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Thread: Inspiration/pictures pre 1900 (?) straight travel kits for camping - help needed

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    Default Inspiration/pictures pre 1900 (?) straight travel kits for camping - help needed

    Hi All, hopefully you can help me out!

    I camp a fair bit and want to take along the straight. It's not a problem with the family camping plus car, but for hiking/bike and more lightweight stuff it is more of a challenge. I know, I know, just put up with the growth for a few days or take a *gasp* disposable...Of course I can just put my kit about my person, which works,but I have something else in mind I'd like inspiration for.

    I'm guessing the old military <1900 used some sort of straight travel kits, canvas roll, leather cased, small mirror included? Does anyone have any pictures of this type of equipment I can take inspiration from? The material doesn't matter, must include strop though.

    Ideally, I need to be able to hang the mirror from a tree or similar to enjoy a lovely morning shave in the woods.

    Also, any recommendations for creams or soaps in such a kit - mug I have. Cup of tea first, then shave. Always in that order

    Thanks in advance, I hope there is something out there for straights. Most of the stuff I have found so far is WW1 and 2 safety razor and not really what I'm after.

    Best

    Apis

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    Poor Fit
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    For me personally...there's nothing better than heading off on a trip where I don't really have to shave, and then coming home to mow off the accumulated growth with a straight I've never actually seen any such compact travel kit for straights..but I'm sure something could come from Max's Micro Razors.
    Last edited by Catrentshaving; 07-04-2013 at 05:32 AM.

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    Senior Member blabbermouth Leatherstockiings's Avatar
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    This probably would not be appropriate for backpacking but I am fascinated with George Washington's travel kit. I could not get the link to work but a quick search at the Mount Vernon website should bring results. Basically Washington used a box, very similar to a 7 day set, that held razors, whetstone, strop, soap, etc.
    Last edited by Leatherstockiings; 07-04-2013 at 06:19 AM. Reason: Link did not work

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    Senior Member Frankenstein's Avatar
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    There's inspiration in this thread too.

    http://straightrazorpalace.com/gener...lockhouse.html
    I love the smell of shaving cream in the morning!

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    Member Dim5Bck's Avatar
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    So I did some browsing to see if I could find a WWI straight razor kit, and discovered the most of the kits were DE razors and very few were actual straights. but I found a website that had this showen:

    Name:  US18660.jpg
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    Great War Militaria - Great War Militaria

    It did not come with a strop, because it was more like a shavette, but you could easily add a small travel strop or make a small paddle strop to bring with you. as for the shaving cream I would just get a tube of Proraso to bring with you.

    Hope this helps you.
    Hirlau likes this.

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    Well Shaved Gentleman... jhenry's Avatar
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    Apis,

    You're correct about that. Military officers did have canvas/leather shaving kits for travel in the early 20th century that were pretty compact.

    I own one. The interior has a lengthy zip pocket where a straight razor can be stored--along with pockets to store other toiletries. Purchased it from a U. S. retailer awhile back. Unfortunately, they don't offer it for sale anymore.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Frankenstein View Post
    There's inspiration in this thread too.

    http://straightrazorpalace.com/gener...lockhouse.html
    Experiencing this would definitely add to that indefineable meditative aspect of the shave.

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    Senior Member crouton976's Avatar
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    I'll have to post up the pics of my Genco kit that was issued to GI's during WW1. It has a Genco SafeEdge razor (which I think may be NOS, given the way it was mowing down arm hairs like a Howitzer with no real usage marks), polished steel mirror, strop-backed barber hone and a canvas pouch for storage.

    For those interested in a preview, do a google image search for "genco WW1"... the 2nd image to come up shows the picture from the auction.

    I also have a vintage travel brush that is ~3/4" in diameter with a removable knot that stores in the handle. That, plus a small refillable bottle of shave cream and aftershave/witch hazel and I'm set.

    I used this setup once in my bathroom as a trial run (except I used a different razor, as I wasn't sure I wanted to start using the SafeEdge yet) and it worked pretty great. I used two towels (one for wiping my spent lather on and one to dry everything off) and a bottle of water (splashing over the sink to avoid a mess), as well as a thumb tack to hang the mirror.

    The conclusion was that this would be great for roughing it.
    "Willpower and Dedication are good words," Roland remarked, "There's a bad one, though, that means the same thing. That one is Obsession." -Roland Deschain of Gilead

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    Senior Member crouton976's Avatar
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    As promised, here is a shot of my genco kit.

    I now have a puncture wound in my left butt cheek from a nail that was under some leaves I laid down on to take this shot... man, the things I do for you people.
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    "Willpower and Dedication are good words," Roland remarked, "There's a bad one, though, that means the same thing. That one is Obsession." -Roland Deschain of Gilead

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    Historically Inquisitive Martin103's Avatar
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    1917 Advertisement from Genco.

    Name:  genco safety adv.JPG
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    Name:  genco production military.JPG
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