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Shaving After the Stuff Hits the Fan

October 7, 2013 by

Shaving After the Stuff Hits the Fan

I have no proof of this, but I believe that the majority of people who shave do so either with an electric razor or with disposable blades. I actually use both, which got me thinking about what I would do in a prolonged “stuff hitting the fan” situation where the trucks weren’t bringing disposable razors and the grid was down. While I might be tempted to go Grizzly Adams or Duck Dynasty and just grow a manly mane, the Beautiful Mrs. Ray would oppose. (Yep, absolutely! ~Trudee) In truth, the facial hair wouldn’t bother me but I started shaving my head years ago as a pre-emptive strike against my balding genetics. I happen to like this style better than when I had hair and would still want to shave my head in a prolonged event. But I digress.

I knew about straight razor shaving and discovered safety razors. For full disclosure, I haven’t used either, but I have researched them and thought I would share my thoughts with you.

Straight Razor
Straight Razor

You’ve probably seen a straight razor used in a movie or on TV. This was the way men shaved for centuries, either by themselves or going to a barber and paying for a hot towel shave. With a straight razor, you will also need a hone to keep it sharp and a strop to keep the metal aligned on the edge.

This is probably the most difficult shave to master and the most dangerous if you’re not careful. It is also the most expensive upfront cost, with razors costing from $100 – $300, strops ranging from $50 – $200 and hones from $50 – $100. Like I said, it’s the most expensive upfront. However, it is my understanding that a well maintained razor will outlast you.

Saftey razor
Safety Razor

A safety razor has a guide that limits exposure to the blade, thus limiting the risk of a serious cut. Safety razors were the first major leap from straight razors. Safety razors have a disposable one or two sided blade that can be discarded after it dulls. There are a few different types of safety razors that the link can explain far better than I. There is also a variety of blades available, varying in degree of sharpness, among other traits. Some blades will work better for you than others and there are often sample packs offered so you can try a variety at a low price. Safety Razors range in price from $25 – $100, blades range from 5 count packages for $2.00 to 100 count packages for $18.00 – $20.00.
 
 
Shaving Brushes

There are a few different types of brushes. From my research, Badger brushes are the best quality. The quality of lather you can get from a good brush and a traditional shaving cream or soap has a much better quality than from modern canned creams.

Shaving Lather

Soaps and Creams

Aside from the disposable blades for safety razors, creams, soaps and after shave are the only other consumables that would have to be replaced. There are many different creams and soaps. Some are slicker than others and they vary by scent as well. There are two types of shaving soaps; glycerin based and hard soaps. Prices range greatly by size and manufacturer. Glycerin based soaps are cheaper and can last for roughly two months with daily use. Hard soaps are made with heavier oils and can last 4 – 6 months with daily use.
 
 
General Thoughts

I hate shaving. I always have. So much so that I usually only shave twice a week. During my research, I read a few accounts from men who hated shaving also. They say that once they began to use a straight or safety razor and found some shaving soaps and creams they liked, they began to actually enjoy it.

As I mentioned, I don’t currently use a straight or safety razor. I would like to use a straight razor but I’m not sure how feasible that is for shaving my head when I can’t easily see the back of it. Because of this, when money permits, I would really like to get a safety razor and start using that full time now.

Stocking soaps and blades to last years is easily affordable, so even if the stuff hits the fan I can maintain a clean shaven appearance.
 
 
Resources on Shaving

Here are just some of the links I have on shaving. Some are informational and others offer products.

Shaving 101
The Art of the Straight Razor Shave
Classic Shaving
West Coast Shaving
Badger and Blade

 
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Filed Under: General Preparedness

Propane for Fuel Storage

October 4, 2013 by

Propane for Fuel Stroage

 
Energy is one of the five basic human needs. We use it to cook, to see and for power, among other things. For many reasons, propane is my fuel of choice to store and use if/when the grid goes down for any length of time.
 
Storage

Propane does not go bad like some of the other fuels and has an indefinite shelf life. There are multiple storage sizes; the 1lb, the popular 20lb and even some 200lb tanks that are available at various hardware stores. Many use propane for their primary fuel source and have the much larger tanks that are filled only once or twice a year. Before you decide to store larger tanks of propane, you should check local laws.
 
Availability

I’m sure this is not the case everywhere, but where I live there are two propane companies within walking distance, and a couple more within twenty miles. That’s not counting all of the self-serve propane stations scattered at various gas stations and other businesses. A note about these self-serve stations; they are much more expensive here than taking the tank to a company to have it refilled. They are, however, a good way to trade in your older tank for a new one.
 
Utility

This is one of the major reasons I decided to go with propane. There is just so much you can do with it. There are camp lights, camp stoves, grills, portable heaters, generators and even some appliances that can run on propane. Here are some instructions on filling the smaller 1lb tanks from a 20lb tank.
 

Power

As stated, there are some generators that run on propane and some can also be retro-fitted to accept propane as a fuel source. I have heard that generators will use more propane than gas. If that’s true, in my opinion, the point is negated because of how much easier it is to store large amounts of propane versus gasoline. I checked on the conversion for our generator and was told I needed to send them the carburetor, that they would modify it and send it back for $150.
 

Final Thoughts

I personally believe that if we were to see a prolonged grid down event, propane would be available longer than gasoline. The main reason for this is that gas would be used to run most generators and to fuel vehicles (if they’re running). In suburbia, people generally only use propane for their grills and usually have just the one tank.

 
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Filed Under: Energy/Power

October Preparedness Club Giveaway

October 2, 2013 by

Congratulations to “Robert” for winning September’s Preparedness Club member giveaway!

I’m pretty excited to announce that James Talmage Stevens, AKA “Dr. Prepper”, has agreed to donate one copy of his book Making the Best of Basics every month, to be given away to members of the Preparedness Club!


All time best selling preparedness book by James Talmage Stevens -- Doctor Prepper


I purchased this book years ago, and also wrote a review of it. For those who don’t want to follow the link, I had the following to say about the review:

“There are some books in our niche that cover a wide range of topics and skills that I look at as a type of prepper “handbook”. While you could, they aren’t necessarily the type of book you would sit down and read cover to cover. They are, however, the type of book you would want to have “just in case”. This is one of those books. I mean, it even has “Family Preparedness Handbook” in the title. LOL

It has something for every level of prepper, whether you’re just starting out and looking for help on what to do next, or have been prepping for years and want to see where you may have holes. This book has many preparedness check lists, charts on many different types of preparedness/survival gear as well as a lot of recipes using storage food. There is information to help you get prepared, as well as useful information if you are in a survival situation.

I own a hard copy of this book but like the idea of the PDF version as well. If I was only getting one copy, it would be a hard copy. The time you might need it is when the power is out. You could get the PDF version and print out the pages you want to have a hard copy of.

I think this is one book that should be in your prepper library and I give it 5 stars. The only drawback to this book is the price, but it is so loaded with information that I think it is worth every penny.”

 
The Preparedness Club

For the many new visitors who might be unfamiliar, Preparedness Club is a premium membership that offers discounts to twenty (and climbing) preparedness vendors, some of which are the biggest names in the area of preparedness.

There are discounts on just about all areas related to preparedness, except for guns; though Lucky Gunner does offer a 3% discount on ammo!

As a thank you to the members of the preparedness Club, I offer at least one free prize a month to a randomly picked winner, chosen at the end of each month. Once you join the Preparedness Club, you’re automatically entered each month!

There are yearly memberships available at $40 or monthly at $4. To learn more about the Preparedness Club, or to join, click here.

 
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Filed Under: Preparedness Club
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