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Shaving
German soldiers were expected to be clean-shaven and neat at all times except when in active combat. One of the first things a front-line soldier did when he had the chance was to clean himself and have a shave. Shaving was typically done by the soldier himself but some units had skilled men who were barbers in their pre-service life who would cut hair and shave men for a fee. Men on leave would often go to get themselves professionally shaved before a big night on the town.
Shaving was typically done with a double-edged, single blade "safety razor." These were typically privately purchased items and might be made of steel, pot metal, or even bakelite. Some soldiers who were more skilled as barbers may have used straight razors to shave others though they are rare in the photographic record in photos where soldiers are shaving themselves.
These photographs were taken from a number of online sources and auction sites. They are presented here for educational purposes.

























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