I have been wet shaving for a few months now. It has become something i enjoy doing now. However since i started we have not gone to the field since in in the Army. I have a dilemma, Do i go back to my fusion and head slick (what i used prior to DE shaving) or my DE razor and head slick. Reason i ask this is head slick is my only other shave "cream" i have besides my WET shaving TOBS. Or do you suggest getting a can of foam for use in field with DE? I don't feel id have the time to make lather and continue my routine as i do out of the field. Also would it mess up my face going back to cartridge shaving for duration I'm in the field? Thanks for all your advice.
Army field shaving.
- Thread starter armysoldier1073
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I've never tried Headslick (never seen it), but there are a few latherless shaving creams that are fairly well regarded around here. Personnally, I usually use Lucky Tiger and a twin blade when I don't have time for the full routine. I've also heard good things about Cremo Cream and Barbasol in the yellow can (assuming you don't have allergies to lanolin.)
Incidentally, I don't know if portability of your DE is an issue, but some of the best shaves I've ever had were from a vintage open comb travel razor.
Re: Going back to carts - Whether or not they would mess up your face depends on why you switched to begin with. Some guys find they get more irritation from cartridges, others don't. Many also find that applying their improved shaving technique to their cartridge shave results in better shaves than they used to get before they made the switch.
Incidentally, I don't know if portability of your DE is an issue, but some of the best shaves I've ever had were from a vintage open comb travel razor.
Re: Going back to carts - Whether or not they would mess up your face depends on why you switched to begin with. Some guys find they get more irritation from cartridges, others don't. Many also find that applying their improved shaving technique to their cartridge shave results in better shaves than they used to get before they made the switch.
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When I went on a two week long mission recently and still used the full wet shaving system. It didn't work out too well. I would recommend using a multi-blade cartridge or an electric razor. All the dirt, dust, grime, etc. really mess the process up. As for the cream, I would recommend something really light since you more-than-likely won't have the water pressure to rinse out your blade well. Barbosol or proraso canned stuff will work fine for the duration of your field time. Also, bugs LOVE aftershave. Use witch hazel or nothing.
-Ben
-Ben
Reality shaving! Love it!
Thanks for your service!
Thanks for your service!
Go with what ever is easier/lighter for you. Back in the early 80's when I was using DE and a can of shaving cream, it wasn't any problem. When I switched to cartridge, same thing. We used the steel pot of the helmet and used it to hold water for shaving but when we switched to the kevlar helmets we had to bring tupperware containers for shaving and bathing. Tried electric a few times but didn't get a good shave and having electric wasn't always an option. If I had to do it again, I'd take my DE and a can of shaving cream. I spent a lot of time in sand boxes and I think my shaving soap, no matter what container it would be in, would collect a lot of dirt, dust, and sand. Oh, and Avon skin so soft was a favorite skin softener and insect repellant. Also helped the camo go on easier and come off easier. 
I go with a cartridge or disposable in the field. You won’t have the time plus all the dirt and grime.
An Electric will work until the batteries go dead because it got bump on when you set your rucksack down and didn’t hear it. If you’re on generator with a cord go for it. I was light Infantry most of the time Cartages were light and easy to clean.
An Electric will work until the batteries go dead because it got bump on when you set your rucksack down and didn’t hear it. If you’re on generator with a cord go for it. I was light Infantry most of the time Cartages were light and easy to clean.
Use a cream that comes in a tube for easy use -- can be applied directly or lathered in a cup. Take your brush and a coffee mug. You can easily carry your stuff (brush and razor) in the cup to the water source, and use the cup to lather up your cream a bit.
I'd do one pass in the field with a DE safety razor, and not worry about 3 passes or baby smooth.
I'd do one pass in the field with a DE safety razor, and not worry about 3 passes or baby smooth.
I head shave, have for years. When traveling and not checking bags, camping or running late but have to shave - I rely on my trusty Gillette Sensor and Cremo Cream. I like head slick but IMHO the Cremo is a little slicker and the tube packs easier.
My suggestion would be an electric. Most electric razors nowadays have a button lock on them to keep it from powering on so that shouldn’t be too much of an issue. I spent 11 months rolling and walking around Afghanistan and used an electric the whole time. I've also been to Iraq a couple times, Jordan, Kuwait etc etc and have always used and electric. Never an issue other than generally sub-par shaves. Not bad shaves, just not great.
As others have stated I wouldn’t bring soap because it's hard to keep clean and difficult to lather in the field. Building a decent lather and keeping it all clean will be your biggest issue out there. Hard water, water pressure and time are all barriers out there. Also if you take a DE, what are you going to do with the used blades?
If you don’t have an electric razor I would go with the simplest setup possible; Barbasol or another light cream that won't require lathering, and disposable razors. As stated above if you apply the skills you've learned wet shaving to your cart/disposable shave routine, your face should survive. If not, then hey we all joined at least in part because we wanted some adventure and challenge right?
As others have stated I wouldn’t bring soap because it's hard to keep clean and difficult to lather in the field. Building a decent lather and keeping it all clean will be your biggest issue out there. Hard water, water pressure and time are all barriers out there. Also if you take a DE, what are you going to do with the used blades?
If you don’t have an electric razor I would go with the simplest setup possible; Barbasol or another light cream that won't require lathering, and disposable razors. As stated above if you apply the skills you've learned wet shaving to your cart/disposable shave routine, your face should survive. If not, then hey we all joined at least in part because we wanted some adventure and challenge right?
If your skin doesn't freak out with a cold water shave, you could do what I do--
-cut off a stub of Arko shave stick (you could use cream in a tube or canned goo--I have a small can for the purpose) and keep it in a snack-sized sandwich baggie, which will be very, well, soapy after about four days.
-small size Omega shave brush (cup the stub in your palm, wet brush in opposite hand),
-Weishi or other mild (forgiving) throwaway razor.
-I put these in the little zip-up container eye protection (ESS or whatever they give you in RFI or CIF now--they have MOLLE type straps with snaps but I just put it in the side pocket of the ACU ruck) with a few extra blades.
-Bring a few disposables in that ruck, too, in case you're in a big hurry.
-If there's any room in that eye pro case, decant AS splash of choice into a cleaned-out hand sanitizer bottle (medics usually have several of the tiny size--I decant a splash occasionally for travel but haven't done it in a truly austere setting).
This doubles as my 'travel kit.'
However, you may not want to go to all that trouble. Years ago, I used the $9 AA battery powered electric from Uniform Clothing Sales; this is much simpler.
-cut off a stub of Arko shave stick (you could use cream in a tube or canned goo--I have a small can for the purpose) and keep it in a snack-sized sandwich baggie, which will be very, well, soapy after about four days.
-small size Omega shave brush (cup the stub in your palm, wet brush in opposite hand),
-Weishi or other mild (forgiving) throwaway razor.
-I put these in the little zip-up container eye protection (ESS or whatever they give you in RFI or CIF now--they have MOLLE type straps with snaps but I just put it in the side pocket of the ACU ruck) with a few extra blades.
-Bring a few disposables in that ruck, too, in case you're in a big hurry.
-If there's any room in that eye pro case, decant AS splash of choice into a cleaned-out hand sanitizer bottle (medics usually have several of the tiny size--I decant a splash occasionally for travel but haven't done it in a truly austere setting).
This doubles as my 'travel kit.'
However, you may not want to go to all that trouble. Years ago, I used the $9 AA battery powered electric from Uniform Clothing Sales; this is much simpler.
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I like your idea of using the eye pro cases. I've got a bunch of them laying around and have never really had a use for them
It's interesting to recall that Gillette DE razors & blades consolidated their place in the market when the U.S. military supplied them to our troops in WW I. It would also be interesting to compare the field experiences then and now, together with the shaving options.
+1 on Aristero's suggestions.
+1 on Aristero's suggestions.
If I do one pass WTG, I can shave about as quickly and easily with a DE razor as I do with a disposable.
After using Cremo Cream a couple of times, and being a Scoutmaster that makes a point to shave "In the field" when I'm camping, I would highly recommend it. If you can get your hand on water, you can have a decent shave.
My personal choice is a Gillette tech, Cremo and a towel. It's the way I'd go !
My personal choice is a Gillette tech, Cremo and a towel. It's the way I'd go !
I have a battery powered electric made by Braun. Its a mobileshave M-60. It takes AA's. It was right around $20 from the local super store. Doesn't shave anywhere near as close as my DE setup but in the field I don't really care as much. It shaves close enough not to draw any attention to myself. It has a built in cover that when you flip it closed the on button gets locked out.
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- #17
thank you guys for your help. Ill go to our lil px today and see what i can find.
If you're living exclusively out of a ruck, I can see going that austerely, and I did too when I was light, but I didn't start wet shaving until I could live well.
Back then I used a cart with Dr Bronner's Castile soaps. I was slick enough and cleaned up easier than canned goo. The upside to those soaps are they're good for everything, body, shampoo, laundry. Sometimes I'd dry shave, but that was rarely good for the skin or appearance. Back when, I had one canteen cup for eating, one for cleaning, but it's not like anyone's really running 1 Qts these days. We always had enough water tho shave with. I also did the Braun AA electric and hated it. I've always hated electrics.
I don't see why you couldn't run a at least a DE setup. It would only be harder from the standpoint of shaving, then storing the blade without cutting up your kit. I haven't used oils, or Cremo, or the like, but it'd be worth a shot to me. And a small synthetic brush too. I've got a synth and I love it.
Back then I used a cart with Dr Bronner's Castile soaps. I was slick enough and cleaned up easier than canned goo. The upside to those soaps are they're good for everything, body, shampoo, laundry. Sometimes I'd dry shave, but that was rarely good for the skin or appearance. Back when, I had one canteen cup for eating, one for cleaning, but it's not like anyone's really running 1 Qts these days. We always had enough water tho shave with. I also did the Braun AA electric and hated it. I've always hated electrics.
I don't see why you couldn't run a at least a DE setup. It would only be harder from the standpoint of shaving, then storing the blade without cutting up your kit. I haven't used oils, or Cremo, or the like, but it'd be worth a shot to me. And a small synthetic brush too. I've got a synth and I love it.
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Don't forget a blade bank/case for your used or new blades if you go DE! I like the idea of something like Creamo (Thinking of trying it soon), small and slick with a DE. Cartridges chew my face up so I wouldn't bother with those. Or maybe an antique shave kit from the war; travel razor, blade case, and a shave stick?
When I was out in the field for AT in July, I used the following: Gillette Slim, TBS Maca Root cream, Personna Labs, a small travel bottle of witch hazel, and Barbon AS (for when I got back to the rear.) TBS lathers up just fine without a brush and I got my shaves done in about 5 minutes. I didn't have excellent shaves, but it kept my 1SG off my back.
