Thread: Pack Razor

Hi everyone!

I'm new to straight razor shaving and I'm looking for a good razor to use for backpacking. I backpack for a living and I cant stand trying to shave on the trail with a multiple blade razor! I spend more than 3/4 of the year living out of my pack so I need a razor that is on the more durable side but from everything I can tell a wedge wouldnt be a good choice due to how hard it is to hone. Any suggestions? If you know a brand that is more depedable then that would be great to. I curently have a DOVO Classic Black that I keep in my truck for shaving once off the trail but I'm worried I'll damage such a fine blade on the trail!

Thanks for your help

SCAR

In my short experience, it's a lot easier to ding a straight razor than a cartridge blade. If the razor is kept in its case though, I don't see what difference it would make. I'd probably rubber band the razor in the closed position.

I'm not sure how the durability of a straight translates to a better shaving weapon for a backpacking trip

Originally Posted by hoglahoo

In my short experience, it's a lot easier to ding a straight razor than a cartridge blade. If the razor is kept in its case though, I don't see what difference it would make. I'd probably rubber band the razor in the closed position.

I'm not sure how the durability of a straight translates to a better shaving weapon for a backpacking trip

Believe it or not a straight helps out in many ways! First I get a better shave! But the main thing for backpacking is i dont have to have running water for cleaning the blade. Other than in streams and rivers running water is hard to find when out camping and I cant waste H2O when I have to pack it in to remote locations but I still love a nice clean shave!

I would go with an Inox just for the rust factor. I picked up an inox hinkles for $20.00 at the fleamarket and it has made a good razor. I don't see how packing a razor would be that bad. What else are you going to use in the backpack shave kit? another economical razor that I love is a union cutlery spike.

Don

I would say any blade you like if well treated will do fine. Perhaps a Wapi just due to the durable scales, they were made for packing after all. A big help would be one of Tonys vegan strops because they can be rolled up and take dampness with no ill effects. I would also carry a barbers hone if you spend that much time in the bush you might find time for honing or you may need to refresh your blade while "out there".

If weight is a concern, I would look at the Shavette or other open holders of disposable blades. This is what I will be bringing in on my next packing trip. The razor and a five pack of blades would weigh just ounces and take up little more room than a pen while keeping me shaving daily for up to ten weeks. It isn't as much fun as shaving with a real straight but gives you all the convenience you are looking for in a light small durable package.

How the hell do make a living backpacking? Outside of the military?

Originally Posted by scar9783

Believe it or not a straight helps out in many ways! First I get a better shave! But the main thing for backpacking is i dont have to have running water for cleaning the blade. Other than in streams and rivers running water is hard to find when out camping and I cant waste H2O when I have to pack it in to remote locations but I still love a nice clean shave!

Good call, I didn't consider that

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

How the hell do make a living backpacking? Outside of the military?

+1 I'd love to know too!

Originally Posted by Wildtim

Perhaps a Wapi just due to the durable scales, they were made for packing after all.

Yeah, a Wapi would be my choice too, durable scales and gets better and better from stropping... Bring a .5 micron pasted strop and you'll porbably be set for a year or two... Wapis are the perfect straights!

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

How the hell do make a living backpacking? Outside of the military?

I'm a Wilderness Leadership Experiental Education Instructor. I work from season to season in different parts of the world taking people of all ages out into the wilderness. Sometimes it's backpacking in the mountains, canoeing on the rivers, white water rafting, white water kayaking, rock climbing, and sometimes I work with at-risk youth teaching them to be abit more human and take responsibility for thier actions using all the above activities to teach them how to cope with society and trust others.

Originally Posted by scar9783

I'm a Wilderness Leadership Experiental Education Instructor. I work from season to season in different parts of the world taking people of all ages out into the wilderness. Sometimes it's backpacking in the mountains, canoeing on the rivers, white water rafting, white water kayaking, rock climbing, and sometimes I work with at-risk youth teaching them to be abit more human and take responsibility for thier actions using all the above activities to teach them how to cope with society and trust others.

Ut-oh...I think the corporate sector unemployment rate just went up.....




Scott