Thread: Reflections on Wartime Shaves

Originally Posted by oldschooltools

I read somewhere that troops are not permitted to bring straight razors in country. Too dangerous! It's OK to walk around with loaded M9's and M4's with bayonets but, not sharp shaving utensils. Could we, should we, suggest a program to get mugs, brushes and safety razors to the troops who would want them?

there used to be a thread here somewhere called "shaving stuff for the troops" not sure what happened to it, since shaving stuff can sometimes be hard to come by out there people would donate stuff and send it one of the guys here who would package it all up and send it out to a unit/units either in iraq or afganistan. i received a box that had a bunch of soaps and creams, some aftershave balms, some brushes and the little tuppaware cups for the soaps.

im pretty sure they are allowed to have straights over there, i always bring mine with me (although i mostly use my DE over there). they just cant bring them on the plane unless it is in their checked luggage.

yep most of the guys over there use the disposable plastic crap and canned goo, i got a few guys to start at least using a brush and real soap but i think they reverted back to their old ways cause it took to long, oh well their loss. i actually got my first straight from one of the guys here, he sent it to me as a care package with a wapi, a strop, cream and a brush it was obviously and awesome package to open.

-dan-

Thanks, Dan.

I'll look into it. Also, thank you for setting me straight (pun intended) on the straight razors in country question.

Screaming Eagle by any chance?

Hello, oldschooltools and Sinnfein:

Thank you for your comments. I think this thread, Reflections on Wartime Shaves, is losing its focus with the other topic introduced. Oldschoolstools, your suggestion for supplying the troops with quality shaving gear deserves its own thread. I will go ahead and start new thread on the subject and let's see where it will lead us.

Regards,

Obie

Obie,

I apologize for losing focus (it only happens daily) and hogging your thread. But, I was captivated. Back on track...

In 1976, we were patroling the DMZ between East and West Germany opposite the Fulda Gap. It was January and well below freezing. My top dog was a stickler for 3 things. If one showed up at company chow without a protective mask, a weapon and a shave, he was sent back to his tank/vehicle with no hot chow and a box of Korean War era C rats. Brutal. I learned, some didn't.

I only shaved once every couple of days but, close. I used my Dad's 1956 Gillette SuperSpeed Red Tip (still have it), a Shulton Old Spice mug with Ivory Soap and vegetable oil. I remember hanging one of those polished steel mirrors from the fender. The steel pot is resting between the road wheels of an M60A1 "Patton" Tank. The same set up was also used for cooking and "field bathing". At 20 degrees F, or lower, most of us could perform our toilet in a very short order.