You've just been drafted and have to report in 30 days. You are allowed to bring your own razor, blades, soap, and brush (after basic training is completed). What do you bring and why? I would take a Rolls Viscount (aluminum) and a spare blade. La Toya shave stick. Synthetic brush. I'd go with the Rolls razor because it does not need an extra blade, and if it does, well, it has a spot to carry it already built in. The Viscount is the lightest (being aluminum) and most compact model they made. Getting extra blades like DE or injector blades might be iffy. Resupply and mail might never come, or be delayed by months. A member on one of the forums remembers his father telling him how he was the only one in his unit that could shave for a time during WWII. He had a Rolls razor and the rest of his unit all had Gillettes, and they hadn't been able to get new blades for a month. La Toya has alum in it, which would act as a nick stopper and antibacterial agent in case there is no alcohol or aftershave. It comes as a shave stick, in it's own plastic container too. How convenient. Synthetic brush because it would dry quickly and I wouldn't be devastated if someone stole it. What would be your war picks and why? Edit: this is a bit different from your desert island shave, in that weight is a consideration, and thieving might also be an issue.
a. My WW2 plastic Simplex or the all-metal Clix, and a dozen blade packs of something smooth (that's a year's worth for me). or b. The 1924 and a box of Ted Pella. The Rolls is an excellent choice but either of these setups should stow in less space and will weigh less. Any bar soap works for me, whatever is issued. No brush needed, I'll get by with patiently hand lathering.
Well, it's not WW II time anymore, just sayin'....I did go to Viet Nam and had no problem getting hold of shaving supplies. The military did a pretty good job getting stuff to us. So I'd probably still use what I do now
I would take a late 1940's BET and a spare blade tuck, Tabac shave stick, synthetic brush because it would dry quickly.
It would be the same as my bicycle travel kit... ER 1924, a few PTFE blades, and an arko stick. It fits nicely in a soap container, the 3 piece razor packs flat, the arko can be used as body soap if needed, and the single edge blades are easier to use (than DE) in non shaving roles if needed. No need for a brush.
Just a standard Flare ..... no pieces to possibly drop or lose, a puck of Van Der Hagen shaving soap (common and easy to get in a care package) and a couple tucks of blades. no need for a brush. Shortly after I started DE shaving I lived in the African bush. My shave kit consisted a puck of soap, Personna blues (I was new and didn't realize how much I didn't care for them), a Gillette Slim (shaved with a good long time and never cared for it), an Omega 40033 boar brush (very nice bush) and a jelly can to store and put hot water to soak brush). If I was to do it again I bring the Flare or Tech (easy to replace), Lord blades (nice shaves and easy to get), same brush (worked great) and the soap was fine.
Lots of choices to choose from. But I'd go with my Canadian WW II Tech in khaki soft case with Personna 74 blades. Arko shave stick and a travel shave brush in container, if possible, but not really needed.
I've lived that dream quite a few times. At least a little less ominous version of it anyway. I wish I knew then what I know now. I agree on the shave stick and synthetic brush. I'd probably just go with a cheap, mild DE that works well like a Lord L6 and some comfortable blades that pack small. A 100 pack of Personna Labs would work. Something to think about though... Lots of times I shaved in the dark, by feel with a disposable razor using just some cold water from a canteen on my face. Those lubricating strips actually serve a purpose in that scenario. So believe it or not, I'd still take some of those cheap disposables.
If I'm going to war( on my......) Schick E2 and a pack of 20pc Personna injector blades with a synthetic brush. Soap would be Speick stick would easily do the job every time and the other fellows might even try using it when I'm not looking!
When my husband was recalled (in his early 50's) and deployed to Iraq, he took a multi-bladed something, because he hadn't yet switched to DE's. But he also took the really good eucalyptus soap I made for him.
Although i never been.. I did serve and the name of the game is compact. When you first get your gear the Corps teaches you to maximize your space and minimize your gear. Ex: roll your shirts with undies and stuff it into a sock making a small burrito. Your pack has 60-80 lbs of gear. But as you go into the field you take essentials and again you have maximize your space. There will be long days of patrolling / guarding ( god forbid fighting ) and at the end of the day you are so tired showers and shaving are back of mind. So with that being said. In my pack / rucksack -3 pce tech and oc head in a shave tube -Arko shave stick -As many blades i can put into the tube w/ my tech - small synthetic brush ( most likely will use my hand to produce lather) Back at home base - box of shave sticks - extra blades
