Vacation Shaving

The weekend after Labor Day, I will be taking a 4 or 5 day vacation. I will be sharing a 2 bedroom seaside apartment with 5, yes count them 5 ladies: My fiancee and her 2 daughters, 1 of whom has a daughter, and my future mother in law. Already having experience with that many women in one house, I know my bathroom time will be quite limited. I'm thinking that I will leave my straight at home, and just bring my cartridge razor, knowing full well that after I'm in there a few minutes, one, two, or all of them will start banging on the door! I am going to just bring my CO Bigelow tube shave cream, and forgo the uberlather for the interests of time and domestic tranquility. I hear the Bigelow is good by itself, my question is, do I need my brush to apply it, or can I rub it in with my fingers?

I have been traveling before, took a straight and Tabac soap, but forgot a brush. I used a washcloth to make lather, but with a cream you should be able to apply directly to the face and lather it with your hands. Sure, it probably wont be as nice as if you took a brush, but shaveable.

You normally use a brush.

Bob

Bigelow/Proraso is formulated for use with a brush. You probably could try some hand smearing, but without the aid of a brush for aeration it will likely look like a bunch of lumpy goop on your face.

With a cream it really doesn't take much time at all to lather up using a brush. But if you are REALLY averse to bringing a brush you're better off buying a travel sized can of shaving foam/gel.

(Wow, it took a lot for me to bring myself to type that last sentence..... lol)

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Originally Posted by Ryan82

Bigelow/Proraso is formulated for use with a brush. You probably could try some hand smearing, but without the aid of a brush for aeration it will likely look like a bunch of lumpy goop on your face.

With a cream it really doesn't take much time at all to lather up. But if you are REALLY averse to bringing a brush you're better off buying a travel sized can of shaving foam/gel.

(Wow, it took a lot for me to bring myself to type that last sentence..... lol)

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I'm not against bringing my brush at all, I was just wondering what way would be best for good results and expendiency. I don't want to bring my straight because I don't want someone to bang on the door while I'm holding it to my face or neck. (That would end the vacation rather quickly)

When on a rare vacation,I shave just like I do at home,when the ladys all go shopping or down to the beach,you have hours to do what you want to do.

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Originally Posted by pixelfixed

When on a rare vacation,I shave just like I do at home,when the ladys all go shopping or down to the beach,you have hours to do what you want to do.

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I didn't think of it that way, great idea! Give the missus a few bucks, send her to play skee ball, lather up and get to it!

I was going to congratulate you on sharing a room with 5 ladies, then I read who the five ladies are...:boohoo:

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Originally Posted by TaipeiJake

I was going to congratulate you on sharing a room with 5 ladies, then I read who the five ladies are...:boohoo:

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Yeah..... tell me about it!:banghead:

You could try Feather's Nanwa gel. It's a clear shave gel that you put on a wet face. I bought a travel size from Classic Shaving. It also works great when shaving around facial hair that you want to keep. I have two daughters and know about limited bathroom time. Lol. Good luck.

My wife and I took a short vacation earlier this month, and I decided to take my DE and my VDH soap and brush (a set from a drug store or walmart that also comes with a bowl). I took the VDH stuff because it face lathers pretty well and the brush is cheap so I didn't feel like I had to take a brush stand or otherwise worry about it getting messed up. I went with the DE mainly because it took up less space in the packing (not as much extra stuff), which is the primary concern when traveling with SWMBO. DE shaving does save a little time as well (stropping, etc), so it might be a good option for you too.

I used to think the same way as you are thinking right now, until I put my face through that torture you are speaking of. If you are a veteran straight shaver, you would regret your even talking about it...but don't take my word, just do it...but take your straight for the following day...I didn't. You will see what I mean...cartridge razors are meat grinders after you are used to the wonderful feel of a straight shave.

What I have learned to take when vacationing is two razors, a paddle strop (Rolling up your nice hanging strop put creases in mine), a touch-up stone, brush, and your soap as long as it's not in a glass container. I have learned to palm/face lather. Bigelow is actually my traveling shave cream, works quite well...yes, you need your brush. Use one of the ladies hair dryer to dry it. I roll up my brush in a dry washcloth after use and stow it back in the luggage with the rest of my shave gear for it's safety.

I generally bring either my shavette or a DE when I travel with me and a what I designate a travel brush.

Bring the str8. Lather up and go when everyone's out.

Last vacation, I did not have the luxury of 5 ladies, but did have very nice shaves in the shared camping bathroom. I brought one razor, my strop that I hung from a hook in our tent, my brush and a small stainless steel bowl and one soap in a closed container. Except for stropping in the tent, I changed nothing of my normal ritual and had very relaxing shaves while people came and went.

I find that I do not startle easily when someone bangs on the door or something, so I'm fully confident of shaving with other people around. Disappointingly, no-one paid any interest in the classiness of the straight razor.

After reading all these posts, I have decided to bring my straight along with me. I'm still very new to straightshaving, but I find I like it more and more each time. If I'm to contunue straightshaving, I owe it to myself to learn how in varying locations and conditions.

One thing I might do is to let everybody know that you are using a straight, show it to them & maybe demonstrate on a bit of arm hair. Then explain that you're going to put a sock on the knob when you go to shave and that knocks on the door could end in a sliced up face with blood everywhere and possibly an ambulance ride and stitches. Not that it is that dangerous, but they don't have to know that.

Then, take your everloving time while they contemplate if they should knock or not once they see the sock... :D

Opt to shave outside!!

If you've never done it, you'll be in for a wonderful treat! Especially so if the weather is cool and you opt for a menthol lather... And while you're at it, try a cold water shave!!

I do it at least once a week in the warmer weather!

http://www.emotion-images.com/img/s8...28885216-4.jpg

http://www.emotion-images.com/img/s9...20001744-4.jpg

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Originally Posted by MikekiM

Opt to shave outside!!

If you've never done it, you'll be in for a wonderful treat! Especially so if the weather is cool and you opt for a menthol lather... And while you're at it, try a cold water shave!!

I do it at least once a week in the warmer weather!

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That's actually a very nice idea. I'll keep that in mind for when I move to a house that gives me that possibility.

Well- I'm back from vacation, just got back this morning. I wasn't even able to shave the entire time! The bathroom sink was sandwiched between two walls- I couldnt even fit my shoulders in between them!

I had 5 days worth of growth on my face and my razor took care of it without any issues at all! I was afraid that I would've forgot everything that I have been learning, but it all came back to me. It was my best straight shave to date!