Shaving while backpacking

**Bison** · 01-30-2008, 07:59 PM

Anyone ever try to put together a light-weight shaving kit for use while backpacking? Weight and space are huge factors (plus no mirror), so I usually just grow a haggard backwoods beard. This obviously doesn't help when hitchhiking.

Any thoughts?

**red2** · 01-30-2008, 08:08 PM

I've never shaved while backpacking. It's one of the great pleasures of returning from the wilderness: the first clean shave after a good trip.

I love being the first one down the trail in the morning. I often find my face breaks invisible strands of spider web that little rappelling travellers have spun across the trail in the night. I usually rub them into my stubble, pretending that it thickens my beard.

**Suzuki** · 01-30-2008, 11:02 PM

Originally Posted by Bison

Anyone ever try to put together a light-weight shaving kit for use while backpacking? Weight and space are huge factors (plus no mirror), so I usually just grow a haggard backwoods beard. This obviously doesn't help when hitchhiking.

Any thoughts?

If weight and space are at a premium, I would suggest the following:

DE razor
Blades in a plastic dispenser (to protect against damage)
Soap stick
Travel brush - either a dedicated one or a small brush in a pill bottle - if you're really trying to save weight, you could go with a brushless product decanted into a smaller container or just use your hands to lather the soap on your face - not as nice as a brush, but will do the job.
Decants of AS products of choice

The one thing to be careful of is the blades - unless you get a hard case that securely holds your razor, you will risk damaging the blade in the razor.

I've seen some neat hardshell cases that hold a razor, blades and have some space for small bottles of other stuff.

Also, you might want to get an unbreakable travel mirror.

Hope this helps.

**Jack Bauer** · 01-30-2008, 11:07 PM

I agree with everything Chris suggested, but for a twist you could bring an injector with an injector cartridge. Injectors are really simple to load and the metal case the blades come in should be able to take a beating.

Chris

**Gunnar** · 01-31-2008, 02:42 AM

I don't bother shaving while camping, but when on the road I use this gear in my travelling pack:

Merkur 933 travel razor: http://www.shaving-shack.com/shop/ca...CL-p-2673.html In its pouch it is as small as a safety razor can get. I remove the blade before unscrewing the handle, as the knurling of the handle rubs against the blade when in the pouch.

Vulfix 2273 travel brush: http://www.vulfixoldoriginal.com/pro...5&ProductID=40 It is a nice little brush, and works well. if the price it too high for you Vulfix have a cheaper version in pure badger.

I use a Tabac soap stick, and have a styptic pen (just in case).

As you are camping you will also need a bowl and a metal mirror of some sort.

**cachorros** · 01-31-2008, 03:41 AM

You could pretty easily get your hands on a couple of shave cream samples that would be very lightweight. I don't think I could shave without a mirror. But even a small one would be much better than nothing.

How long would you be backpacking for?

**TOB9595** · 01-31-2008, 04:05 AM

In your backpacking emergency kit you may have a signal mirror. This is good to shave with.
You should have a signal mirror if you don't already.
Tom

**_JP_** · 01-31-2008, 10:41 AM

When you're backpacking you have to rough it! That means bringing along a disposable that works for you (nothing is lighter than the plastic handled disposables) no brush, and no shave soap. If you can get the Pack Soap made by Cascade Designs that will work for shaving. It's a great super concentrated all purpose soap that you can use for everything including general hygiene, dishes, and equipment cleaning. And also completely biodegradable, and important consideration in most areas. This is the set up that I use to shave with every couple of days while in the back country.

DE razors are made of metal which equals weight. A separate shave soap means more weight a space used up. A travel brush also takes up space and will be heavy because it will always be wet. So just wet your face and use your hand to lather up with a few drops of Pack Soap. If it doesn't feel slippery enough then add a few more drops until it does.

**thirdeye** · 01-31-2008, 11:15 AM

How about a good old Gillette Military roll which has a mirror and some shaving oil, no need for the brush. After all, your roughing it right?

Me, I just simply let it grow.......

**moses** · 01-31-2008, 11:34 AM

I definitely let it grow. But if I wasn't here's what I'd do. First, get some Bic Metals. There is no way a DE can compete with a plastic disposable on weight. And the Metals are supposed to actually be pretty good. You will have to figure out a way to protect the blade. (But don't disposables have a little clip on plastic cover over the blade? Maybe it can be reused?) No WAY I would take the weight of a brush backpacking, but I guess some travel brushes are pretty light. And a soap stick? Not likely. If you aren't just going to use a little of your regular backpacking soap, I would go with a sample container of Creamo, Musgo, Proraso, or something like that that works well brushless.

-Mo

PS- I definitely wouldn't take a Gillette Military Set. They are cool and all, but that's gotta be six ounces. No way. (Yeah yeah, six ounces sounds like nothing, but six ounces here, six ounces there adds up REALLY fast.)

**Bison** · 01-31-2008, 11:53 AM

Great thoughts so far!

Like I said, I usually rough it too, but I might be going for 5 months, so I just thought I would throw the idea out there.

Anyone ever try and dr. bronners all in one soap for shaving? that's what i normally have with me anyway.

**thirdeye** · 01-31-2008, 11:55 AM

Originally Posted by moses

PS- I definitely wouldn't take a Gillette Military Set. They are cool and all, but that's gotta be six ounces. No way. (Yeah yeah, six ounces sounds like nothing, but six ounces here, six ounces there adds up REALLY fast.)

LOL..6 oz hummmmmm

back in the day I did plenty of clicks in the corp and it wasn't with all the ultra light weight stuff that sport hikers have today. (not down playing the cool new gear out today which is awesome stuff).

But I'll be damed if I put some cheesie plastic crap near my face, I'd rather sharpen a clam shell.....

6 oz...leave the pack stove home and enjoy the shave...

But then again, I don't shave when I'm out in the back country....

**bb557** · 01-31-2008, 12:56 PM

Originally Posted by moses

I definitely let it grow. But if I wasn't here's what I'd do. First, get some Bic Metals. There is no way a DE can compete with a plastic disposable on weight. And the Metals are supposed to actually be pretty good. You will have to figure out a way to protect the blade. (But don't disposables have a little clip on plastic cover over the blade? Maybe it can be reused?) .)

This is the way I plan on going this summer. The BICS do shave pretty good, have a cover on them and are very light.

**Radman** · 01-31-2008, 05:48 PM

I blend in with the other outback creatures and let the hair grow!

**Doc4** · 01-31-2008, 06:36 PM

Originally Posted by Bison

Anyone ever try to put together a light-weight shaving kit for use while backpacking? Weight and space are huge factors (plus no mirror), so I usually just grow a haggard backwoods beard. This obviously doesn't help when hitchhiking.

Any thoughts?

You should be able to get a small camping mirror from an outdoors store ...

**_JP_** · 01-31-2008, 09:00 PM

Originally Posted by Bison

Anyone ever try and dr. bronners all in one soap for shaving? that's what i normally have with me anyway.

No, but I have used it on canoe trips. I think that it would be too thin to be much good, and there's definitely a lack of lubricity to it. I like the Pack Soap better because it is very concentrated. Literally a single drop of it is enough to soap up a wet arm. A few drops is enough to shampoo the scalp.

**Aevum** · 02-01-2008, 09:47 AM

theres always the wilkinson classic DE, its a cheap piece of plastic, sells here in spain for under 3 euros with a pack of 5 wilkinson blades,
all in one soap..... i always find using normal soap is too dry to shave with,
plus. when traveling, maybe a brushless solution would be better,

anyways, you can always grab a williams puck for under a buck and take a box cutter to it, take a slice with you for shaving, or use a slicer to make thin disks,

**Doug** · 02-02-2008, 03:18 AM

On long trips I have used Bic single edge for sensitive skin razors, and Shave Secret shaving oil. Dr. Bonners is a pure castile soap and doesn’t produce a very thick lather. Many compasses have a mirror in them or a signal mirror such as …
http://www.rei.com/product/697954
next, to put creams or balms in…
http://www.rei.com/product/402057?vc...HP_CAMPING_TOC
I’ve put all of my toiletries in…
http://www.ziploc.com/default.aspx
YMMV.
Tell us more about your trip.
Good luck
Doug

**drumana** · 02-02-2008, 05:26 AM

I'd use some of the bar soap I'd be taking anyway, Merkur Classic (lightweight and it's a three piece so it can be packed easily) no brush no aftershave.

Have fun out there. . . I'm jealous

**Gafer** · 02-02-2008, 05:51 AM

BIC metals while a good razor are hard to find and the weight is a liability when backpacking. I'd take a Schick Slim Twin. Lightweight, fixed head. Just two blades. Shaves somewhat like a DE.

The other option might be a disposable DE like they use in the hospital. There were some posts about this awhile back: http://www.badgerandblade.com/vb/sho...light=surgical
Here's one supplier: You have to buy 50 but they might send you a couple samples:
http://www.derma-safe.com/product1.htm

As I read this I thought about trying to Method Shave out there. Let's see, I'd need my Big-assed-brush, Merkur DE, Feather Blades (60 blades for 5 months), Cube, Shaving Paste, Activator, Cutting Balm, Aromatic Tonic, After Shave Conditioner, mirror. Comes in around 50 lbs I figure. Hey, I saved weight didn't I 'cause you don't need a lathering bowl?