more enjoyment
.The funny thing is, when I finally did try the Sensor, to me it sucked. I think that may have had to do with the fact that the M3 let you develop all sorts of bad habits. I wish I hadn't thrown it out now, as I might have given it a try just for fun.
The shame comes with my 16th birthday. I figured that shaving was one of the rites of passage as a man, and obviously the more elaborate the shaving kit, the more manly the guy using it was. At the time, the most elaborate shaving device I knew of was an electric razor. Factor in electric razor usage on both sides of the family, and I really wanted an electric for my birth day. Sadly, I got it. A nice Norelco number; I think I used it off and on for a year, and then ended up switching back to the M3 due to ingrowns and irritation, plus I enjoyed the superior results I got with the M3. I kept going back to the Norelco and trying to shave with it periodically, and always having terrible results.
For fun, I wanted to try the Norelco again when I started with a DE 6ish months ago, but the battery in it was long since dead. I tossed it, with no intention of replacing it.
Of course as I mentioned I started with a DE 6 months ago. 5 months ago I started with a straight, and I'm glad I only owned one DE, or I would have a ton of DE's sitting and not being used
.
I started sporadically at fourteen years old, when I looked in the car's rear-view mirror and noticed a frightful fluffy moustache.
So, the following afternoon, I fished out an ancient Braun Electric that belonged to my Grandfather and set to work. Man, that thing burned the hairs off more than it did shear them.
I remember an awful red rash in the place of my awful fluffy growth.
Still, I looked far less feral, so I took to using it whenever I noticed some horrid growth. Eventually, after noticing my electric ravaged face, my mother threw in a sensor excel (the same razor my dad uses to this day) in the grocery trolley one day for me.
I got sucked into the 'Gillette Razor Upgrade' cycle. I was shaving in the shower using water as my shave cream until recently, when my beard got too thick for such practices.
So, the following afternoon, I fished out an ancient Braun Electric that belonged to my Grandfather and set to work. Man, that thing burned the hairs off more than it did shear them.
I remember an awful red rash in the place of my awful fluffy growth.
Still, I looked far less feral, so I took to using it whenever I noticed some horrid growth. Eventually, after noticing my electric ravaged face, my mother threw in a sensor excel (the same razor my dad uses to this day) in the grocery trolley one day for me.
I got sucked into the 'Gillette Razor Upgrade' cycle. I was shaving in the shower using water as my shave cream until recently, when my beard got too thick for such practices.
A few decades ago (16ish) my father tried to teach me how to shave with DE razors. As a teenager interesting in computer science, and fast cars, Dad's razors seemed low tech, ultra old school, and way too s l o w. I remember the advice..."slow down and enjoy the little pleasures". There was much bloodshed and toilet paper bandages.
I ended up on the cartridge system du jour and electrics for years. I hated shaving but had to be presentable for work. Which choice was "less presentable" whiskers, or red irritated skin and ingrown hairs.
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I ended up on the cartridge system du jour and electrics for years. I hated shaving but had to be presentable for work. Which choice was "less presentable" whiskers, or red irritated skin and ingrown hairs.
.40
I got a Norelco for my 14th birthday. I was not really anxious to shave, but had a noticeable mustache. I do not remember the frequency, but it was not too open. I eventually switched to Gillette Atra when I was about 25. I switched to shaving with a brush and a DE in April and absolutely love it.
I still have two metal handles for the Atra and a few blades -- do you think anyone would want them for the price of shipping?
I still have two metal handles for the Atra and a few blades -- do you think anyone would want them for the price of shipping?
13 for me. I had amassed quite an amount of peach fuzz along my jaw line and sideburn area. One day my stepdad said, "Get in the bathroom, time to learn to shave." I don't remember what I used, but I can still remember his voice and the way he was examining my face when he gave the order. Had a full beard by age 15 and a half. Woot!
Full beard by 16. Admittedly it was the "Brigham Young just under the chin--Yea verily, Caleb" look but it was thick.
As a Junior in HS I was 6'0" and 205 and a pitcher. Imaginative use of hair and facial hair added to the general intimidation factor on the mound, so I started experimenting with hardware and looks pretty young.
Looking back, the massive muttonchops were probably less threatening than originally thought.
The Klingon mustache ruled though.
As a Junior in HS I was 6'0" and 205 and a pitcher. Imaginative use of hair and facial hair added to the general intimidation factor on the mound, so I started experimenting with hardware and looks pretty young.
Looking back, the massive muttonchops were probably less threatening than originally thought.
The Klingon mustache ruled though.
I was about 16 years old the first time I shaved. I had a small patch of black whiskers that would grow on one side of my chin that my girlfriend enjoyed pulling out. I'm talking for or five hairs that would grow about a quarter of an inch long. One day there were too many for her to mess with and I started shaving. I used one of my Dad's Bic razors and Barbasol shave cream in a can. All I can say is that it hurt. From that day on I started looking for ways to get the best shave I could which 10 years later led me to the Double Edge razor.. Oddly enough, I never tried an electric.
I was 14. My beard felt like a peach. When I told my dad that I want to shave, my mom laughed and my dad said to wait as long as I can as it's one of the worst experience ever.
I got that electric razor, tried it and it burned like hell. Also, I kept having my neck pinched in it. When he saw there was no hope with an electric (has he uses one and probably wetshave with a Excel every month), he got me the whole kit after a month.
He started by showing me how to make lather with canned goo, easy. How to shave, always down, 1 pass. Never, ever, ever ever, did I say ever?, ever rinse. Apply aftershave balm and walk away. That's it, done.
So, to answer the question, I wanted it as I thought I was getting there and needed a clean shaven face!
My dad was right, shaving is horrible... Until November 2008...
I got that electric razor, tried it and it burned like hell. Also, I kept having my neck pinched in it. When he saw there was no hope with an electric (has he uses one and probably wetshave with a Excel every month), he got me the whole kit after a month.
He started by showing me how to make lather with canned goo, easy. How to shave, always down, 1 pass. Never, ever, ever ever, did I say ever?, ever rinse. Apply aftershave balm and walk away. That's it, done.
So, to answer the question, I wanted it as I thought I was getting there and needed a clean shaven face!
My dad was right, shaving is horrible... Until November 2008...
I had to start shaving at 11. It was originally to look nice for pictures because my mom didn't want me looking scruffy. At this point the whiskers were dark but soft, however, I had a full beard by 14 have been obsessed with controlling hair growth ever since. Thank God I stumbled upon B&B and wet shaving because it wasn't always pretty before that. My dad never passed down any of the knowledge I have gained here.
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First time i shaved i was 12 years old, i had a little mustache starting
to grow,,so i shaved it, and here am i now,
5 o'clock shadow at 11 am
, i had a little mustache startingto grow,,so i shaved it, and here am i now,
5 o'clock shadow at 11 am
I guess i started around 14-15, knocking down the wild porcupine of a mole on my chin. Mostly used the cheapo disposables my parents used (don't knock the ladies' pink disposables till you try them!!! ) Got started on the wetshaving thing earlier this year, first with a cheapo straight ebay find, then moved onto my grandpa's DE.
) Got started on the wetshaving thing earlier this year, first with a cheapo straight ebay find, then moved onto my grandpa's DE.
last year when i was 15, with an electric. why? because i had facial hair. i had been wanting to shave for a few years but my parents wouldnt let me, insisting that if i shaved it would grow back faster...i thought it was a dumb argument too. but a few weeks ago i discovered this...wow
I started in eighth grade at age 13. My older brother made me because I had this little dirt-like moustache going that I thought looked great. He convinced me otherwise. I think it was some disposable with Edge gel. No aftershave or anything to follow. The beard started coming in thickly shortly thereafter.
Unfortunately, it took me about 30 years to discover wetshaving.
Unfortunately, it took me about 30 years to discover wetshaving.
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