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Ranger Challenge!

Nix · 1523 · 39568

us Offline Rapidray

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Re: Ranger Challenge!
Reply #840 on: January 15, 2020, 02:56:41 PM
 :rofl: :rofl:


spam Offline comis

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Re: Ranger Challenge!
Reply #841 on: January 15, 2020, 02:59:03 PM
I typically use a straight razor to clean up my beard. If I'm feeling a bit lazy I use a safety razor instead, so I use Feather blades myself.

I've heard some grumblings that they aren't the same quality, but I don't know about that. When I first started using Feather blades, I chose them based on an electron scanning microscope photo comparing different razor blades. The Feather blades were the clear winner....by a long shot.

Now, some people at the time were saying that Feathers were 'scary sharp', 'Ninja sharp', or 'too sharp'.

This is nonsense.   :rant:

Hair is actually fairly tough stuff.  A dull razor will drag and pull. This leads to skin irritation and rashes, possibly ingrown hairs. There is no such thing as 'too sharp'. Using a straight razor that you have to sharpen yourself will teach you the downside of a dull razor very quickly! A really sharp straight razor is a dream to use. I suspect more people are put off of wet shaving by using dull razors than sharp ones. Use the sharpest razor you can find!

Now, I've been shaving for many decades and I still manage to give myself nicks (they don't me Nix for nothing.) on occasion. A slight cut with a sharp razor will stop bleeding and heal up better than one made with a dull razor. I there were a sharper razor out there, I'd use it!

The one thing I don't like about Feather razors is that the newer batches have a spot of glue on the blade. Each blade comes wrapped in a bit of paper, held shut with a dab of glue. The older versions used a different glue that stuck to the paper not the blade. The newer ones have a slightly different glue and some ends up on the blade (in the center). Functionally, this doesn't make a difference, but I always take a moment to clean it off before inserting the blade into my razor. 

Anyway, I've developed some real brand loyalty for Feather. If someone knows of a better razor blade, I'll be happy to try it!

This topic probably deserve a new thread on its own.  I am now leaning towards getting the double edge safety razor by Merkur, and I have read somewhere that their blades are good as well.  I have no way to verify that until I try it first hand though...


spam Offline comis

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us Offline Nix

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Re: Ranger Challenge!
Reply #843 on: January 15, 2020, 03:12:39 PM
This topic probably deserve a new thread on its own.  I am now leaning towards getting the double edge safety razor by Merkur, and I have read somewhere that their blades are good as well.  I have no way to verify that until I try it first hand though...

I think one of my safety razors is a Merkur. They make nice razors. I've used their blades, too. As far as I recall, they were fine.  I think the Feathers are better, but I haven't used a Merkur blade for ten years or more, so take anything I say with a grain of salt.   :dunno:


us Offline SteveC

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Re: Ranger Challenge!
Reply #844 on: January 15, 2020, 03:17:51 PM
This topic probably deserve a new thread on its own.  I am now leaning towards getting the double edge safety razor by Merkur, and I have read somewhere that their blades are good as well.  I have no way to verify that until I try it first hand though...


There is a shaving thread in the Break Room   :tu:


https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,31735.msg525736.html#msg525736


spam Offline comis

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Re: Ranger Challenge!
Reply #845 on: January 15, 2020, 03:19:02 PM
I think one of my safety razors is a Merkur. They make nice razors. I've used their blades, too. As far as I recall, they were fine.  I think the Feathers are better, but I haven't used a Merkur blade for ten years or more, so take anything I say with a grain of salt.   :dunno:

Hmm, on that note, thanks for reminding me to order some Feather along with Merkur blades. :tu:


us Offline David

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Re: Ranger Challenge!
Reply #846 on: January 15, 2020, 07:34:47 PM
Day 15
What? Enablers! Are you serrrrious? Where? I dont see any.
Hold Fast


us Offline Sos24

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Re: Ranger Challenge!
Reply #847 on: January 15, 2020, 07:37:23 PM
Day 15
:drool: I really like that lighter wood handle.


us Offline Rapidray

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Re: Ranger Challenge!
Reply #848 on: January 15, 2020, 07:38:04 PM
 :iagree: That oak is nice!  :cheers:


us Offline SteveC

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Re: Ranger Challenge!
Reply #849 on: January 15, 2020, 07:50:40 PM
 :iagree: :iagree: :drool:


00 Offline Borg

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Re: Ranger Challenge!
Reply #850 on: January 15, 2020, 08:33:22 PM
 :iagree:  :like:

Day 15 Half way there  :tu:

Poker Face Milk dud world champion 2021


us Offline SteveC

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Re: Ranger Challenge!
Reply #851 on: January 15, 2020, 09:04:52 PM
Day 15



.


us Offline Rapidray

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Re: Ranger Challenge!
Reply #852 on: January 15, 2020, 09:11:13 PM
:iagree:  :like:

Day 15 Half way there  :tu:

(Image removed from quote.)
Very nice comparison!  :like: :cheers:


us Offline Rapidray

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Re: Ranger Challenge!
Reply #853 on: January 15, 2020, 09:11:55 PM


us Offline Nix

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Re: Ranger Challenge!
Reply #854 on: January 15, 2020, 11:31:26 PM
Day 15:





Glamour shot while you wait for the coffee to brew up......





us Offline David

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Re: Ranger Challenge!
Reply #855 on: January 15, 2020, 11:40:00 PM
Day 15:

(Image removed from quote.)



Glamour shot while you wait for the coffee to brew up......

(Image removed from quote.)

Good shot of your Ranger!       :like:

Your pic is worth a thousand words!    :D

Got coffee.
« Last Edit: January 16, 2020, 02:17:00 AM by David »
What? Enablers! Are you serrrrious? Where? I dont see any.
Hold Fast


us Offline Nix

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Re: Ranger Challenge!
Reply #856 on: January 16, 2020, 12:05:34 AM
Day 15 (continued):

After a chilly start to the morning, it warmed up to +1ºF (that would be -17ºC for you metric-types), and I thought it would be a great day to get some fresh air. We had had a littl esnow yesterday and I hoped the hills would be looking wintry.

I packed a day bag and got ready for a decent day's hike. Here's Adventure Boy insisting that he's ready for the trail (he isn't):



The little camo bag strapped to the side holds my micro-spikes. These slip on easily and are brilliant on ice. They aren't as secure as actual crampons, but their ease of use (both in being easy to walk in and put on) make them my go-to choice for winter hiking.  The blue tarp strapped to the bottom is useful for sitting on or storing gear on when out in the snow. It's a bit too small to use as an impromptu shelter, but might be better than nothing. Since both spikes and tarp are likely to get snowy and/or wet, they get stored on the outside of the pack. In winter conditions, I think it's important to keep your dry stuff....uh...dry.

So my hills almost looked wintery....




Not exactly Norway, but still kinda nice. A crisp, dry day, and I had the woods to myself. Doesn't get better than that.

I had a nice quiet ramble....not withstanding the squeak and crunch of the snow under foot and chain. Hiking uphill I got right warm and started stripping off layers. I stashed my warm gloves and wool hat in the pack and wore a light cotton hat and thin fleece gloves. My vest came off and got stashed, too. I was thinking off striping down to a t-shirt, but I kept my fleece top on--it proved breathable enough that it didn't collect much sweat or condensation. My breath froze on my beard and gave me a frosty look.

Around midday I stopped for lunch.

In winter conditions, I try to keep everything dry. Pack, poles, sweaty hat, and sweaty gloves all got hung up (where the hat and gloves froze stiff).




To keep the 112 handy, I stashed it in a pouch on a shoulder strap. I have mixed thoughts about this: I like to keep my knife on my person, but with gloves on it is easier to get out of a pouch than a pocket, and, with a pack, a belt sheath isn't always convenient. So....shoulder pouch.





Lunch was an old MRE. Trail mix makes a great summer lunch, but I do like some hot food on a winter's hike. The Ranger got used to open the MRE packaging--much easier than trying to open that tough plastic with gloves on!




This MRE was left over from my active-duty days, a 2007, Menu No.3.  Beef ravioli!  (OK, not that exciting, but perfectly edible.)





The Jet boil got used to heat up water for the instant coffee from the MRE. Ooooh, that thin, vaguely sweet, vaguely coffee-flavored, hot liquid was welcome! (Note the ground pad used to block the wind. Water heated up in no time!)  I used the MRE flameless ration heater to heat up the self-described ravioli. Not bad.

Everything tastes better when you are outside, cold, and hungry.  :D  Even this:



(Note, the Ranger was used to cut the hot pouch open lengthwise. These pouches are designed to be opened across a short side--hard to dig in without getting messy. Cutting them open down a longside is definitely the way to go.)

The view from the lunchroom:




For winter conditions I really prefer a fixed blade knife--just easier to use and store. However, with the shoulder pouch, even with gloves on, the Ranger proved itself a very handy knife for a day hike!   :tu:

Edit: to keep the water in my water bottle from freezing, I added a small pinch of salt and a big pinch of sugar. This works fairly well....to a point...to lower the freezing temperature. I'm not sure it made a difference today, but my water did not freeze.


us Offline SteveC

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Re: Ranger Challenge!
Reply #857 on: January 16, 2020, 12:12:46 AM
Nice Jack, thanks for taking us along !    :like: :tu:


us Offline Nix

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Re: Ranger Challenge!
Reply #858 on: January 16, 2020, 12:14:09 AM
 :cheers:


us Offline David

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Re: Ranger Challenge!
Reply #859 on: January 16, 2020, 12:23:36 AM
Thanks Nix. Enjoyed your hike and good pics as always!     :tu:      :like:
What? Enablers! Are you serrrrious? Where? I dont see any.
Hold Fast


us Offline Sos24

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Re: Ranger Challenge!
Reply #860 on: January 16, 2020, 12:48:51 AM
Great comparison shot, Borg.

Love the photo, Steve.

Great recap of the day, Nix, and some nice scenery photos.


us Offline Sos24

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Re: Ranger Challenge!
Reply #861 on: January 16, 2020, 01:07:57 AM
Day 15
(Dang, I just realized the challenge was halfway thru.  Time flies)

Today, Fisher was completely back to himself, so the Ranger helped me get him a new ball out to celebrate.

Then the mailman delivered my new toy, which the Ranger promptly helped me open.


us Offline Spartan19

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Re: Ranger Challenge!
Reply #862 on: January 16, 2020, 01:10:51 AM
Nice one Noah !   :like:
[/quote

DAY 13

Thanks Steve! :hatsoff:
Send In the spartans


us Offline SteveC

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Re: Ranger Challenge!
Reply #863 on: January 16, 2020, 01:15:39 AM
Day 15
(Dang, I just realized the challenge was halfway thru.  Time flies)

Today, Fisher was completely back to himself, so the Ranger helped me get him a new ball out to celebrate.
(Image removed from quote.)
Then the mailman delivered my new toy, which the Ranger promptly helped me open.
(Image removed from quote.)

Glad to hear he's feeling better !  :tu:


us Offline Rapidray

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Re: Ranger Challenge!
Reply #864 on: January 16, 2020, 01:23:29 AM
Nix - you never disappoint. That is what I was hoping for, snow and some great outdoor scenery!  :woohoo:
Didn’t know about the salt and sugar!  :cheers:


us Offline Rapidray

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Re: Ranger Challenge!
Reply #865 on: January 16, 2020, 01:24:58 AM
Day 15
(Dang, I just realized the challenge was halfway thru.  Time flies)

Today, Fisher was completely back to himself, so the Ranger helped me get him a new ball out to celebrate.
(Image removed from quote.)
Then the mailman delivered my new toy, which the Ranger promptly helped me open.
(Image removed from quote.)
Seems like today was very nice to several people today!  :like: :cheers:


us Offline Rapidray

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Re: Ranger Challenge!
Reply #866 on: January 16, 2020, 01:25:37 AM
« Last Edit: January 16, 2020, 02:38:43 AM by Rapidray »


us Offline Nix

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Re: Ranger Challenge!
Reply #867 on: January 16, 2020, 01:48:44 AM
Glad to hear he's feeling better !  :tu:

Me too!   :tu:


us Offline Nix

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Re: Ranger Challenge!
Reply #868 on: January 16, 2020, 01:51:25 AM
Didn’t know about the salt and sugar! 


I think it helps. Just don't put too much salt in. Just a small pinch.

If you aren't using the water for cookng purposes, you can add a spoon or two of a sports drink mix, e.g. Gatorade, to help keep it from freezing.

Having a frozen water bottle sucks.  At night I keep a water bottle in my sleeping bag.


us Offline Sos24

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Ranger Challenge!
Reply #869 on: January 16, 2020, 02:12:30 AM

I think it helps. Just don't put too much salt in. Just a small pinch.

If you aren't using the water for cookng purposes, you can add a spoon or two of a sports drink mix, e.g. Gatorade, to help keep it from freezing.

Having a frozen water bottle sucks.  At night I keep a water bottle in my sleeping bag.

Insulated water bottles add weight but are great for extreme temperatures. Help prevent frozen water in winter and hot water in summer.


 

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