Thread: Back Woods Shaving

What is a reasonable minimum size for the mirror. I'm doing a downriver trip and will be thinking about this.

Good question, one which I've asked myself. I would suggest one small enough to fit in the pockets of your rucksack or the cargo pocket of your pants. If it's too small, however, you will be turning your head one way and your eyeballs the other which can be a real strain. I'd say about five by seven or four by six inches would be a good compromise between compactness and visibility.

Originally Posted by matt321

What is a reasonable minimum size for the mirror. I'm doing a downriver trip and will be thinking about this.

My camping mirror is 3x3 inches and is more than sufficient. It's also stainless, so no worries about breaking.

Ed

Every time we have a big windstorm and the power goes out for a week. I find it rather relaxing.

Originally Posted by ForestryProf

My camping mirror is 3x3 inches and is more than sufficient. It's also stainless, so no worries about breaking.

Ed

The plain plate of stainless steel is always a good idea, as the chance of it breaking are pretty much nil. Bending is possible, but not without some serious pressure. However, for size ...

Originally Posted by Agamemnon

If it's too small, however, you will be turning your head one way and your eyeballs the other which can be a real strain. I'd say about five by seven or four by six inches would be a good compromise between compactness and visibility.

I will have to go with this. The 3x3 I have always found too small, but that might be just because I am not used to something that small.

A glass mirror can be a problem in the field. Murphy's Law: You WILL drop it and it WILL land on a rock. I once tried a steel mirror but it didn't seem to work very well; I could hardly see myself (Which might not be such a bad thing.).

The outdoors are the best place to shave with a straight! Anyone that sees you will be tempted to ask questions.

I sahved with my 4/8" SS Dovo, a Coughlan's plastic mirror and a tube of Taylor's sandalwood. I had been sleeping in my bark tipi and placed the mirror on the entrance beam. I heateC the water on a Coleman backpacking stove and got a BBS shave in about 15 minutes. Pure heaven! Grant

While I was over here, I had a "wet" trailer pretty much the whole time, which is a godsend compared to how most others have it. Anyways, I recently cleared out prior to leaving soon, and I'm now in a temp area with others and use common showers, toilets, etc. So anyways, I am shaving in the evenings (don't ask) now and getting a lot of looks, but trying my darnedest to concentrate on the shave itself, remaining as "Zen" as possible. I have never really made this a public spectacle before, but now that I have, I can't help but strutting a little bit on the way out of the door after I am done, just knowing that they all wish they could shave the way I do. Just thought I would share that.

All the posts in this thread illustrate that, while the beard prep and fancy soaps and pre/post oils and aftershaves are nice to have, all that's really necessary are; a cup of water, a bar of soap and a sharp blade.

Originally Posted by Agamemnon

All the posts in this thread illustrate that, while the beard prep and fancy soaps and pre/post oils and aftershaves are nice to have, all that's really necessary are; a cup of water, a bar of soap and a sharp blade.

Very true, that is all I have been using for almost 2 weeks now. Water, Mama Bear soap, razor, done.