Thread: functional shaving

To really answer all your questions would be a long winded response. Basically a mid sized simple stainless razor like a dovo. For a strop I'd get a small paddle for travel. For a brush probably a small basic badger or boar depending on what you prefer. If you make your own strop you need to be careful with leather quality and finishing.A piece of leather with a hole won't cut it.

As everyone said already, stainless razor, maybe a ruprazor fili strop (20$, can't go wrong, and it can be rolled up) a small puck of proraso and an omega boar brush. All of this should be under 150$ if you shop around. What i'd also consider is a watertight container with a reusable silica dessiccant packet in it. The type you can oven bake and re-use. This should keep your gear dry, and for refreshin the edge on the razor you can always paste the backside of your fili strop with some CrOx... leave the hones at home

Originally Posted by nicolaasdekker

, I will get good quality second hand rather that low quality new. Is brush quality really that important?

For basic shaving if I were backpacking, I wouldn't bother to carry a brush, just a tube of decent shaving cream and hand-lather it.
You certainly don't see many secondhand brushes, of any quality, for sale.

Much as I love collecting and using cutthroats, for pure function and minimum bulk I'd go for an aluminium Gillette Ball End Tech DE and some blades.
That also just about describes the kit that goes in the tank bag on my motorcycle.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

A piece of leather with a hole won't cut it.

There are commercial strops for sale that are simple strips of leather with a hole and leather thong on one side. I am still keen to hear why it would not be suitable.

Originally Posted by volleykinginnc

Not sure if weight reduction is important for your outdoor activities but you can always use your belt or jeans to strop on. And the brush makes not difference...get something cheap...it will lather just fine.

tried the belt option but leather belts take the shape of the user so are not straight after a bit of wear. does denim replace the linen side of strop or is it a replacement for the leather side?

Originally Posted by nicolaasdekker

There are commercial strops for sale that are simple strips of leather with a hole and leather thong on one side. I am still keen to hear why it would not be suitable.


does denim replace the linen side of strop or is it a replacement for the leather side?

It depends of the quality of the leather. It's much the same as any other product made of leather insamuch as the piece of hide needs to be appropriate to the task. Some strops are poor quality or from the wrong part of the animal. As with everything else, price and quality are usually commensurate with each other. Most quality strop makers select their hide carefully and some offer starter strops with less elaborate fittings
The denim would replace the linen. As the lady of the house will tell you, linen also comes in many different qualities.

Originally Posted by welshwizard

the piece of hide needs to be appropriate to the task. Some strops are poor quality or from the wrong part of the animal.

And which parts would that be?
which parts should I avoid?
what should I tell the leather specialist I need when I go buy leather from my local leather shop?