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That damn Goo

So there I was last week camping in the woods by invitation of Uncle Sam, I wasn't able to bring my normal shaving soap/brush with me. I did however bring my favorite razor, my '40s SS loaded with a derby blade. I brought a can of Goo (Edge) instead.

Now i don't mine shaving on the hood of a truck or even in the rain. but that damn goo. It really doesn't like to used in cold water and doesn't rinse off your face with out a struggle. Try cleaning a razor in a canteen cup with that GOO floating around in it.

Got 3 shaves out of that poor blade.

I am glad I found how the simplicity of a DE razor and a puck of soap can make my life, even in the woods, a bit more pleasurable. now i just need to find a good cheap brush and sturdy bowl. (and too convince my wife i need more shaving stuff.)
 
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I feel you about the goo and cold water. When going out on a field exercise in the winter, I brought along a tiny camp stove to brew some tea with. I realized quite quickly that I could heat up some water in the morning while I brushed my teeth and used some baby wipes. That warm water to shave with made all the difference some mornings. I'd also recommend getting some more creamy stuff to shave with next time you go out to the field, maybe barbasol. It's been my experience that it's a bit easier to deal with.
 
Let me preface this comment with this: I'm a backpacker, not a "camper"------those of you who backpack know the difference.

When you are spending a week in the wilderness/mountains using only what's in your pack and in your head for survival, you leave everything at home that isn't absolutely necessary. That includes luxuries like shaving tools, etc. Not only does it take up very valuable space in your pack, it adds unwanted weight. If you don't know how important weight-savings is to SERIOUS backpackers, consider that there are some guys (I know one particularly well:wink2: )who will cut off all unneeded tags, extra cord length, extra strap length on packs, etc. just to shave down the weight you are toting through the mountains! When you consider that you are toting that weight with every step, it starts to add up quickly!

The other issue is environmental. No one likes to be in a pristine wilderness environment and see a big glob of soap scum floating along a mountain lake shore that you are filtering drinking water out of!

I like shaving and using all my cool gear as much as anyone else on here, but when I head out for a week on the trail, anything that's not TRULY needed for survival stays home. Believe it or not, you WILL survive without shaving for a week! The environment, as well as fellow backpackers will appreciate it.
 
Let me preface this comment with this: I'm a backpacker, not a "camper"------those of you who backpack know the difference.

When you are spending a week in the wilderness/mountains using only what's in your pack and in your head for survival, you leave everything at home that isn't absolutely necessary. That includes luxuries like shaving tools, etc. Not only does it take up very valuable space in your pack, it adds unwanted weight. If you don't know how important weight-savings is to SERIOUS backpackers, consider that there are some guys (I know one particularly well:wink2: )who will cut off all unneeded tags, extra cord length, extra strap length on packs, etc. just to shave down the weight you are toting through the mountains! When you consider that you are toting that weight with every step, it starts to add up quickly!

The other issue is environmental. No one likes to be in a pristine wilderness environment and see a big glob of soap scum floating along a mountain lake shore that you are filtering drinking water out of!

I like shaving and using all my cool gear as much as anyone else on here, but when I head out for a week on the trail, anything that's not TRULY needed for survival stays home. Believe it or not, you WILL survive without shaving for a week! The environment, as well as fellow backpackers will appreciate it.

I'm a backpacker myself (though not as much anymore as when I was in Scouts). I'm a big, out of shape fellow, but I make up by being good at packing light (you could carry my average backpack for a weekend down the trail on one hand). The OP's gripe (goo) would be kind of irrelevant there--goo would be significantly heavier than soap or even cream (since it's got much more water). Personally, I'd take a small piece of soap or sample-size tub of cream & face-lather, if anything. A plastic-handled brush wouldn't add much weight at all (maybe the Shea Moisture brush from Target? Probably wouldn't want to bring anything expensive, just in case), and the savings in water weight would be enormous. A metal razor would be pretty bad, but if you got a plastic DE you'd probably do OK.

As for environmental concerns...yes, dumping soap into pristine wilderness isn't ideal. But shaving soap probably isn't much worse than body soap, though finding both body- and shave soap that's biodegradable is probably the best solution on all counts. I'd hate to backpack with you for a week if you're not bringing body soap. :tongue_sm

Yes, you can survive a week without shaving. I've done it myself (my trip to the Wind River range--I came back quite scraggly). But if you need to shave (hiking with SWMBO, for instance), then there are solutions.
 
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Do a search on 'brushless creams', there are dozens if not hundreds of high quality creams designed to be applied by hand that will give almost as good a shave as your lathering creams. There's no need to resort to Edge gel!
 
Shaving in the field isn't much fun. I've taken brush, soap and razor to a month-long op a couple of times, and although I managed good shaves without excess pain, it just wasn't enjoyable. Since then I've switched to an electric razor in the field, and some disposable Bics with goo in case I go a couple weeks without seeing an outlet.

Goo is mostly for the ease of packing. Without a beard prep, brushless creams don't really make that much difference for me.
 
Goo is mostly for the ease of packing. Without a beard prep, brushless creams don't really make that much difference for me.

Couldn't you just use the cream + hot, wet towel, like mantic describes here?
[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwIP9K2VKXY[/YOUTUBE]
You could just boil some water over a camp stove or fire, considering you're going to need hot water to shave anyway.

ED: just realized I could've just said "Kyle's prep". Wow, I'm a noob. :laugh:
 
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