Shaving is the skill that every father is supposed to pass on to his son. But what if he is not doing it properly in the first place? Geo F. Trumper, the Mayfair barber, has been gently been putting gentlemen right on tonsorial matters since 1875. Now, for the modern man unsure of his morning trim, it is offering Shaving School lessons.

Sadiq, nimble-fingered and full of enthusiasm, sits me down in a private booth. He examines my facial stubble, judges it to be of medium density, and pulls out a Gillette Mach 3. What about four- or five-bladed razors, I ask? Surely they do the job better? Not necessarily – it’s what you do with the blades that counts. Quality, not quantity.

The pre-shave ritual lasts an age. A hot towel, followed by application of sandalwood “skin food”, followed by a lavish lathering of cream in circular movements with a badger brush. Sadiq shows me how to stretch the skin, explains the direction of my growth (the razor should go with it, and then against to tidy up), and shaves one side of my face. The other side is left to me.

It feels weird, having to follow his orders for a process I have been performing perfectly competently (or so I think) for more than 30 years. But his advice is well taken. The blades glide easily and effectively.

We finish with a cold water towel, to close the pores, more skin food, and a rich moisturiser. A little excessive, surely? “You are taking off two to three layers of skin every time you shave,” Sadiq admonishes. He makes it sound brutal.

My skin feels cool and refreshed. I feel the urge to purchase a top of the range brush from the store. It costs £247. It is the ultimate compliment to Sadiq that I briefly consider buying it.

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The details

Mach 3 Shaving School, £50; Open Razor Shaving School, £75. 020 7499 1850, www.trumpers.com