Beards and shaving

[EternalOptimist]

How come whenever you see a medieval or ancient film (Robin Hood, King Arthur, 300) etc the vast majority of people are clean shaven (including the
women). I haven't shaved for a week I look like EOs avatar.

When you see images of cavemen they all have bushy beards. So how come everyone else since is clean shaven. How did everyone shave???

Well you have to diffentiate between a standing professional army (300) and ad hoc, non professional and irregular (king arthur, normans etc)

In the first type, the beard would be mandatory(ie persian immortals must have a regulation sized beard, roman legionaries must be clean shaven, hair one inch above the tunic etc)

In the second type, it was usually down to personal preference. Although, as anyone who has ever been in hand to hand combat will tell you, the less things there are for the other guy to get hold of, the better.

It is possible to shave with a flint

[TimberWolf]

I've never grown a beard, it feels uncomfortable, unsightly and unhygienic and I've never had the inclination. I often let the stubble grow over weekends though, which gives my shaver a good workout - it switches to plucking hairs out mode I think. It's also quite satisfying to get rid of long stubble with a razor, I feel clean again.

[EternalOptimist]

I've never grown a beard, it feels uncomfortable, unsightly and unhygienic and I've never had the inclination. I often let the stubble grow over weekends though, which gives my shaver a good workout - it switches to plucking hairs out mode I think. It's also quite satisfying to get rid of long stubble with a razor, I feel clean again.

When I was in the military, shaving was compulsory. But often water was in short supply so we used to dry shave. It was suprising how quickly you got used to it, it hurts a bit the first time, maybe the second

[Gonzo]

I've never grown a beard, it feels uncomfortable, unsightly and unhygienic and I've never had the inclination.

I have always been the same.

Today I had my arm twisted and I have agreed to grow a moustache for Movember.

I dread to think what that is going to look like.

[TimberWolf]

When I was in the military, shaving was compulsory. But often water was in short supply so we used to dry shave. It was suprising how quickly you got used to it, it hurts a bit the first time, maybe the second

No water and no liquids of any kind? And to spice things up a bit, a blunt razor?

The closest I've got is using suntan cream, and that worked fine. Even then I took the precaution of thoroughly wetting the skin. It seems in light of what you say I may have overcooked the precautionary measures.

[EternalOptimist]

No water and no liquids of any kind? And to spice things up a bit, a blunt razor?

The closest I've got is using suntan cream, and that worked fine. Even then I took the precaution of thoroughly wetting the skin. It seems in light of what you say I may have overcooked the precautionary measures.

give it a little go, tomorrow morning.

[TimberWolf]

give it a little go, tomorrow morning.

Totally dry skin? Is a disposable Bic razor up to it?

[EternalOptimist]

Totally dry skin? Is a disposable Bic razor up to it?

totally dry, use the bic.

have a little go on the neck. it will hurt a little - tough it out

[Tingles]

totally dry, use the bic.

have a little go on the neck. it will hurt a little - tough it out

It'll make a man of yer.

[kandr]

It'll make a man of yer.

Also have some toilet paper handy.