Thread: Shaving in the Field

I am probably getting a little ahead of myself considering I haven't even put the money down on a razor yet. But, here goes....

I currently serve in the Army Reserve here and have some questions on how an SR performs in less than "ideal" conditions ie: no bathroom and limited time. Has anybody had experience using an SR in tactical conditions? Also, any recommendations on a brand that can take some abuse?

The Wapi (w/original scales) was made for the Polish army if I remember correctly.

I use a cheap Berg for travel and field.

I've no experience in the field, but a suggestion: given the conditions might not be as dry as you'd like, it's worth considering buying a 'stainless' steel (like INOX) blade as opposed to a high carbon one. The latter will rust quickly in humid conditions.

Either that, or you will need to consider wiping a carbon blade over with mineral oil in between shaves.

(Dry territories of course wouldn't have this issue.)

Originally Posted by Sly712

I am probably getting a little ahead of myself considering I haven't even put the money down on a razor yet. But, here goes....

I currently serve in the Army Reserve here and have some questions on how an SR performs in less than "ideal" conditions ie: no bathroom and limited time. Has anybody had experience using an SR in tactical conditions? Also, any recommendations on a brand that can take some abuse?

Practice shaving to get fast. I see you're writing from Austrailia... never having had the chance to eat field rations with the Austrailian army, I wonder if you have the chemical water-activated heaters we have in our MREs? If so, activate the heater in a container of water, and use the hot water to shave. (NOTE: Don't use the water in the heater itself.) I've not had a problem in the field. Take a small (paddle, perhaps) strop unless you're barracked and have a place to stay for a while where you can ground your kit. Invest in a small mirror. (Survival/signal mirror can function as a shaving mirror if you put your mind to it.) Don't take an expensive razor to the field. For extended field ops, you may also consider a small polishing stone just in case. Enjoy.

I'm one of those"like he's going up Everest" guys.

I make two piles: wet and dry. Towel, mirror, stone, brush go in the wet. Everything wrapped in towel held in mesh bag. Creme or soap sealed up or contained in small portion.

razor and strop go in the dry.

I use a synthetic micro fiber towel, a pocket size coarse syperco; lapped, and microabr. films cut to size in a balsa box. Strop is thin- 1 foot long. A brush handle is not much needed so I carry only the knot.

there's small containers that are about the size of two bucks in quarters that work well for creme

If i had the material I'd probably make the strop 14 inch long. A long enough loop at the end to be latched on the big toe works great imo. Being thin it rolls up nice, and is best well protected from all manner of grit and grime and only used when it can be kept clean.

Nalgene makes trustworthy plastic bottles to store liquid stuff you may need contained. An alligator clip on a length of collapsible antenna helps manage the mirror! I wrap my razor in a silicone cloth and keep it in a cigar store ziplock bag.

I dont know if you'll care for any of that but maybe something will appeal to you. Good luck

Kevint, what a great response!

I force myself to shave portions of my face without use of the mirror, training my hand to do the feeling. I think this will make my shave, while using the mirror, even more efficient. I shaved a few weeks ago while in the shower. I did better than I expected.

I would suggest a similar approach, weaning yourself away from total dependence on the mirror. Similarly, you might pick an easier small portion of your beard, and see how it might shave with less than hot water. Etc, etc.

Originally Posted by maplemaker

I wonder if you have the chemical water-activated heaters we have in our MREs?

Nope, Aussie rations aren't that "advanced"

If you really want to try some Aussie rations drop me a PM.

I have a Jetboil, that can boil up 500ml of water in a couple of minutes. So hot water isn't too much of a problem.

Although I am a big fan of Straight Shaving, I wouldn't be concerned about it in the field as a soldier.

If you must, use a cheap disposable straight shaver. They are made of stainless steel and do not require stropping. This along with a good lubricant will give you a good beard reduction shave and depending on your technique, give you a good shave, but not a BBS shave.

Shave once every three days and a pack of replacement blades will last you at a min 20+ shaves. In theory, this would last you 20+ weeks. Considering you may just do one pass to do a beard reduction, the blades will last even longer and possible up to 40 weeks.

FYI - the British Redcoats shaved every Wed. and Sunday, thus my suggestion to shave every three days.

Good Luck!

Pabster

It might not be a bad idea to pick up an old gillette tech and DE shave in the field. Blades don't take up much room and are sealed in wax paper, and in my experience (though I have never tried with a straight) shaving with a DE and no mirror is not too difficult a task. If you are bent on keeping with a straight, then disposable might very well be the way to go.

Good luck
Drew

My response to the might as well(de, disp. replaceable, even stainless) is
might as well use it everyday..

Whether you are collecting fossils or landmines, or just walking around sleeping on the ground; why miss out on that most necessary of shaves. 3 or 4 days of little or no washing? Man that's a good shave then. Which is why I take a good razor that I enjoy using. I am no more likely to ruin it than any truly necessary thing i may have one me.

I don't shave w/o mirror very often but for some reason I close my eyes when I do. I like to carry a plastic one. towel wrapped around mirror and stone makes a nice package that protects the stone well.

The stone, eh, most of the time it is never needed but i lug it anyway. I am nver gone so long to hardly dull my knife either. Aftershave and lotion i can do w/o.