Hairiness of the Fur Trade

[Leifer]

Period correctness of facial hair of those involved with the fur trade....GO!!

[Leifer]

Ok...I'll elaborate a little. If a guy were to purposely have facial hair for a persona for the Fur Trade era, what would be appropriate? Is it better to be clean shaven? Thoughts? Preferences?

[Rod]

Six of one, half dozen of the other. There are plenty of quotes referring to being clean shaven, on the other hand, Miller paints plenty of facial hair (in about a 50-50 ratio to clean shaven). Mustaches and imperials seem to have been pretty popular, while the beards look to have been mostly kept short.

A couple of thoughts----Miller painted guys at the rendezvous, where they had quite possibly cleaned up a bit. Out on the trapline, things may have gotten decidedly shaggy. I'm also reminded of the account books of Jed Smith's southwest expedition, where Jed and another guy were the only ones drawing shaving soap out of company supplies. Now, maybe everybody else had plenty of their own soap and didn't need to purchase more----or maybe they just quit shaving.

I've used a straight razor quite often, and it's great at a fort or stationary camp---not so great on the trail (extra weight and paraphenalia, kind of a pain to shave out of a small kettle). I wonder how many mountaineers actually owned their own razor---or did one guy in a party who was good at it shave the others (as was very common in the military at the time)? Also, those short beards Miller shows might indicate guys being kept trimmed up with a scissor---a far more useful multi-purpose tool than a razor---and something that most would have had access to.

In the 1800-1830s era, bushy sideburns were pretty popular, and by the 1840s these were creeping down the jaw line---at least among the fashionable back east. It's interesting to see how fashions changed. We hear about the fur traders being clean-shaven because the customers (Indians) preferred it, but by the 1850s-60s, beards were all the rage--even among the fur traders. Couldn't have been hurting trade all that much, or they wouldn't have done that. Take a look at the various paintings of Alexander Culbertson to see a good example of this progression.

Of course, this is comparing the fur traders vs. the fur trappers, who had a look all their own. The fur traders were probably much more influenced by the fashions popular downriver than the trappers would have been.

Rod

[Leifer]

Thanks Rod. Exactly what I was looking for.

[Rod]

You're welcome. I was kind of rambling on, up late doing the night check, we're still calving--almost done, though! What's keeping you up this late--the new baby (I know how that goes...)?

Rod

[Leifer]

Yeah, poor guy had his 4 month shots today. We gave him some meds a while ago and he finally fell asleep about 45 minutes ago. Now I'm trying to get my brain to shut down so I can actually sleep... Nothing worse than being tired an not being able to sleep when you're trying to fall alseep...

[isaac]

Great stuff Rod. I like facial hair although rarely sport it (other than a week of scruff between shavings). I often have chops for modern wear as well as for my 1790-1810 stuff. I have grown moustaches and stuff for portrayals but the wife says no for normal life.

A couple of thoughts----Miller painted guys at the rendezvous, where they had quite possibly cleaned up a bit. Out on the trapline, things may have gotten decidedly shaggy. I'm also reminded of the account books of Jed Smith's southwest expedition, where Jed and another guy were the only ones drawing shaving soap out of company supplies. Now, maybe everybody else had plenty of their own soap and didn't need to purchase more----or maybe they just quit shaving.

I have seen plenty of cases of unshaven in the Great Lakes when out and wintering. These guys almost ALWAYS shaved when they came back to civilization or rendezvous. Something to think about when at an event... what does that event portray. Also, there seems to be more hair growth among HBC than NWCo men (Great Lakes fur trade... not RMFT). This is from casual notice in journals and I have often wondered if there was a connect to their time with the natives. For much of the NWCo's years, intermarriage was allowed, not so much the case with HBC. Perhaps this has some connection.

I've used a straight razor quite often, and it's great at a fort or stationary camp---not so great on the trail (extra weight and paraphenalia, kind of a pain to shave out of a small kettle).

I too have used a straight razor a bit (exclusively for 3 years until I got a "real job"). I actually prefer a straight razor if I have the time, unfortunately time is limited these days. I agree that it is more of a pain on the trail. I would suspect, as Rod mentioned, guys shaved each other, maybe with one "specializing" in the shaving. Some of my pals and I have done this and it works well.


I

n the 1800-1830s era, bushy sideburns were pretty popular, and by the 1840s these were creeping down the jaw line---at least among the fashionable back east. It's interesting to see how fashions changed. We hear about the fur traders being clean-shaven because the customers (Indians) preferred it, but by the 1850s-60s, beards were all the rage--even among the fur traders. Couldn't have been hurting trade all that much, or they wouldn't have done that. Take a look at the various paintings of Alexander Culbertson to see a good example of this progression.

Great little run down.

BTW... here are some pics of my shaving Steve V. for a program I used to do at Grand Portage back in the day. I did a talk on grooming in the Great Lakes Fur Trade and it always ended with me shaving myself or one of my coworkers (this is the final time I did this... my last year working there).

[isaac]

[quote author=rod board=general thread=339 post=1703 Also, those short beards Miller shows might indicate guys being kept trimmed up with a scissor---a far more useful multi-purpose tool than a razor---and something that most would have had access to.[/quote]

Great Idea. Also... this short beard could simply be a week (or two) of growth between shavings. It was not uncommon to shave only once a week (maybe less in the bush) and this could simple be the scruff from the in between shaves period.

[Rod]

Now there's a trusting voyageur! You've a steadier hand than me, for sure. I've been bit by the straight razor before, and am well aquainted with the styptic powder.

Rod

[isaac]

I don't think I ever cut Steve... even with a dozen or so shaves. I HAVE cut Karl... but he has a very different face! Actually, I have had visitors make bets on whether I would cut myself or not when I shaved. Even had two guys once have a bet on who would say something or ask a question that would distract me enough to get me to cut myself as I was talking and answering questions while shaving. They were disappointed and there were no winners... ;D

[Leifer]

Thanks for sharing the pictures Isaac!