View Full Version : Shaving On The Trail
Ok, this is going to get a few sneers, but I say bring them on. I can't do the Grizzly Adams thing. More than a 4 day growth drives me batty, and distracts me non stop. Blame 6 years in the service.
That being said, it seems like a normal razor would require both a mirror, and shaving cream or soap. For most hikes that doesn't present a problem, but I'm going light to an extreme on this one. Electrics are bulky and could break. Does anybody but me bother to shave while out on the trail? If so, what are your tricks? I know I'll usually be in town at least once a week, but...well this is just one of my quirks.
-Smalls
From day 4 - 6 may be a bother with the growth, but after that the itchy feeling stops as the hairs get longer.
If you are going to shave, make sure you clean your face well before and after. Hygiene is important to keep from getting infected hairs, etc... This is one reason most just forgo shaving.
Alcohol pre-pads work great for after shave, and don't leave a scent that would attract bugs. Also helps with the hygiene after scraping your face.
Ironbelly
01-03-2011, 07:10
I also like to shave every 4-7 days. This is what I do and I have no issues at all. If Iin town I will pick up a single disposable razor, these can normally be found at gas stations etc. I fill my snowpeak 700 with about a cup of water. I then use my Dr. bonners soap to lather up(dr.b works very good and is a multipurpose item). Then I shave and use my cup to rinse. Dr. B is biodegradeable which is nice.
If not using soap is your thing, then you can also pick up a little travel sized shaving cream, they are usually right next to the razors.
Remember not to shave in a water source, just because the soap is biodegradable doesn't mean it is good for the water.
Sometimes I will carry a razor on the trail with me, just depends on if I was able to buy a single or a 3 pack.
LoneRidgeRunner
01-03-2011, 08:14
Ok, this is going to get a few sneers, but I say bring them on. I can't do the Grizzly Adams thing. More than a 4 day growth drives me batty, and distracts me non stop. Blame 6 years in the service.
That being said, it seems like a normal razor would require both a mirror, and shaving cream or soap. For most hikes that doesn't present a problem, but I'm going light to an extreme on this one. Electrics are bulky and could break. Does anybody but me bother to shave while out on the trail? If so, what are your tricks? I know I'll usually be in town at least once a week, but...well this is just one of my quirks.
-Smalls
My thoughts are this. I don't shave regularly at home. (meaning not every day or even every other day) But after 4 days it starts to itch so then it's time to get it off. I will shave earlier though if I'm going somewhere and don't wanta look burly.
On the trail I will carry my Gillette Mach 3 because I can use the same blade for months so that eliminates needing to carry blades.
I never hike without a compass (a Suunto), which has the mirror. Yes the mirror is small but it just has to do. I heat water, soak a bandanna to wet my face and warm the whiskers. I never thought of the alcohol swap before but it seems like a good idea.
Tipi Walter
01-03-2011, 08:23
Sometimes on long trips I throw in a decent razor and dry shave by feel with no need for a mirror or even wetting the face. Midway thru you can bang the razor on something like a rock and clean it of hairs. No need for wetting the face or using soap or cream, etc.
Ironbelly
01-03-2011, 08:48
True you dont need soap or cream, and can make do dry shaving or just wetting the face. But since I carry Dr. B soap anyways for washing up, it just doubles as a great shaving cream/soap. It only take 2 or 3 drops and a little water. I also use the mirror on my compass if needed.
I guess it just comes down to personal preference.
garlic08
01-03-2011, 09:39
You can make your own lather with a small scrap of bar soap. Just wet your face and rub the bar directly on your skin. Works fine. I carry one or two plastic disposables. I took from and added to hiker boxes on the AT often. I met one shaver who said the single-bladed disposables work better (no clogging between blades), but I tried it and didn't like them.
LoneRidgeRunner
01-03-2011, 09:45
You can make your own lather with a small scrap of bar soap. Just wet your face and rub the bar directly on your skin. Works fine. I carry one or two plastic disposables. I took from and added to hiker boxes on the AT often. I met one shaver who said the single-bladed disposables work better (no clogging between blades), but I tried it and didn't like them.
I've tried those cheap disposable razors and it was like trying to shave with 40 grit sandpaper. It tore my face up.
LoneRidgeRunner
01-03-2011, 09:49
Sometimes on long trips I throw in a decent razor and dry shave by feel with no need for a mirror or even wetting the face. Midway thru you can bang the razor on something like a rock and clean it of hairs. No need for wetting the face or using soap or cream, etc.
You're definitely tougher than I am Tipi..I gotta wet my face..just gotta get it off before it freezes on there...
HiKen2011
01-03-2011, 09:50
I've tried those cheap disposable razors and it was like trying to shave with 40 grit sandpaper. It tore my face up.
Me to, i hate those things
FlyPaper
01-03-2011, 10:41
I've tried those cheap disposable razors and it was like trying to shave with 40 grit sandpaper. It tore my face up.
I find that almost any razor that is brand new out of the package does a good job without cutting my face. I've brought a razor on hikes, but so far never used it. Of course my hikes have only been up to 4 days and in that time the discomfort of facial hair has not quite exceeded the discomfort/effort of shaving.
JaxHiker
01-03-2011, 11:01
My daily razor is a 50s Gillette SuperSpeed double-edged. I love it. While I hadn't thought about shaving on the trail since I never have you might try what I got for Christmas. I've been wanting a travel razor that's more compact than my other DE razors. My in-laws bought me a very nice Merkur travel razor (http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Merkur-Travel-Safety-Razor-with-Bar_p_196.html). It breaks down into 3 pieces (2 handle sections and the head). I haven't weighed it but the case is maybe 1" x 1 1/4". It's very small. It's not cheap but Merkur makes good stuff. I love my 38C.
You might try shaving oil instead of soap. Something like this (http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Pacific-Shaving-Shave-Oil-12-Ounce_p_231.html).
Ironbelly
01-03-2011, 12:04
The whole idea behind using soap, is most hikers are already carrying a little bit to use to wash dishes and themselves. So using the soap you already have keeps from having to carry any additional items.
4eyedbuzzard
01-03-2011, 12:11
Try shaving oil. Comes in small one ounce bottles, you just use a few drops so the bottle lasts a really long time. They say 3 drops, I probably use 4 or 5. I use it when traveling all the time. Available at many fine drug stores ;), and of course, that place that starts with W and ends in T.
Tenderheart
01-03-2011, 13:23
A dermatologist friend of mine once made a revolutionary statement that changed the way I shave forever. "It is the water that softens the beard, not the soap". That was years ago, and I have not purchased a can of shaving cream since. If you must shave on the trail, get a light disposable razor and have at it. You can heat water or not and make sure you wet your beard thoroughly beforehand. My beard also itches after a few days, but in time this will pass, as others have said.
litefoot 2000
Does anybody but me bother to shave while out on the trail? If so, what are your tricks? I know I'll usually be in town at least once a week, but...well this is just one of my quirks.
-Smalls
I find I can shave with a little campsuds (which I have with me anyway) using a small piece of plastic mirror or even no mirror and a cheap, light, 6 for $3 type 2-blade disposable. This is not as UL as not shaving, but less than an ounce for everything. Experiment at home and you'll see. I plan on shaving every 2 or 3 days, because it just feels better to me.
Disposable Quatro razor - cut the handle in half or 3/4 off.
Mirror - Silva compass - second half is a mirror
Dr. Bronners.
I don't like doing the Grizzly Adams thing either. My beard can come in spotty(makes me look like a burn victim), it attacts dirt and grime, and it still itches well after two 1/2 weeks of growth. I buy a cheapy razor and shave dry or a small traveling kit every 2 -3 wks or so at a pharmacy or gocery store and go at it.
Clean you face first as Joe Cross recommends.
I'll vouch for the Mach III's lasting forever. If you shave 2-3 times a week it'll last a month.
I dry shave, but I don't think I could do it on the trail. I would think that the combination of higher facial oil and skin would quickly clog up the blades.
As far as the mirror thing, I see no need. The only tough spot would be the side burns. The rest is easily dealt with by feel.
Toolshed
01-03-2011, 19:34
I carry a Gillette mach 3 and a small can of shaving cream. Don't care about weight. I like the feel of a cleanly shaved face and the shaving cream smell that stays with me for an hour or two. Use a small Mirror . total is about 4 oz's, but It's a nice treat for me each morning. PS, the Mach 3 can last for months if you dry it after each use and keep the plastic cap on (I use a rubber band). You can sharpen it by pushing it against the hairs of your arm.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ADaRIqy0Dc
If you practice shaving in the shower you'll soon find that you don't really need a mirror.
I hate using a regular razor, I've used an electric for nearly all of my adult life save a couple deployments where an electric wasn't practical. I have a really skinny, angular face that makes hitting everything on my neck a real bugger. I did spot a trail mirror for a couple bucks at Gander Mountain today that should suffice. I guess I just need to try a few razors and maybe that shaving oil that somebody recommended and see how it goes.
I can definitely see infection becoming an issue. I am a bit of a clean freak on the trail compared to a lot of guys, I frequently do laundry (of sorts) on the trail, and I bathe as best I can at least every other day, but staph is still a real threat. Again, I'll have to condition my skin a bit before I head out to handle it a bit better.
Thanks for the advice guys, at least I know I'm not the only one who will be going beardless on the trail ;)
-Smalls
Trailbender
01-03-2011, 23:59
Good luck hitching. I found on my thru that a huge beard automatically identified you as a thru hiker and made getting rides much easier. My friend that shaved had a really hard time getting rides. If you gotta shave, do what I do now, get a battery powered trimmer, and shave without a guard. It gets a pretty close stubble, and is not as near a problem as a razor. My beard hair is so rough in the Army, I used up a Mach 3 blade a week. I either grow it out now, or just shave with a beard trimmer without a guard. Much cheaper and more efficient.
Trailbender, my beard is much the same. A Mach 3 with more than a 3 day growth is a round of torture as it yanks and pulls on my whiskers. I work from home right now, and your method is precisely how I shave now. My razor is just too heavy to bring on the trail. I have been browsing around, hoping to find a little travel size beard trimmer that will do the same as the clipper on my electric razor.
-Smalls
swjohnsey
01-04-2011, 08:59
I like to shave every day in the field. You will find it easier to shave if you do shave every day. All you need is a bar of soap and a disposable razor. Wash you face with soap, don't bother to rinse off bottom half. Shave, rinse. I use my signal mirror as a shaving mirror. If you are a weight weenie, you can get 'em in plastic.
Ive found that as long as i dont shave smooth that i dont have the problem of the itchy kicking in after a few days of growth. If i just leave it at stubble it never itches. Any solar powered beard trimmers out there?
You know, the whole "not shaving" is one of those things im actually looking forward to while on the trail, i really hate shaving and cant wait to not have to do it anymore. Though with as curly as my hair gets, ill probably have to trim the mustache a bit, i hate having hair grow into my mouth.
Fog Horn
01-04-2011, 17:14
I like to shave every day in the field. You will find it easier to shave if you do shave every day. All you need is a bar of soap and a disposable razor. Wash you face with soap, don't bother to rinse off bottom half. Shave, rinse. I use my signal mirror as a shaving mirror. If you are a weight weenie, you can get 'em in plastic.
This is absolutely true.
I'm sure for guys you want the option of changing up your facial hair every now and then, but I just thought I'd throw this out there since I've never seen it brought up on this forum: There is always the option of more permanent/ lasting forms of hair removal. I won't have to worry about shaving my legs on the trail because I have laser hair removal. Its expensive, but was worth it to me. There's also waxing, threading, nair (although on the trail you'll catch flak for washing this into the Earth, you could always do it on a town stop, and it is supposed to last a week to ten days).
Just thought I'd throw it out there, sorry if its not a useful thought.
kayak karl
01-04-2011, 17:16
just man up and get through it.
Or you can do the laser hair removal that all the girlies (well some at least) are doin'... :)
During the summer I just have a goatee, but, in the winter i grow in the beard. The first week it gets itchy but, after that it isn't bad at all. If you plan on having hostel or motel days, you could just shave then.