Thread: My Backpacking Setup

Did you include alum in case of cuts? I also do not see any aftershave with your supplies, do you think you may need it? Do you have a backup plan in case that the blades get dulled beyond what strop paste can do? Hey, and please do not forget a mirror, it may be helpful too.

Al raz.

Originally Posted by jigme

Hi!
I'm going to South East Asia (Cambodia and Vietnam) tonight and I've been looking for an acceptable way to pack my shaving gear.

Now, first. Let's get this out of the way
Q) Why take my straight razor stuff away with me?
A) Because I don't want to be shaving with **** for 16 months!

I wanted to take a double razor set, with two strops (one lightly pasted to maintain blades over a long period of time with no reliable way to get them honed.) ...

SE Asia for 16 months? You are going to love the rainy season over there...

One light and small honing solution is a barbers hone and a super-light 8000k DMT W4EE.

For rust, even Break-Free isn't 100% (in SE Asia's humidity). Ballistol might be worth a try and it is also an antiseptic you can use on any cuts.

Hey,
Thanks for all the replies! I'll try to answer what I can remember. I'm currently in KL airport on a 4 hour layover with no sleep so excuse me if I admit things I shouldn't.

I'm going to Cambodia then to Vietnam. Not just in Cambodia for 16 months. Going to be teaching in Hanoi after doing some traveling first. But that's not important right now!

I'm using Vaseline to keep my blades rust-free. Been working well in my experiments with it pre-departure.

I have stypic stick included inside that kit, and also a small mirror.
What's not viewable in that photo (cos I pack it elsewhere) is a big steel multi-purpose cup which I'm using for lather.

In regards to aftershave, the scented aftershave is a bit of a no-no in malaria danger zones (top gun music cue please) so I'm using the Proraso Pre-After care which makes my face feel fantastic and from what I've read, acts as a mossie repellent, as apposed to an attractant.

Regarding the stops. They're no hassle in my pack, but time will definitely tell on that front and I'll keep you posted. I plan (by plan, I mean I'm seriously looking forward to) getting hones and I'm going to do that when I move into a place in Hanoi. I had a local traditional barber who does all my honing at home and he's great. That's why I don't have a hone, before anyone asks :P

Thanks again for all the input. Muchly appreciated.
My boarding gate has now changed on me. Better shuffle off!
Sam

Sam--did I miss something? I didn't see a hone in there, and you did mention 16 months (are you military?)

Originally Posted by YesSheDoes!

Sam--did I miss something? I didn't see a hone in there, and you did mention 16 months (are you military?)

Not military, TESOL teacher.

I don't have a hone as my blades stay comfortably sharp from stropping with a clean strop. That's when I was using one blade, now I'm using two I figure having a pasted strop and my normal strop will keep them in line for the time I'm away fairly easily.

I've been in country a week and a bit now and the kit's going splendid. Hard to get hot water though. Even guesthouses advertising hot water only have luke warm water coming through the shower.
Rose, my partner just found out this morning how to get really really hot water through the electric hot water system for 4 seconds this morning. I'll use that later

Take it easy!
Sam

She works!

Shaving in Vietnam on Flickr - Photo Sharing!



This was in Cambodia. Scored some nice hot water in that flask from the restaurant for a super-warm lather lol.

I'm in Vietnam now, and my shower is hot enough to shave with the water, so all's good.

I'm getting a Norton Waterstone as soon as we stop travelling cos I can't resist the urge to learn any longer haha. 4000/8000 seems to be the way to go. They're not too expensive either, so I might get a finer one as well to get it super smooth. Overkill maybe?

...mach 3....

Originally Posted by Yahoochiewatchie

...mach 3....

And not use my straights for over a year? Are you insane?!

must be your ATG pass

You are a stronger man than I...