Traditional Shaving Products for Our Troops

Ladies and gentlemen:

Oldschoolstools, one of our members, brought up an interesting point in another thread. I thought the subject deserved its own thread. Here is a quote from Oldschoolstools:

"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?

Sincerely,
oldschooltools"

Ladies and gentlemen, what are your thoughts on this suggestion? I don't know if the soldiers are allowed straight razors. Perhaps someone might know. Also, would there be interest from soldiers for such traditional shaving products under the circumstances, since obviously they are fighting a war.

And may they remain safe and return home.

Regards,

Obie

I think it's a fine suggestion albeit on a flawed premise. As you know, my brother is in Afghanistan right now, and he took razors, a hone, and a strop. He doesn't have much time for shaving/hobby because he's working 16 hour days, but he took them there without any issues.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by richmondesi

I think it's a fine suggestion albeit on a flawed premise. As you know, my brother is in Afghanistan right now, and he took razors, a hone, and a strop. He doesn't have much time for shaving/hobby because he's working 16 hour days, but he took them there without any issues.

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I was thinking the same. I was under the impression (from other members who are serving overseas) that they are allowed to shave with straights...and if allowed, they can carry it...Not sure.

However, if wrong, I am all for such a program. If I were serving without my straight gear, I would not be a happy camper

I know that I PIF'd a straight and other wet shaving gear to a deployed Soldier. He received them and was using them, last I checked. Of course, each rotation of Soldiers experiences their own limitations imposed by their particular command, so YMMV.

That said, great idea, and I'd be willing to contribute a few items...

I'm gratified that they can have any shaving tools of their choice out there; it would be borderline criminal to deny them basic things. (Smoking cigars comes to mind, but let's not get into that so I don't have to tell you about my friend's son - a West Pointer in active service in an active zone with Special Forces - smuggling boxes back there for his guys.)

If the idea takes root, please count me in. While I don't have anything on hand, I stand ready to put money up for it or go out and buy something nice to send to the boys out there.

I'm not a man to hold a grudge, really I'm not, but if this takes hold and I'm left out I will find the responsible party, come over and dull every razor I can find.

Ok, I won't do that, but I use hyperbole to illustrate a point. Besides, I've been burning to use the world "hyperbole" in a sentence for years.

This is a wonderful idea. I'm game to donate some gear.

i dont have much of a collection but i could donate what i can or i can order some new stuff and have it shipped directly to whoever is going to head this up. people here were so great to me during the two deployments where i had internet so i just wanna give back what i can. count me in

-dan-

Interesting, I am deploying this summer and planned on taking my disposable str8, wasn't wanting to take a stone and strop, and hadn't heard that I couldn't take it. I will have to be sure to ask around. I know there are some places I wouldn't even bother given the conditions but those places are less common now.

hey everyone.. let me know if i can send over some products for a group care package.. i have around 80 derby blades and a few misc soaps i can contribute to the cause..

i love being a member of this community and will do anything to give back.

I deployed over there andnever had an issue with sr8's...The only thing they had an isue with was my knife and bayonet....We could bring guns on board, but no knives...I was ridiculous...SO if the Soldies are carring the str8 on in a carry on luggage, then that is where the issue lies...As for sending str8's over..Most soldiers won't like the time it takes to shave with a straight...I was in for 22years and converted only a few in that time....Most joes like to rip through a shave...THere are a few, but not enough to send str8s over....THey would end up using them to open MRE's.

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) :rofl2:.

-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)

Quote:

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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)

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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.

It is still permitted to smoke, for now. They are trying to stop it, as it seems that a bit of smoke it more dangerous than a IED or a bullet.

Go figure.

Allbeit a little slow, but for the record I am allowed to have a staright over here. I'm not out in the field everyday so it obviously wouldn't apply to all. However I thought I would chime back in once more as I browse for a new razor to buy and have shipped out here! SRE sets in...

Legal beagle had a good point about the different attitudes in different commands. Both units I deployed with would not allow you to have "any cutting instrument longer than 4.5 inches fully open, unless issued by your command." In addition, I saw several guys have to turn over their personally procured knives because of that rule. I guess this threads already been decided on, but just figured I'd share too.

Well, back from my tour and other then not planning far enough ahead and running out of some supplies before I got back and after mail had been cut off everything went fine. Ran into one other SR user though he rarely used it he did bring a real Str8 and I used replaceable blades to avoid having to strop and hone while over there.

To be fair my mission was inside the wire security so I always had running water, even if it wasnt always hot, and could make time to do a single pass shave daily. I did get at least one person to start using traditional products and methods, but has yet to move to using a SR or DE. I will say its not a place one should learn to do it but if you already know how there is little keeping you from being able to continue.

There has been a lot of great things mentioned in this thread. Here is my opinion (Son of two 30 year Career US Navy Master Chiefs);
1) Sending over Str8's - maybe a few
2) Sending over DE's - maybe a few
3) Brushes, Mugs, and Soaps - hell yes. A lot of what I love about wet shaving is the luxury and personal time. To be able to provide that to a soldier with a BIC... priceless.

Now we know not everyone will be able to use these things, or have a lot of time. As in life there is no "Silver Bullet" (no pun intended), but receiving these things, and using them at base could make a huge moral boost in a few peoples lives. A break from the menotany if you will.

Like others have posted, I don't have anything extra to send. However, if a vendor or someone else wants to put together a "Soldiers Gift Pack" with any of the above mentioned stuff, count me in. To give any resemblance of home to our ladies and gentleman over there, for my freedom here in the states. I don't think it is too much to contribute.

Thank you to all that have served, are serving, supporting someone serving, or lost some one serving!

Cody