Thread: Shaving in austere environments

Gentlemen,
I'm a 33-year old US Marine infantryman. I currently shave with a multi-blade disposable. I also shave my balding head. I find myself in the field for at least two of the four weeks of the month. Recently, I was conducting training in the jungle, and as I woke at 0430 to shave with a three-week old, rusty disposable, I realized that shaving with a bad blade sucks. I can get a shave with a jagged piece of metal, if I have to. But do I have to? We speculated that the only way to keep gunk (hair, shaving cream, gel, non-foaming gel, etc) from clogging our razors was to use a razor that didn't have the nooks and crannies that a modern razor had. That led us to the theory that shaving with a straight razor might be the answer. We don't usually have running water to properly clean a multi-blade, hence the rust and dullness. A few questions about straight razor shaving while in the field or in combat follow.

Can I expect to shave at the level of BBS while in the field? Anyone out there shave without a mirror (I often have to shave without light or with very little light)? How long does a straight razor shave keep a respectable, clean look (for instance will a straight razor shave equal a 10-hour old disposable razor shave after 36-hours?)? I realize that historically gentlemen/officers shaved with their razors "in the field" but the conduct of war has changed to be a 24-hour operation since WWI. I'm not concerned with having to strop in the field. That seems akin to caring for my weapon or gear. Also, I can heat water. However, how do creams and soaps "travel"?

I'm looking forward to feedback and some assistance to getting started. I would like to thank all of you for the beginner information that I have already found on this site.

Shaving in the field with a straight would probably be hard work. They need some care & have to be stropped prior to use. The edges are delicate, & if damaged, need a series of stones to return to shave ready.
If I were to suggest a razor for such use, it would be a quality stainless blade, such as a Friodur.
What may be even better may be a straight style handle that takes disposable blades. No clogging, no stropping, no sharpening. When it dulls, just change the blade.

A stainless razor would be a good choice, but I think I would definitely go with a disposable blade straight. Specifically, a Feather Artists Club would be my first choice. Being able to replace a worn or damaged blade with a fresh, shave ready blade should be valuable when you don't have access to honing equipment or services.

Hi ZCP,
+1 with the above advice.
One thought though-while talking to my aged next door neighbour the other day -he told me that when his kit was inspected in barrack after buying a straight razor -he was put on a charge for possession of a dangerous weapon.Now that was many years ago around the Korean war date.I don't know if the same may apply today-so it's worth checking before you buy!
Good luck!
Noggs

Welcome to SRP

Your premise is correct so I'll go through your questions one by one:

Originally Posted by ZCP

Can I expect to shave at the level of BBS while in the field?

Yes, but you have to get good at it first, which will take time, probably months to a year.

Originally Posted by ZCP

Anyone out there shave without a mirror (I often have to shave without light or with very little light)?

I can shave without a mirror, but even when I use a mirror the feel and muscle memory are far more important

Originally Posted by ZCP

How long does a straight razor shave keep a respectable, clean look (for instance will a straight razor shave equal a 10-hour old disposable razor shave after 36-hours?)? I realize that historically gentlemen/officers shaved with their razors "in the field" but the conduct of war has changed to be a 24-hour operation since WWI. I'm not concerned with having to strop in the field. That seems akin to caring for my weapon or gear.

Stropping is what keeps the edge of the razor going for months. That's why a straight razor doesn't need honing for months, while DE or cartridge blades don't last beyond few shaves. The first DE blades were often stropped to extend life, currently they are coated with various compounds to slow the rust and are fairly inexpensive.
However you will need to make sure that your blade is thouroughly dried after shaving, so if you only have 5-10 minutes and need to shave and pack this will most likely not work.
The razor edge is the most delicate piece of equipment you carry so it does need to be cared for.
A good alternative would be a feather razor which uses replaceable blades. You'll solve the gunk problem but will still have to replace blades every several shaves.

BTW AFDavis posted at one point that he used to strop on a tire in the jungle. Hopefully he'll stop by, but if not drop him a PM for his take on this.

Originally Posted by ZCP

Also, I can heat water. However, how do creams and soaps "travel"?

soaps are easy - not much can happen to them, but then you probably want to use a brush as well. there are some decent brushless creams. i think cream in a tube would be preferable to one in a tub.

Welcome to SRP and thanks for your service. IMO your best bet would be to look into a 3 piece DE double edge razor such as the old Gillettes that fit into a flat hard case and were compact and portable with blades that are in general readily available.

Speaking strictly from my own experience something you may want to consider is expendability. I'm a Canadian serviceman and in my experience your kit doesn't always get handled as gently as you might like it to be. When going to the field or on operation (I'm just home from Afghanistan) I take a cheap DE razor with me, that way I don't care if it gets messed up or broken. The DE razor may still get a bit gunked up, but with the butterfly opening on top it's easy to take the blade out and wipe it off if necessary, and the blades are cheap enough to replace when they get dull or rusty. The shave may not be the best, but it's close enough to pass muster, and helps you appreciate your razors at home that much more. As for creams and soaps, friends of mine and I have found the Proraso in both the cup and the tube travel very well, though the tube may serve best if you're planning to lather with your fingers. Best of luck, soldier on...

Welcome to the site!

+1 on a Feather or something like that. All the benefits you want (like no clogging and a good shave), but you dont need to worry about stropping or honing.

Another option is a DE, and you can pick up good DE's for a fairly minimal outlay (I think my Merkur was about £30) on Amazon. Plus the blades are cheap..!

Good luck and keep us posted!

All,
I will be trying the recommendations that have been suggested. Thank you.

If you have any more thoughts on this, I am always open to new ideas.

There have been some good recommendations, and a common theme: Use a razor and products that are low maintenance and fuss, but meet the requirements of reliability, close shave (I was trying to get 36-48 hours out of a shave and still pass muster), relatively lower price than current cartridges, and longevity of a sharp razor.

I will post results in the appropriate forums, as I begin to test your recommendations.

DaveK: Welcome back, and thanks for the perspective and advice.

Again, thank you all for your help.

Respectfully,
ZCP

Originally Posted by ZCP

Gentlemen,
I'm a 33-year old US Marine infantryman. I currently shave with a multi-blade disposable. I also shave my balding head. I find myself in the field for at least two of the four weeks of the month. Recently, I was conducting training in the jungle, and as I woke at 0430 to shave with a three-week old, rusty disposable, I realized that shaving with a bad blade sucks. I can get a shave with a jagged piece of metal, if I have to. But do I have to? We speculated that the only way to keep gunk (hair, shaving cream, gel, non-foaming gel, etc) from clogging our razors was to use a razor that didn't have the nooks and crannies that a modern razor had. That led us to the theory that shaving with a straight razor might be the answer. We don't usually have running water to properly clean a multi-blade, hence the rust and dullness. A few questions about straight razor shaving while in the field or in combat follow.

Can I expect to shave at the level of BBS while in the field? Anyone out there shave without a mirror (I often have to shave without light or with very little light)? How long does a straight razor shave keep a respectable, clean look (for instance will a straight razor shave equal a 10-hour old disposable razor shave after 36-hours?)? I realize that historically gentlemen/officers shaved with their razors "in the field" but the conduct of war has changed to be a 24-hour operation since WWI. I'm not concerned with having to strop in the field. That seems akin to caring for my weapon or gear. Also, I can heat water. However, how do creams and soaps "travel"?

I'm looking forward to feedback and some assistance to getting started. I would like to thank all of you for the beginner information that I have already found on this site.

Lots of good answers.

Try the inexpensive things first.
A cheep boar brush and an inexpensive soap
and a disposable from the exchange. Use hot or
warm water even a canteen cup full will do and
keep your skin clean... clean...

I do recommend a fragrance free soap.
It sounds silly but you do not want the other
guy to smell you coming. And yes they can...

Double edge razors can be excellent shavers.
The simple ones are best, blades are easy
or hard to find, just depends. Disposables
have an advantage. They are disposable
and light.

Do not aspire to a BBS shave in the field
you may get lucky and get one but clean
simple shaving.

A straight with no light -- that would be a fright.