shaving on the trail...fer da boys

[rocketsocks]

shaving on the trail could never be easier.


Several months ago someone posted a thread about....shaving maybe? What caught my attention was a post where the fella said he had'd used shaving cream in years, preferring a dry shave...hmm. So, I tried it. I have not used shaving cream for about 5 months now, and more important haven't had to buy it. I get a real close shave just by wetting my face with warm water before every stroke...good by shave cream, good buy electric razor that always ate my money maker...and a big thank you to the brave man that came before me, likely a servicemen I'm sure, tough ol' birds.

[Lyle]

I haven't used shaving cream for daily shaving for 8 or 9 years now. Shower, dry. Within a few minutes, moisten face with water again and shave. If shaving when not showering first, a washcloth, wetted in hot tap water and left very wet, then held against the face for 45 seconds or a minute prepares the beard quite adequately. Ever had a barber shave - their trick.

Exception is when I've gone several days without shaving, then I use a shave gel.

One note, the razor is easier to clean/stays cleaner when the gel is used, the wiskers don't get stuck between the dual razor blades. Usually a good drenching with water, then a few taps on the rim of the wash basin cleans them out when they get stuck.

[PatmanTN]

I starting using Somersets shaving oil a few months ago and it seems to work better than anything else I've tried. Per directions only three drops is needed. This might be a good alternative to a dry shave when the whiskers are a bit long for such. For the UL minded this is suitably sized in a 15ml bottle which should yield about 90 shaves. http://www.somersetsusa.com/

I tried it a whim with no recommendations and it works as advertised.

[rocketsocks]

I haven't used shaving cream for daily shaving for 8 or 9 years now. Shower, dry. Within a few minutes, moisten face with water again and shave. If shaving when not showering first, a washcloth, wetted in hot tap water and left very wet, then held against the face for 45 seconds or a minute prepares the beard quite adequately. Ever had a barber shave - their trick.

Exception is when I've gone several days without shaving, then I use a shave gel.

One note, the razor is easier to clean/stays cleaner when the gel is used, the wiskers don't get stuck between the dual razor blades. Usually a good drenching with water, then a few taps on the rim of the wash basin cleans them out when they get stuck.

I starting using Somersets shaving oil a few months ago and it seems to work better than anything else I've tried. Per directions only three drops is needed. This might be a good alternative to a dry shave when the whiskers are a bit long for such. For the UL minded this is suitably sized in a 15ml bottle which should yield about 90 shaves. http://www.somersetsusa.com/

I tried it a whim with no recommendations and it works as advertised.

Well I'll give all those ideas a shot, and yes much easier I've found as well to shave everyday to keep it short, as letting it go is not only harder to shave it off when dry, but freakin' hurts to damn much. I always wondered how the soldiers in the old Army movies shaved outta their helmets, don't recall ever seeing any shave cream. Thinking about investing in the Old/New resurgence of single edge replaceable blade razors, had one of my Pops, but it broke. But I have plenty of blades for it.

[sympathetic joy]

I use a small amount of coconut oil to shave. Side benefit is it acts as a moisturizer as well.

[Firefighter503]

No go for me. I have to shave in the shower with the water as hot as it will get in order to not chew up my face, and use soap/body wash. No shave for me while hiking.

[Another Kevin]

Guys shave when they're out hiking? Who knew?

[rocketsocks]

Guys shave when they're out hiking? Who knew?

really...truth be told, goin a couple days dosen't usally bother me, and since that's pretty much been the extent of my treks...well you get it. But every now and again, I just gotta get that stuff off, feels dirty, especially around the soup hole.

[4shot]

No go for me. I have to shave in the shower with the water as hot as it will get in order to not chew up my face, and use soap/body wash. No shave for me while hiking.

+1. used to get shaving bumps like crazy. tried everything, including electric. finally put a little mirror in the shower and...problem solved. what's more, I can get by with the cheap disposable razors and the $1 per can shave cream. Even still I keep a very short beard to minimize the amount I have to shave. But I still shave most of my neck which was the very worst area in terms of irritation.

[ChuckT]

Was on a mixed hike, 100 miler and was told 2 shave! by a distaff member. Apparently I didn't grow a good looking beard. The upside is that I don't need to shave that often.

[Venchka]

Guys shave when they're out hiking? Who knew?

Yeah! Who knew? I thought not shaving and "going" in the woods were the reasons for backpacking. Hey!
On topic: I am trying out Neutrogena Shave Cream. A non-aerosol solution between nothing and squirt cans of foam or gels. It works for travel-takes up little space. It may replace my current #1 choice: Nivea.

Wayne

[perrymk]

I believe the purpose of shaving lotion is to soften the whiskers and also act as a skin conditioner. If one can keep the whiskers soft from hot water in the shower or with occasional moistening (if one shaves too slow or in a dry climate) then lotion shouldn't really be necessary. The purpose of a shaving brush (as I understand it) was to push in the lather and lift the whiskers. Sort of the difference between painting a wall with a brush versus a sprayer.

I use an old Gillette safety razor with the replaceable double edge blades. There are plenty of instructions online, including video, on how to use these. I like it for two reasons. One I like US made products. Granted most razors are now made in India or China, there are a few preybay sellers refurbishing old US made Gillettes and other brands. Second thing I like is it costs much less to purchase double edge blades than the cartridge blades, although I now have to order them online as my local grocery store no longer carries them. I suppose an electric razor or straight edge might cost less, but this is what I remember my dad using when I was a puppy so maybe the nostalgia factors in third.

Something to keep in mind is that 4 hours after one shaves, it doesn't matter how close it was. If one really needs the close shave the trick is to shave twice, or keep a cartridge shaver for those occasions.

I bought a variety pack of blades initially to try different brands but have settled on a good made in USA brand. As I recall the Russian made blades were the worst, Chinese not much better, a Japanese had the best, and Israel and US had good. I'm sure there are different brands with different quality from all countries; I only tried what came in my variety pack. I now use Personna Double Edge Razor Blades.

EDIT: I'v enot been on a long enough trip that shaving was a concern, but in 2020 when I plan my thru hike for I anticipate using a battery operated electric, the same I use when traveling by plane with only a carry on. Or I'll just shave once or twice per week in town with a disposable. I'm just not a hairy face guy.

[Damn Yankee]

Back in the early 80's when I joined the military we were using the old helmets or steel pots as they were affectionately called. The thing that was great about these helmets was that you could separate the Kevlar liner from the steel outer shell and use the steel outer shell for personal hygiene (IE: brushing teeth, washing up and shaving) todays Army uses a Kevlar helmet and field hygiene is not possible with these. They now have to have shower trailers in order to do so which also means the use of large water bladders for both potable water and black water(dirty water)Although the new helmets are much better for protection, the older helmets would serve dual purposes. I also found over the years that shaving with cold water lift the hair on the face which allows for a much closer shave, hence less shaving.

[Bog Balls]

We ARE talking about shaving one's FACE..... correct?

[Lone Wolf]

why would anyone shave on the trail?

[Rolls Kanardly]

We ARE talking about shaving one's FACE..... correct?

I think so, otherwise you would only need to shave one day. (naked hikers day) Rolls

[rocketsocks]

We ARE talking about shaving one's FACE..... correct?

SYOA yellow moon man.png

why would anyone shave on the trail?

Don't you feel better after a nice shave...wait Lone wolf, is that you?

....never mind, prolly had a beard at berth.

[sympathetic joy]

why would anyone shave on the trail?

I don't know about on the physical trail itself, but keeping your hair closely cropped and face shaved makes finding ticks easier.

[Lone Wolf]

I don't know about on the physical trail itself, but keeping your hair closely cropped and face shaved makes finding ticks easier.

i had long hair and a beard for 16,000 miles of walkin'. never had ticks

[Old Grouse]

I don't know about on the physical trail itself, but keeping your hair closely cropped and face shaved makes finding ticks easier.

What do you people do, roll around in the grass? I've never had a tick on my head or face. Once in an armpit, once on my leg, but most always arond my beltline, and nowhere I've ever needed to shave.

BTW, my wife and I share Kiss My Face shave cream in a pump bottle. We get it at Whole Foods, but I'm sure its elsewhere as well.