Thread: Traditional Shaving Products for Our Troops

Ladies and gentlemen:

I have read these posts with much interest, and have analyzed the idea of providing straight razor and wet shaving equipment to our troops fighting wars. As a former soldier who has served in war (mine was Vietnam), my thoughts echo what some of you have noted.

My experience tells me most soldiers dislike the daily shave. They find it a burden, a pain in the tokhus, but do it because regulations are regulations. Although Straight Razor Place has made this noble gesture to our soldiers in war, I dare say we will have few takers.

A soldier has far too many things to think about, and on which to spend his time, than to embrace the world of straight razor shaving with all its rituals and idiosyncrasies. With rare exceptions, soldiers would rather get the shave over as fast as they can, any way they, and move on.

I fear, therefore, our effort will be for naught. Yes, our soldiers will be grateful for the gesture — soldiers are always grateful for a nod — but most will probably admit that straight razor shaving is not for them, at least not under the circumstances. A soldier's reality in a bloody war is different from ours in a peaceful land.

What's more, the world of wet shaving with the straight razor and the double edge relies on personal desire rather than anything else. We embrace this colorful world because we want to. Yes, occasionally some of us have tasted the fruits of it on invitation. Yet the reason we have kept up with it is directed by our desire to shave with the straight razor or the double.

I believe the best course for us, as individuals and as members of Straight Razor Place, is to provide all the teaching and information we can and let our soldiers decide for themselves, when conditions are better, whether they want to experience the daily pleasures in the shave den we civilians so enjoy.

Regards,

Obie

@Obie-I completely agree with that line of thought, and I'll add a little extra. Many of our troops are serving in remote areas where water, the ability to heat it, etc may be quite limited. In other words, it wouldn't be practical. During my OIF tour, I was never in an area where I could have done this, had I been straight shaving at the time.

it is a shame, but an understandable decision. as for heating water in the remote areas over in iraq i found that just leaving it in a bottle and sitting it outside for a bit works (in the summer time at least) .

-dan-

I have to agree, sometimes shaving was nice, when I had some downtime and the opportunity to take more than a 2 minute shower, but otherwise it was just something that needed to be done. I would encourage anyone that wants to send something to look into the many programs that exist for sending care packages. Powdered drink mixes and girl scout cookies were always popular Now if someone just really has to send a razor to a Soldier, I can take it off your hands

It is wonderful to see that so many individuals are willing to support us troops. I bought a Dovo Shavette in an attempt to learn to shave with a straight razor (I read somewhere that this razor is a good starter) but I quickly gave it up because I learned the hard way that this was not a smart idea. I am in California right now training up to deploy, yet again, and have wanted for years to learn the in's and out's of straight razor shaving but have no clue which products to buy (and certainly not enough $$$ to play the whole trial and error game since I am supporting a wife and several children). Any assistance that could be offered would be greatly appreciated because I would like to have all of the necessary gear and also to have perfected the art of straight razor shaving prior to heading into the sandbox for another year.
Any info would be greatly appreciated.
(and yes, we can carry straight razors on deployment)

Originally Posted by SSGMorris

It is wonderful to see that so many individuals are willing to support us troops. I bought a Dovo Shavette in an attempt to learn to shave with a straight razor (I read somewhere that this razor is a good starter) but I quickly gave it up because I learned the hard way that this was not a smart idea. I am in California right now training up to deploy, yet again, and have wanted for years to learn the in's and out's of straight razor shaving but have no clue which products to buy (and certainly not enough $$$ to play the whole trial and error game since I am supporting a wife and several children). Any assistance that could be offered would be greatly appreciated because I would like to have all of the necessary gear and also to have perfected the art of straight razor shaving prior to heading into the sandbox for another year.
Any info would be greatly appreciated.
(and yes, we can carry straight razors on deployment)

My dear Staff Sergeant Morris,

Believe me, I get the whole support of wife and kids on E-6 pay thing. If you will PM me with your address, I will send you a shave ready straight razor and some accoutrements. The learning will take some time and effort on your part....best not to do this while deployed. Spend some time here with the shave wiki. It will shorten your learning curve dramatically.

Thank you for your service and return home safely.

Sincerely,
oldschooltools

Although I've recently retired from the military, when I was with the special forces there was no time to shave with a SR except when at the base. Otherwise it was a DE and cold water when on the field (twice a day), not the best for you're skin. But I think some of the guys would love to receive some shaving material that they can use in there little off time they got. When you're gone that long it can help you to pass time and it always feel nice to receive something, just the thought that people do think about the ones that are fighting for others freedom can make a huge difference on a guys mindset.

I have to say, I was completely thrown aback by how many of you guys are/were in the service. I'm active duty for just over 2 years now and only using the straight for less than one. I had all but given up hope of taking it to Afghanistan (which I will be there starting in Dec.) and just sticking to a disposable or possibly electric in the meantime... This thread has given me hope! lol Even if it's a small thing, I understand how the simple things that make you feel like you're at home are appreciated over there. It's been years since I've been active on any forum, but I'd just like to say thanks for all being so outgoing even if it's only a notion and never comes to fruition.

@ Aceqwety I hope you have a safe tour over there. I don't know about razor stuff but on the smoking forums we regularly send out pipes, tobacco and snuff overseas to the troops. Don't know if it's allowed to take SR with you?

Not sure if it is or not. I'm not much of a smoker though so I may be a bad one to ask, lol.