What EXACTLY do you need?

[mindpurge]

Alrighty,


Every year I take a few weeks off EVERYTHING and through a dart at a section of map, head out into the Canadian Wilderness for that location. Usually take me 3 weeks or so, of wilderness ultra-light backpacking, alone. It's peaceful and really gives you a chance to practice almost any bushcraft you've learned throughout the year.

Now, I always stay clean, bathe in crystal clean lakes and rivers, shave every morning by my camp fire with a small mirror, hot lather and DE Razor.

Now I want to bring a Straight with me on this years trek, but I need to be somewhat minimal... in other words, what I need exactly to maintain the edge on my straight.

In terms of strops... I don't want any fancy numbers, but just the minimum I need... One oiled and one with the paste?

I really don't know, since I'm very new to Straight Razors, I only have 1 and it needs to get buffed up and sharpened before I head out. I'll probably ask someone on these boards (honemeistre) for this.

Basically, if I want to go out with the minimum, but not cheapskate my way, what exactly do I need for straight razor shaving?

(Aside for the lather, brush and bowl).


Thanks,



MP

 

[kg4ghn]

I would say a leather strop with paste on the back would be the minimum. You would be fine with that as long as you didn't drop your razor and put a chip in the edge or anything crazy like that.

 

[Luc]

3 weeks = ~21 shaves

1 straight and a leather strop with paste on the back (+1 to Mike)

or

2 straights and plain leather strop

 

[mindpurge]

So for the everyday straight razor shaver, how many strops would you use, and what kind?

2 stops? 1 with paste, and 1 without?

Or just 1 with paste? (what color paste?)

 

[FiveOhNine]

If it were me carrying - I'd bring a small brush, a strop, a shave stick and a few recently honed razors. That should easily get you through 3 weeks.

Edit: For the strop, I'd just bring a standard cotton/leather combo. Nothing special,and I wouldn't bother with pastes unless you are significantly dulling your razors after just a few shaves.

 

[ouch]

Three weeks? I'd need a trailer.

 

[Redhead]

I don't know what anyone else really needs. My house is currently being worked on and we've put much of our personal belongings in storage. I'm enjoying "getting by" with only a 5/8 extra hollow W&B, my vintage sanitary select russian leather strop with Irish Linen and my double sided vintage salmon Coticule. I'm such an unfortunate fellow!

Red

 

[kg4ghn]

So for the everyday straight razor shaver, how many strops would you use, and what kind?

2 stops? 1 with paste, and 1 without?

Or just 1 with paste? (what color paste?)

1 Strop, no paste on smooth side, chromox on other side. A whole lot like the filly comes from ruprazor.

 

[Luc]

So for the everyday straight razor shaver, how many strops would you use, and what kind?

2 stops? 1 with paste, and 1 without?

Or just 1 with paste? (what color paste?)

My everyday strop is a canvas/leather strop. No pastes.

30 laps on canvas, 60 on leather.

 

[kg4ghn]

My everyday strop is a canvas/leather strop. No pastes.

30 laps on canvas, 60 on leather.

Ah now yes my everyday strop is an SRD english bridle.

I do 25 fabric, ~50 leather

 

[Freedom]

Seems to be wandering slightly off topic, if your bush crafting your probably only shaving 2-3 times a week max so the most basic strop will do like a filly (the problem is keeping it dry and not bending it too much).

One razor is fine may be a second in case you drop it.

A Brush, A Soap or small cream, A Mug, Alum bar(you want to test the mug and brush relationship before you go to find something that lathers okay; and take a soap/cream that won't spoil the flavor of your tea, also nothing too sweet I had a wasp that wouldn't leave me alone the other day "Penhaligons Endymion").

Job Done, your biggest problem will be the heating and sterilizing so much extra water if you want to shave a lot, hence why most explorers have beards

 

[RetroGrouch]

I'd just take one razor and one strop (maybe pasted on one side). Should suffice for three weeks.

But if you're new to straights... hmmm... Maybe pack a Tech or equivalent just in case you wreck the straight's edge?

Mike

 

[California Cajun]

I think I would do a test straight shave before your trip to see if you think this is the right time to start shaving this way.

I'm about a month into this odyssey (straight razor shaving) and I can't tell you why the same strokes that shredded my face now seem to be working.

In my experience, I couldn't confine the learning curve to a certain time frame no matter how much I practice. In fact, most of the injuries came toward the end of the shave when I still had stubble but my face couldn't take any more that day. Two days ago I wondered if I needed to buy another brand razor "more suited" to my face. Then it clicked. I may have relapses now that I have built confidence.

This is a tough nut to crack. But that's what makes the eventual victory worthwhile.

I think I'd wait until after the trip to start with the straight. You'll be ready for next year's trip.

 

[garyg]

Wow, back in the day I went backpacking to avoid shaving (amongst other objectives). Used to cut the labels off the underwear to save weight, snap the toothrush handle in half & then drill it .. and never took a razor on 10 day or so trips, the Smokies, the Wind River Range , Cascades ..

So now I am sitting here thinking that I would need to shave, but my scuttle weighs as much as me old single tent, the extra gas to heat the water .. good post

On further reflection, I'd forgo the kit but have a great shave upon my exit ..

 

[treydampier]

I did a thread in the honing section on needs that may I may have removed.
IMO, you need a shave ready razor, a barber's hone (if you want to maintain it yourself barring any damage to the edge), a strop with the cloth side pasted and the other side of the cloth clean and leather.
You can get by without the clean cloth side, but I like to have both especially since many new strops are made with chicago screws that make temporary reversal fairly simple.

 

[Klarion]

Just three weeks?

Fabric and leather strop
1 Straight razor
Shaving soap/stick
Shaving brush - no bowl needed, just face lather

 

[Go West Young Man]

Yup, I would go mountain man style and enjoy a really nice shave after 3 weeks of growing a beard.

 

[SliceOfLife]

Alrighty,


Every year I take a few weeks off EVERYTHING and through a dart at a section of map, head out into the Canadian Wilderness for that location. Usually take me 3 weeks or so, of wilderness ultra-light backpacking, alone. It's peaceful and really gives you a chance to practice almost any bushcraft you've learned throughout the year.

Now, I always stay clean, bathe in crystal clean lakes and rivers, shave every morning by my camp fire with a small mirror, hot lather and DE Razor.

Now I want to bring a Straight with me on this years trek, but I need to be somewhat minimal... in other words, what I need exactly to maintain the edge on my straight.

In terms of strops... I don't want any fancy numbers, but just the minimum I need... One oiled and one with the paste?

I really don't know, since I'm very new to Straight Razors, I only have 1 and it needs to get buffed up and sharpened before I head out. I'll probably ask someone on these boards (honemeistre) for this.

Basically, if I want to go out with the minimum, but not cheapskate my way, what exactly do I need for straight razor shaving?

(Aside for the lather, brush and bowl).


Thanks,



MP

For three weeks you need a shave ready razor and a leather strop. That's all. You'll have to do a lot of passes on the strop (50-80 I'd guess, but it varies widely depending on razor and strop material) without a canvas, but it will work fine.

 

[jtrops]

I've been thinking about this question for the past couple of days, and this is what I came up with. Keep in mind that this comes from years of packing, and knowing that we make concessions when on the trail.

How about a small balsa paddle strop maybe 10 inches long with ChromOx on one side, and clean on the other? It should be fairly lightweight, and easy to care for. You could also go with a paddle with leather on one side and balsa/chromox on the other. If you set out with a shave ready razor this setup should get you through a month without having to hit a hone. It will require more passes than a standard long and wide strop, but you won't have to hang it, or worry about bending it and ruining it. You could make one that would go nicely in a ziplock bag.

I think I'm going to try this out and see how it works. I like tinkering, and I have some balsa, and leather from Handamerican sitting around.