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Either will work just fine, as they are all of very good quality.
I know it has become a cliche, but thank you for your service. If you have any questions that you don't feel like posting to the forum, though that is the best way to get the best answers, you are more than welcome to send a PM to me and I will help you as best I can.
Ooorah! I think thats a good match. Check out Rup Razors for a good strop at a good price. I'd try Proraso / CO Bigelow (the same thing but CO is sold through Bath and Body works). It's a great quality cream that isn't too picky about what water you use. My biggest advice is to learn to strop, don't go cheap on the brush, and spend lots of time looking around here (the wiki is your best friend as a new guy).
This is a good starting point but I would also add a hard, high grit hone. Reason being: you're not going to want to send your razor in and out of a war zone just to be honed, meanwhile you're forced to shave with a crappy disposable which makes you more disgruntled and takes away from your honing/stropping practice time. With a stone like that you can refresh your edge and it requires minimal lapping so you can also practice honing. A barbers hone might fill this need.
I don't know if this is your first deployment, but it's not impossible to order things online and get them mailed out to your post no matter where you are. The only reason I tell you this is so you practice the skills necessary for wet shaving without being too timid in an attempt to save your minimal equipment on hand. Plus I'm sure many members on the forum wouldn't mind mailing some things to your APO if the need arises.
Good Luck and Godspeed
I may also suggest picking up a DE so that you can still get a decent shave if you dont have the time for the full straight shave. It takes me at least 30 min to do a straight shave and I can do a pretty good DE in under 10. Also keep the blade dry, strop after you shave and before you put it away to both help keep the blade sharp and to dry the blade even more.
As Ron says either kit will work great. Theres not much difference between stainless and carbon steel IMO, they'll both rust if you dont look after them.
As long as you dry the blade off before you stow it either will be just fine. A good strop is key as it will keep your edge in tip top condition, and a good brush and soap or cream will provide all the glide and cushion for a comfortable shave.
A kit from SRD will serve you well as their stuff is top notch and all the blades come shave ready. I have a Boker Edelweisse from SRD and you could cleave atoms with the thing when I got it..! :)
Good luck with the shaves, thank you for your service and stay safe out there!
Hello Thumperx72, welcome to the great world of straight shaving! I recommend (like the FAQ page does) that you start off with a 6/8 razor. That is because it'll be easier for you to strop it and its size is slightly heavier, which takes away thinking too much about the pressure you have to (or don't have to) apply to your face while shaving.
Don't get me wrong, a 5/8 is a great size also. But being that I have both a 6/8 and a 5/8, I believe it was great advice that I got when I first started when I was told to get a 6/8 first.
I'm not too familiar with stainless, so other members feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but carbon steel is a better way to go for noobs because maintaining the edge is easier. As a matter of fact, many experienced shavers still prefer carbon steel over pure.
Though we don't personally know you, I think I can speak for all of us that we're very proud of you and are very thankful to have brave men like you in our country.
Anything else you want to know, just ask away!
It's freakin' Afghanistan. I think the blade will dry!Quote:
Originally Posted by Stubear
(Just kidding, you still need to be diligent about drying off your razor.)
Hello, thumprex72:
Either set would be ideal. That Boker is a sweet razor, honed by the noble Lynn Abrams, and the rest of the equipment is also topnotch, especially the strop. As one who has been in a war — mine was Vietnam — I suggest that, under the circumstances, you should go with the stainless steel version of the Boker. Not that stainless steel will not rust if neglected, even in a dry place such as Afghanistan, but it might need a breath less care than the high carbon steel.
Also, for back up, I, too, suggest having a double edge safety razor and some good blades in your pack. Straight razor shaving does require some time — and sometimes soldiers don't have the luxury of excess time for their shave. On the days you cannot be generous with your time, the double edge will be a savior. Of course, you also can get a great shave with the double edge.
In the meantime, please stay safe.
Regards,
Obie
Thanks for your service, Thumprex72.
B Co 299th Engineer Battalion, Ft Sill, OK
1 WOC, Ft Rucker AL
Either one of those set ups is great. And like others have said, grab a DE (or maybe even a shavette) for when you're in a hurry. I know someone else mentioned a finishing hone but if you poke around a bit on the classifieds or elsewhere you should be able to nab a Barber's Hone for $10-$30. When the razor starts to tug and pull just spread some lather on it the Bhone and give the razor 3-5 laps and you'll be good to go for the length of your deployment. Not to mention the Bhone doesn't take up much space.
Nor do they require lapping. For that reason, barber hones are very handy for travel or deployment.Quote:
Originally Posted by bharner
Everyone seemed to answer your main ?, I just wanted to thank you for what your doing and God Bless You
Take into consideration if you are on a FOB or over the wire as REMF's have hot water and showers, combat ops don't. I went very long periods of time without. During ODS as a Combat Medic I was taking showers with a 5 Gal can heated in the sun.:rofl2:
Be safe Brother and maybe I'll see ya in 6-8 months. :gwh:
Capt Paul
94th CSH
Hooah
I'm unqualified to answer your question! However as a Veteran I would humbly thank you for your service! My 18 year old son has his sights set on becoming a Marine. He is still a Junior in High School with a B average.
OH! Yes he shaves with a straight razor!!
I wish you well and a safe return! I salute you!
Two things...
1. Thank You for your Service
2. Lynn and Don who own SRD are two of the nicest guys you will ever get the pleasure of knowing, send them an e-mail or a PM on here tell them what you have planned, and I would bet my last dollar they will make sure you have the best set up to take with you inside of your budget.... :)
Thank you for your service!
not too much to add except thanks for your service and come back safely. We will need soldiers among our ranks when we storm the schick and gilette HQ's:nj
Thumperx72,
Thank you for your courage and your service. May God be with you and bring you safely home.
And also sincere thank you. Make it home.Quote:
Originally Posted by TwistedOak
If you are gonna be a fobbit, take the Boker. If you are going to be in a COB and go out every day then go on whipped dog.com and buy a cheaper sound blade that you can stand to lose or break. I used a old Red Imp as my bush razor. I actualy liked the str8ts in the field because the crud from patroling didn't get clogged like a regular razor. THe sweat will act as a lubricant when shaving. Now if you have never honed before then bring some disposables just in case you find out you can't hone. You will quickly become an unwelcome guest if you ask to borrow razors.... Also it takes time to shave with a str8t if you never used one. If you on a COB you may be shaving in the dark...Not so much fun with a str8t. Just things to consider. Saying that.....If you are a fobbit, then shaving will be th most fun you will have all day. Good luck.
+1 AgreedQuote:
Originally Posted by Wintchase
We are all a bunch of razor nuts! To have one of our own defending us is an honor. I am sure you can count on PMing any of us to assist you in your shaving during your service,as well as with your brothers at arms. As has been said, Thanks For Your Service!
Hi, I spent 10 years in the Australian army from '85 to '95, never 'at war' though. STRANGELY, I was actually thinking of this sort of thing the other night; that a SR would be good 'out bush' as we used to call exercises. I go for a non stainless, I'd think of maintaining the razor the same as maintaining a weapon, in regard to keeping the rust off. I guess, if it comes down to that (and God preserve you if it does) it'd be a good weapon, too. I actually didn't read the other replies (sorry) I just dived in there and replied as I found it interesting I was thinking about the idea of deploying with a straight. Keep your head down, and God bless you...
Save your $$ on the razor & PM me your address. I'll send you one so you can focus on a good hone, strop, and brush. You can pay me for it when you are back to CONUS safe & sound. The cost will be your service...paid in full & I thank you for that.
I challenge the rest of the guys to help you out on the rest of the items you need.
Quote:
Originally Posted by shooter74743
I will chip in a Semogue 610 brush. Just PM me your address.
I'll chip in some CO Biglow cream. Its nothing fancy but it'll give you a good shave and theres so real scent. PM me the address.Quote:
Originally Posted by MarineDad
We just need a strop, I have a franz swaty that I will kick in as well.
I'm in for the strop!Quote:
Originally Posted by shooter74743
Send me a PM and let me know your address!
Thanks again for your service!
One thing to watch out for is developing a serious case of RAD on deployment. Whether you are on a bigger FOB or a tiny FB, you will have access to the internet, even in if in a limited fashion. Couple that with boredom and tax-free pay and you will come home with a few dozen razors. I can't begin to tell you the stupid stuff I bought in AF and I wasn't even a fobbit.
The other consideration is the "moon dust", which is the ultra-fine powdered sand that is everywhere in afghanistan-- particularly in the south. It seeps into everything you own and clings like a thin film. After one of the massive sandstorms, everything you own will be covered and there is nothing you can do. It will even get into closed rucks. Bring MULTIPLE ziplock baggies and double bag your shaving gear (this is also good advice for any electronic gear you care about).
I love it when a plan comes together...just waiting on a reply, supplemental information, and address so the goodies can be sent off.
Thank you Marinedad, Devilpup, & Cudarunner.
I definitely have to second Obie's suggestion of having a DE in your kit. SR's require a little bit more time and care to use. The shave itself takes a bit longer, and then you need to add in stropping time. I'm assuming your deployment is for a year. If that's the case, you'll need a hone to keep the edge on your straight. If you're not familiar w/ honing a straight, this will cause problems and possibly render the SR unuseable. Honing one of these bad boys is not at all like honing a knife.
You may also want to consider adding a bottle of after shave balm to your kit. THis will help keep your face in good shape in that dry environment. Nivea is a good one. Not at all greasy, and very lightly scented.
As a side note, I was over there in 2003, as part of the US Coast Guard detachment assigned to Naval Coastal Warfare Group One (me on the right)
I first started using a straight on my first deployment as well. I came here and asked a few questions about what I should get and almost immediatly got a pm asking on where the razor needed to ship to, I then received a care package with razor, strop, brush and soap. People here are the best, so if you need anything else shoot mgr a pm and let me know where to send it,
I didn't worry about the time it took, if I didn't have time I just didn't shave, don't know how your unit is but I could make it almost a month without shaving while deployed. Good luck and be safe, and have fun when you can or you'll go nuts.
-dan-
I've seen a picture of my 'now' 88 year old Boy Scout Scoutmaster/Former Marine at a Sunday Services on Iwo Jima with a nice Goatee! :):):)Quote:
don't know how your unit is but I could make it almost a month without shaving while deployed. Good luck and be safe, and have fun when you can or you'll go nuts.
Yep, shaving regs can vary, especially if you are far away from the prying eyes of the fobbits.
(me in '06)
http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/2578/af2vl.jpg
It's been since 6/14/11 since Thumperx22 has logged in.
Hope all is well and we didn't miss you when you were catching the boat...
Take it from me, this is a good place to get the advice and help you need; Thumprex72. My son leaves from Lejune next month for the same location. (Second deployment). I'll say to you what I said to him (among other things)-- Look out for yourself and the people your with, stay safe whenever possible and God bless. I'll toss in a prayer for you along with the ones I send for him. Take care.