If left in the woods with nothing, what would one look for as an alternative to soap? Also, what would you shave with, assuming you have a straight razor and strop?

Last year I gave up soaps and foams in favor of shave oil for my travel kit. It worked so good it's all I use at home too. Best thing I've ever used for a good shave. You get about 40 shaves out of a tiny bottle smaller than a bottle of eye drops. I don't shave every day so I've only bought 3 bottles since last year and one of those was for my travel kit. The best part is that there's no messy soap to rinse off. Just wipe off any loose hairs and you're good to go.

http://www.cromwell-cruthers.ca/cromwell-cruthers/

addendum: I don't know how well it works with a straight razor. I plan to try but I don't want to buy one just for that...trying to find a hand-me-down.

Soaproot and similar plants found widely across the United States were used by those who went before us as soap. I agree that sand is often a good substiute for soap.

I do not understand the second part of your post.

I don't shave at home or on the trail. I can't remember the last time I bought shaving cream.

Soap... dirt in the stream cleans you up nicely...

Dweste- A straight razor is a "cut throat"razor, like the super old fashioned ones from Sweeny todd.

Is there a question here? If you have a straight razor, then I assume that's what you shave with.

Do you mean what would you use in place of shaving cream / gel / oil? If so, then same answer: soaproot or local equivalent.

anyplace in the states that sells this stuff? Seems interesting to me.

I used to have a hard time finding it here actually. I usually just hit a few drug stores and find a bottle eventually.

I've seen other brands around too...I'm sure this isn't all there is. Cromwell-Cruthers is just what I happen to use.

Magellen's used to sell the shaving oil. Might check their site

i don't shave in the woods at all. To much hassle for me. When traveling i carry a mini-shavingfoam cannister with me.

At home i carry a selection of old fashion shaving soap and brush, shaving oil and foam. Never really tryed a straight razor, but i did shaved with old fashion doubled sided safety razors. But in the end, i decided sleeping longer was a better option than taking time to shave. So now it's just foam and a modern triple bladed razor for me. (and mine alarm clock still goes off at 5.45am...)