Shaving while camping [Archive]

smackey

08-10-2010, 07:52 AM

Being a manly man I like to go camping whenever I get the opportunity. I definitely love a good shave (almost) everyday. There seems to be two schools of thought when it comes to roughing it in the outdoors and shaving.

1. You're camping shave when you get back to civilization. 2. Who cares where you are, SHAVE!

Last week I went camping with a buddy who's also into wet shaving/DE blades etc. He didn't bring his shaving gear and I brought mine (I'm glad I did!).

I must say that even while camping you can really get a great shave. It's all about replicating the things you need to get a good shave at home. Hot water, a brush, bowl (a metal and enamel coleman camping bowl), maybe pre-shave oil (If you're into it), a good cream or soap, a DE razor (I use the merkur slant), and a nice blade (I used a derby extra for this outing). You'll need a mirror too, I've used the side mirror on my truck or a mirror on a string.

Firstly I boiled some water in a large pot over the campfire. I then scooped up the water in a metal mug threw in a couple of ice cubes from the cooler and then used a clean facecloth to get the hot water water onto my face. I scooped up some boiling water into my coleman camp bowl in order to heat it up. After emptying the water from the bowl, and applying some pre-shave oil to my face, I then began to make a lather using my brush and some proraso in the scolding hot bowl. Lathering up with this hot mixture felt especially good in the mid 50s F morning air. For a mirror I hung a small mirror on a string from a tree limb. After an especially enjoyable shave (minus a few insults from my companions) I rinsed with the water that remained in my mug and applied some moisturizer with a little spf 15.
All in all it was a most excellent shave and my friend, green with envy, vowed to bring his shaving gear next time he went camping.

Does anyone else shave while camping, have a similar story, or is opposed to it in general?

bossdog79

08-10-2010, 08:26 AM

Glad to hear you got a good shave while in the great outdoors. personaly, I don't shave when camping, and at the deer camp I go to in the fall it's the quickest way to get pranked at night.

BladeRunner001

08-10-2010, 08:36 AM

Man...that sounds like fun :wink2:.

Squash

08-10-2010, 08:59 AM

I would make it much simpler, and try to spend my energy enjoying the things that are not at home.

Defend Tacoma

08-10-2010, 09:34 AM

Haven't tried shaving while camping yet. I'll definitely be bringing my kit next time i go though! :biggrin1:

tripper

08-10-2010, 09:48 AM

shaving gear isnt worth humping in a gear sack

besides, im camping. if anything the stubble keeps me warm at night. and any nicks/irritation can cause problems if you get stream water around it later in the day. my friend got a fungal infection from this.

Darth Indiana

08-10-2010, 10:02 AM

don't shave in the woods myself. besides i do most of my camping in the fall and spring, when i wear a beard for insulation.

MikekiM

08-10-2010, 10:06 AM

I was on vacation last week.. We weren't camping, but we were staying at a beach house that inspired me to vacate the bathroom and shave outside at sunrise....

I've shaved out on my back yard deck four times since coming home and I love it!!

I warmed some water in a large basin, sat a mirror on the railing, hand lathered and had at it with a Mergress XL loaded with a fresh Derby.

Shave wise it was about the same as had I confined myself to the bathroom until the final rinse which was a wash cloth saturated with Poland Spring from the cooler...

http://www.emotion-images.com/img/s10/v18/p269021380-4.jpg

asmaan

08-10-2010, 10:17 AM

Depending of the duration, but generally no shaving.

jdudley76

08-10-2010, 10:24 AM

skembomatt

08-10-2010, 10:55 AM

Last time I shaved in the outdoors it was in a LPOP with my battle buddy and it was a dry shave with water from a canteen. I think your experience sounds better. :wink2:
I did shave while camping when when I was a scout leader and it's nice.

fleabeard

08-10-2010, 12:24 PM

I'm an active leader with my son's Boy Scout Troop and I go camping with them every chance that I get. As a general rule, if we're just going for the weekend I'll shave before I go and wait until I get home to shave again. If we're going for more than a few days, I'll pack my Tech, some cream and a small boar brush, but still only shave when it starts to get scratchy.

solar

08-10-2010, 07:14 PM

If its hunting/camping, I dislike the growth but don't bother with the shaving since I can never get the right feel I like at home.

If its far from home, and that can be more than "camping", I almost insist on bringing shave kit to a zone because it reinforces to me, that my circumstances do not dominate me. Think of John Cleese in The Meaning of Life as the British Army officer shaving in the middle of a Zulu attack and tut-tutting when a spear breaks his shaving mirror. You can refuse to let the situation control you, and bring a modified shave den to the forest if you like....

Uncle Erik

08-10-2010, 10:07 PM

I haven't been camping for awhile, but I always made a point of not shaving. It's part of roughing it for me. Besides, a shave after a bit of growth is something I enjoy.

wilsonent

08-10-2010, 10:49 PM

Well, you may not call it camping, but I spent last week with my wife in a local campground in our travel trailer. Took along my Gillette travel razor, Godrej shave round which I used as a shave stick, Feather blade, followed by a splash of Ogallala Double Strength. Used by C & E BBB which I stored in a pill bottle with holes in the top. I know, you backpackers and tent campers may say "That ain't camping dude" Well, that may be luxury camping, but I was going back and forth to work during the day, and camping out at night. Nice way to break up the workaday week. In any event, when I have backpacked in the past, I did not bother with shaving, but that was before I started wetshaving. I believe I could take along a light enough kit to make it feasible. I say good for you.

Jeff

Gerald_G

08-10-2010, 10:56 PM

Never when backpacking, and ounces count. Usually not for long weekend trips etc. Only for 7 day or longer trips where I'm camping in a campground with sinks and mirrors.

Brownbear

08-10-2010, 11:35 PM

Not when backpacking, but when car camping, yes. Much as you describe, although my last trip I took a black badger restore brush, an open comb new on a Bob's aluminum handle and a tube of Erasmic. Boil up a billy of water in the morning, pour it in the dish pan to wash face and shave away. The outside car mirror works fine. Good start to the morning.

BlackAngus

08-11-2010, 12:15 AM

Last week I went camping...<snip!>...Lathering up with this hot mixture felt especially good in the mid 50s F morning air.

Pardon my curiosity, but where were you camping in the first week of August that it was fifty degrees? Because I would go there now...:w00t:

skembomatt

08-14-2010, 10:46 AM

+1! I'm with you 50F? I would be there in a hot min!

Shave Cave Dweller

08-14-2010, 10:51 AM

I always shave when camping however I must say my home away from home includes a flat panel TV, AC and a Microwave..... 31 footer.... :laugh:

Saturn

08-14-2010, 11:09 AM

I was on vacation last week.. We weren't camping, but we were staying at a beach house that inspired me to vacate the bathroom and shave outside at sunrise....

...

What's the razor shown in the photo?

firehydrant

08-14-2010, 09:51 PM

I camp light.

The razor stays home.

mskembo

08-16-2010, 07:42 AM

+1! I'm with you 50F? I would be there in a hot min!

+2 It has to be Alaska, or Canada... I am jealous right now. Is it a sin to covet someones' climate?:blushing:

I don't shave when camping, especially hunting. Although the C.O. Bigelow would really put my scent-a-way to the test!:lol::lol::lol:

Mike

blackfoot

08-16-2010, 07:59 AM

The last couple of camping trip I've been on did not have a vehicle nearby. I took shaving supplies on the one just to say I did it. But, when everything has to fit in a kayak, space is a premium. I usually just shave when I get home.

galopede

08-16-2010, 09:46 AM

I only camp when my band or morris team are performing at folk festivals. These old bones are finding it a bit hard!

Now I'll probably get run out of town but I take my old Philishave rechargeable:w00t: I used before these enlightened days! Quick and easy. Crap shave but presentable for the few days I'm at the festivals. Proper shower and shave when I get back!

Gareth

Deborah

08-16-2010, 10:47 AM

My husband and I love camping. The last time we went only my husband was DE shaving (I have recently picked it up), but he definitely took his shaving gear with him! He wouldn't leave home without it. Now that you mention it, my mind is going over exactly how I could accomplish my shave on our next trip. Hmmmmm.....

As far as stubble keeping your face warm....I think a close shave and you wife do a much better job! :blush:

Hunting of course is a different subject. I understand that you wouldn't want to shave due to the smell. But for camping....absolutley.

Short Round

08-16-2010, 11:10 AM

A weekend I can skip. (and get a wonderful nice close shave when I resume- I love those shaves)

for a week or more I'll shave once or twice depending on the facilities which may be a plastic bowl with water heated with a coleman stove.

During hunting season, I'll skip it all together because of the scent and the longish stubble keeps you a little warmer.

+1 for being all cleaned up before climbin in a sleeping bag.

badmammajamma

08-16-2010, 12:25 PM

I don't shave while camping. I think its part of the experience to get a little extra growth while in the great outdoors.

mikemargolis

08-16-2010, 08:52 PM

Wow, good for you.

In my opinion, "camping" means sleeping at a hotel that doesn't have turn-down service.

treewhale

08-16-2010, 09:27 PM

When I was a scout leader I would get up early to shave with hot water from the Coleman. The other leaders all looked rough, while I was totally put together. Shaving outdoors at near freezing temperatures is an experience not to be missed!

SUNA

08-17-2010, 09:44 AM

wizlo

08-17-2010, 09:49 AM

For field work I have to resort to a little Panasonic portable - no hot water means no wet shave!!! Don't try it if you've got a tough beard, you'll be hating life.

KenS

08-17-2010, 09:50 AM

As long as you're camping and "roughing it", just go ahead and shave with tepid water. When I'm in Central America visiting, cold or tepid water is all that is readily available; it works just fine..
Ken

kingfisher

08-17-2010, 10:09 AM

Wow, good for you.

In my opinion, "camping" means sleeping at a hotel that doesn't have turn-down service.

Same.

"Roughing it" means the TV remote batteries have died.:scared::wink2:

dichdiggr

08-17-2010, 10:14 AM

The last time I went camping I was gathering my gear and SWMBO put the veto down right quick. Felt scruffy and uncomfortable, but it was a great shave when I got home.

Jwolf24601

08-17-2010, 02:09 PM

The OP pretty much did what I do when camping. I heat about 1/2gal of water to near boil in a stainless steel mixing bowl. Make a lather in a small plastic bowl I got from the dollar store. I also use a mirror hung from a tree.

Afterwards I distribute the soapy hairy water over a large area and refil and reheat the mixing bowl for SWMBO to shave her legs in the tent...

treewhale

08-30-2010, 03:36 PM

Yup...a fellow Canadian. :wink2:

You know it. Hot shaving in freezing weather is a lot like jumping in cold water from a Sauna. Refreshing as all get out.

Go Eskies.

pauls51

08-30-2010, 04:10 PM

i don't shave while camping. I think its part of the experience to get a little extra growth while in the great outdoors.

+1

Rivguy

08-30-2010, 06:58 PM

I was a Scoutmaster for many years so I did shave on camping trips much of the time. Minimalist equipment was all I needed. Very light razor, inexpensive brush, almost spent puck in aluminum twist off tin and a polished aluminum mirror. I rather enjoyed shaving in the wild and it set a good example for the boys, some of whom had no male to show them how to get a proper save.

I wasn't a purest about it but it was enjoyable nonetheless. On those occasions when I did not shave, I did enjoy plowing through a few days worth of stubble.

Happy shaving,

Doug

_JP_

08-30-2010, 08:40 PM

I must say that even while camping you can really get a great shave. It's all about replicating the things you need to get a good shave at home. Hot water, a brush, bowl (a metal and enamel coleman camping bowl), maybe pre-shave oil (If you're into it), a good cream or soap, a DE razor (I use the merkur slant), and a nice blade (I used a derby extra for this outing). You'll need a mirror too, I've used the side mirror on my truck or a mirror on a string.

How far down the trail did you pack all that?

I've packed shaving gear only when canoe camping. The portages are usually less than a mile so it's no added sweat to hump it to the next lake or river. Of course, the way to carry your gear is to put first hang your food pack on your front, your personal pack on your back, then pick up the canoe and go!

jansob

08-30-2010, 09:42 PM

If the trip is more than 3 days I'll shave.

Only been once since DE shaving, but I brought the Feather portable and a teeny bottle of KMF...lathered with a facecloth and a metal bowl. Nice.

ImaWestie

08-31-2010, 02:50 AM

As a former army reservist, shaving in the great outdoors is something they actually teach. With a folding cup-canteen steel, and when I did it, horrible smelling hexamine.

And a smart-arsed Corporal with a cartrige razor with the blades taken out, showing you how to do it in 30 seconds.

Then I went armoured (if you aint cav, you aint - even if only part-time) and instead of being frugal with 500ml of water the tradition is to use more water than is humanly possible, then throw it still steaming out the back door - in full view of the infantry.

Of course in these conditions, it's not much different to shaving at home, except you smell more, and might have some camoflage cream still in there before you start your prep.

I stopped reserve service when the kids came along, and I'm currently planning our first camping trip for the next school holidays (8 years later). Car-camping, with a seemingly 15 room tent (ok, 3 rooms), with camp stretchers for the kids, self-inflating mattress for me... it's hardly fair to call it "camping" which really should involve only what you can carry on your back.

81FSUnole

08-31-2010, 07:07 PM

I went to Honduras this past march-april. I was in the mountains. no electricity, no hot water, no mirrors, nothin. i didnt shave or know what i looked like for nearly 6 days. i will NEVER make the mistake of not shaving.......even in isolation.......EVER AGAIN. when i finally did see myself......it wasn't pretty. :laugh:

ImaWestie

09-01-2010, 04:11 AM

i will NEVER make the mistake of not shaving.......even in isolation.......EVER AGAIN. when i finally did see myself......it wasn't pretty. :laugh:

And shaving will change that, how exactly? :lol:

You leave openings a mile wide, some of us will walk on through!

DamnFineBob

09-01-2010, 06:39 AM

What's the razor shown in the photo?

Its a Merkur "Mergress". A custom modification to the Merkur Progress adjustable.
You can read about it on this thread from the Vendors' Corner (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=10173)

44Whiskas

09-01-2010, 07:50 AM

I always shave when camping however I must say my home away from home includes a flat panel TV, AC and a Microwave..... 31 footer.... :laugh:

That's the type of camping I'm talking about!!!:thumbup:

This sleeping in tents stuff with no egyptian cotton and room service stuff is for the birds :lol:

DamnFineBob

09-01-2010, 07:53 AM

innerlogic

09-01-2010, 07:54 AM

Not shaving is one of the perks of camping for me.

My shave-love hasn't quite reached that point yet I suppose. A few more months.

Wil Dorenbos

09-01-2010, 07:58 AM

I can't imagine anything more satisfying than making your own hot water over a crackling campfire, lathering up in an enameled camping bowl, and ending up smooth-skinned in the still-cool morning air.:thumbup1:

Damn, I gotta convince the wife that we need to try camping.

Yep, but you do not need hot water. I am shaving with cold water now, and that's good too:thumbup1: A small piece of Palmolive (euro) shave stick, a disposable twin blade, a piece of alum and a 5 dollar boar is all you need...

blackfoot

09-01-2010, 04:04 PM

The last two camping trips I've been on were back-country trips. I brought my shave gear on both of them and only used it once. I enjoy not shaving, partially because the best shave ever is returning to civilization and clearing off a week's worth of growth. But, there is a great satisfaction of a straight razor and a bowl of lather resting on the canoe in the middle of no where too. :thumbup:

grouse79

09-01-2010, 04:47 PM

I think I was the only guy to take a razor to his face for the whole of my brother's stag weekend. We were in a hostel so not exactly roughing it but I really felt the need to shave before we hit the town that night (that's relative - we were in Fort William for those of you who know Northern Scotland). Did a quick face lathering 3 pass in the sink at the corner of our room with one guy asking me "Why are you shaving for a third time?".

It's noticeable I haven't shaved after about 36 hours and it starts to get really itchy. Plus taking more than a couple of days growth off is still a bit of a chore even with a fresh Feather blade. So wherever I was going I'd want to take along a shaving kit. I'd take along my boar brush and a small tube of cream, probably the Palmolive, and for a razor I'd either take my Feather portable or a couple of single blade Bic sensitive disposables.

There is something very attractive about shaving in the outdoors, more so from the descriptions here. I haven't been camping for some years but I can't wait to try it.

blackfoot

09-07-2010, 10:47 PM

Disclaimer: I know how wacky this sounds even while I'm writing it.

Just got back from a canoe camping trip. What I usually do for a daily shower, water temp permitting, is to jump in the river, fill a watering can while I'm in there, then go away from the shore, soap up, and rinse off with the aforementioned watering can.

I was curious to see how much lather my brush would hold, so this time I shaved before the above procedure, then used my brush and lather instead of soap. I discovered that: a) There was enough lather left over after shaving for pretty much my entire body, and b) that TOBS Avocado even works as a shampoo, at least with my 3/4" hair. :blushing:

:lol: