Thread: Good DE for travel and beginner clean up

Originally Posted by porridgeorange

Interesting you should say that about travel. I've heard some folks had straights confiscated going to Toronto (which is where i go for work mostly). I currently have only one straight and would very much like to keep it. I figured with a DE the worst that could happen is I'm out a few blades. I should probably inquire with the airlines to see what the actual policy is, but in any case I would still like a DE for cleaning up my still sub par shaves and for eventual use as a shaver for the occasional "running late need a quicker shave scenario".
Thanks all for all the help, it's very refreshing to join an existing community that actual welcomes newcomers' questions instead of reacting to them like a fart at a funeral.

Don't take my experience as law. I was always worried more about the airlines losing my luggage than taking it....so when i travel I take my $5 antique store purchase. BTW...welcome to SRP...people here are awesome!

Originally Posted by porridgeorange

Thanks all for all the help, it's very refreshing to join an existing community that actual welcomes newcomers' questions instead of reacting to them like a fart at a funeral.

+1. The only other forum I've found that's this helpful to noobs is Lumberjocks. And they deal in sharpness too. Hmmm. Maybe people with an appreciation for blades is the common thread?

Originally Posted by volleykinginnc

Just curious why would a DE be better to travel? You can't take the blades on your carry on so if you pack it in the suitcase why not throw in a straight? I took 2 straights and a strop all across Asia last year without any problems. Straights are small and the strop when laid flat takes up even less.

I've heard that sometimes the str8's get stolen.

Having said that, I do not take my str8 on the road due to all the other stuff required. I just purchased a Gillette Fat boy adjustable DE and used it twice. I purchased Wilkinson blades from Walmart for $1.86 for ten. Gives a nice shave and is easy to use.

I will be traveling with the Fatboy on Friday. Why the Fatboy? Simple it was manufactured the same year and quarter I was born.

Enjoy

I usually travel with a Merkur travel DE. It is small and cheap.

Thanks everyone for all the help! I looked at reviews and what not for all of the DEs you guys have mentioned and decided to go for either the Super Speed or the Tech. I liked the idea of an adjustable but it wasn't a deal breaker and the two other Gillettes seemed like the right combination of mild shave (for my sensitive skin, and noob technique) price and quality. I will probably get a Merkur at some point but many reviews mentioned they were a tad less forgiving than the milder Gillettes. I currently have a bid on an eBay auction so hopefully I'll have shiny new toys soon. Thanks again for all the help and wish me luck!

Best of luck and many happy shaves ahead!

IMO unless it's a $90 Edwin Jagger or a $200 Feather, any kind of DE is good for travel. I wouldn't risk losing an expensive or heirloom razor, but the majority of them are reasonably priced, compact and light. What more could you ask for?