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I wouldn't say I'm the Bear Grylls type, but I do like to go camping/fishing when I get the chance.
What do you do for shaving while on a camping trip? I'm sure some just don't shave, but if I don't shave my whiskers will curl around and pierce my skin within a day and a half.
What's your camping setup?
Get yourself one of those fold-in-itself material camp basins, an acrylic camp mirror and your chosen brush, razor, strop and a tube of shave cream. I haven't shaved while camping as such, but I've had many an outdoor shave with limited facilities. As such the only difference to what I've stated above is that I use an enamel wash basin instead of the fold up material style. Only because my limited facilities situation is based in the same hut and I can store some gear there.
A breeze will quickly dry the lather on your face, so either don't waste too much time once you lather up, or just lather in sections.
Holding the mirror in one hand is great for being able to get a good angle on things, but prevents skin stretching technique.
Hanging the mirror up on a breezy day may end up having you bobbing around to keep an eye on things.
When you finally get the $hits with the wobbly mirror just close your eyes and shave by feel and memory.
Mick
I love the great outdoors. Most time I wont shave when in the woods, but if I do, I strop the hell out of my stainless Dovo before leaving home, bring around some tubed cream, and just suffice with a WTG shave. I too will suffer if I don't shave with some nasty hair irritation. I'm ok w cold water too. Have fun in the woods.
If you want a warm water shave just heat some in the billy over a fire and add that to your fold away sink. I shave in cold from the creek/tap water usually so water temp isn't a concern for me.
Mick
I was on a trek and used a disposable straight razor. I just used a good one pass every few days of treking on the trail and the bearded guys kept asking me what I was using and why?
Pabster
Oh Pabster, doncha know its more manly to shave with a straight when yer in the woods?! Geez man, get with the programme here will ya?! :)
Mick
In the past I've used a cartridge razor with the goo strip, but thought it'd be cool to see/read what other guys use when they're away from "civilization" so to speak.
I am planning a camping trip or two for this summer and will need to figure out a solution--I'd rather not go back to the goo strip cartridge.
I've had to shave in the field for my job with the military and have always bowed out and used a cartridge razor due to time constraints. It's just more simple and quick, and can be done quite easily without a mirror. When camping on my own time, I typically don't shave at all.
But if you must, I don't see why you couldn't bring a straight razor, brush and some soap when camping... If it's a relaxing trip and you have the time, give it a try! If you like hot water, heat a bit up in a large bowl or pot beforehand... if you enjoy a cooler shave (and your soap permits it) how about wading out into the lake??? :) Let us know how it goes
I to have a few camping trips planned for this summer, and honestly i cant wait to break out a straight at the picnic table and shave away in the morning, if for nothing more than the looks i will get from all the people who happen to notice. makes all the things we do this for, ie, the love of a good shave, and such, worth the while. just because were guys doesnt mean we cant take care of our face.
it would be a cold water shave with me and my razor thats all lol
Paddle strop, soap, brush and then shave by memory.
I’ve been a scout leader for over 10 years and the troop is very active with camping trips every month. For camping I use the starter set I got from Larry Andro as compared to my regular razors or strop.
Breaking out the kit (straight, strop, collapsible bowl, brush, shave stick, and signal mirror) does open up the eyes of the young men/boys as well as other leaders.
I take the hot water off my backpack stove and fill the bowl with a washcloth in it to get that hot too, strop the straight then soak my face with the hot washcloth, apply the shave stick and then work up the lather and shave. The smaller mirror was a bit of a challenge at first, but it works just fine.
I generally use a shave stick and a DE when I camp. During military training in the field, I use a disposable and a shave stick.
Besides the necessary brush, paddle strop, and razor, I have 2 small silicone bowls I use for shaving on the go.
One bowl I use for lather and the other I use to hold a small amount of 'clean' water.
A small washcloth is essential for me ... and a small pocket signal mirror as well.
I use the washcloth to wipe the lather off of the blade. A sponge is a good substitute.
Witch hazel is useful as well.
Have fun and keep us posted.
Funny I actually saw this youtube video the other day farting around online:
Video
This simply won't do for the purists, but I use a DE any time I'm away from home.
Razor (You can store extra blades in the razor, just remember they are there!)
Can of soap
Brush.
No need for strop, and no worry about the blade somehow magically opening somehow and very little concern for moisture turning things "rustique"
I think the disposable Shavette route has merit as well. Dang it, I've been meaning to buy one of those for months now.
This is kind of funny coming across this camping thing. About 3 or 4 months ago, I went camping with a friend. This is when I first started getting into straights. I borrow a Dovo rounded blade that we thought was sharp, especially compared to my friends straight. Well we ate our faces up by the fire with a little mirror and a blunt piece of metal in our hands. While it drug and pulled out our hairs we we still enjoying the thought of being real men. Now months later we are quite proficient and I am doing quite well with a 10 to 15 minute shave time. Not baby but smooth but still holding the man card. This is the life.
HHhhmm...
You might try this.....;)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NN3fWyIDk4
Or, you can knap some obsidian and make your own primitive razor...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWSTE6WLB0Y
As I think about shaving in God's great expanse; I picture some rough trapper sitting on a rock with his feet in a stream, razor in hand, mule drinking down stream. Next time I go camping, I'll have to snap some pics just for fun.
Peace,
Thats the stuff, I am with you Big Jim, makes for a manly weekend if you ask me. But you forgot that you were carrying back a 1,300 pound Elk on your horse and you were running out of time. So keep it to one close shave and you will only have to shave once. Good luck