Thread: Is this a good kit for a Deployment to Afghanistan?

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!

Originally Posted by Stubear

As long as you dry the blade off before you stow it either will be just fine.

It's freakin' Afghanistan. I think the blade will dry!

(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.