Thread: Razors for Camping?

I was thinking today about something I heard my dad say a few months ago. Now, he knows nothing about straight razors except he doesn't use them nor will he try. We were in a restaurant and told someone about what I do and he mentioned that he had heard some people use them while on long camping trips. Later talking with one of his friend who is an avid camper and outdoorsman said that he only used one when camping. Has anyone heard or done this? I know I have heard some weird things in life (mostly tall tales) but this one seemed to be researchable. I would love to hear opinions on this to find out if this is real or if I have been snipe hunting (for the southerners that may be here).

I use one everytime I shave, whats unusual about using one outdoors?

My stepfather is 65, when he was early to mid teens they'd do big hunting trips. one friend of his dad's would get up EARLY, start breakfast, and shave every morning with a straight razor. I'm guessing though he probably shaved with one all the time. I have no idea why a person would only use it camping though, that doesn't really make sense.

I have thought a lot though about a "combat razor" not for combat, but for the trenches so to speak. one that is durable as hell and go anywhere. i thought a good stainless blade with stainless pins and washers and g10 or carbon fiber handle would be best.

Red

Originally Posted by Big Red

I have thought a lot though about a "combat razor" not for combat, but for the trenches so to speak. one that is durable as hell and go anywhere. i thought a good stainless blade with stainless pins and washers and g10 or carbon fiber handle would be best.

I like the way you think.

Originally Posted by Big Red

My stepfather is 65, when he was early to mid teens they'd do big hunting trips. one friend of his dad's would get up EARLY, start breakfast, and shave every morning with a straight razor. I'm guessing though he probably shaved with one all the time. I have no idea why a person would only use it camping though, that doesn't really make sense.

I have thought a lot though about a "combat razor" not for combat, but for the trenches so to speak. one that is durable as hell and go anywhere. i thought a good stainless blade with stainless pins and washers and g10 or carbon fiber handle would be best.

Red

X is right, youre on the money.

I don't think it's unusual.

I may not shave every day while camping, but if I'm headed towards civilization during the trip, or more likely wrapping the trip up to head home, I enjoy getting a really good shave beforehand.

The shaving kit doesn't take up much space, whether you're backpacking or car-camping. Brush and soap fits in mug, razor can go most anywhere.

And, come on, what's more manly than sitting next to the campfire shaving with a straight while the coffee is brewing over the fire?

Thanks for all the replies. I just wanted to make sure someone wasn't pulling my leg so to speak. I guess the next time I go camping I will take one with me and try it out.

I shave with one when camping. I normally take either a stainless or chrome plated model, and one of the small narrow Streich-Riemen paddles.

Originally Posted by mparker762

I shave with one when camping. I normally take either a stainless or chrome plated model, and one of the small narrow Streich-Riemen paddles.

Do you take a mirror along or shave 'blind'? I'm assuming that if yes, it's fairly small. If so, how do you find it?

As regards the rest, seems a bit strange to me that someone would choose only to use a straight when camping. I'd have thought that convenience would win out. Unfortunately I have no anecdote that could throw further light on this.

After you've been using a straight for awhile you don't need the mirror as much. The steel mirror in your emergency kit will do fine. Just prop it up on a stob, or tape it to the tree trunk with a strip of duct tape.

The idea of only using a straight while camping seems odd to me too, but some people are really in to the idea of "roughing it".