Hello, Johshb:

My friends Shooter and jhenry offer good suggestions. I have that Merkur travel razor and it's probably the most compact double edge razor you'll come across. I've replaced the shave head in mine with one from the Edwin Jagger 89 — but that's a personal choice, since I'm not all that fond of Merkur razors. Take along some Derby, Personna "red packs" and Gillette 7 O'Clock "sharp edge" in the yellow packets. Those will give you a a good variety, and they are good blades.

Two straight razors will work nicely. I also recommend keeping a beater around, something like the Monsieur Charles, which is a straight razor with replaceable blades and uses mini-Personna injector blades. You never know when you might need it.

If you wish to step up in price for the brush, try the Edwin Jagger travel brush — I believe it's in pure or best badger — in an aluminum tube casing. It's a good brush.

For soap, try Mama Bear, a glycerine based soap that comes in a travel jar with twist top. Something like that would be ideal for warm weather, although Afghanistan can also get quite cold in winter, depending, of course, on where you are.

Take some aftershave balm, too. That works quite well in dry weather. Nivea has an acceptable variety and reasonably priced. It seems to be scent-free, too. I'm not sure I would use fragrant aftershaves. I never did in Vietnam.

Aside from that, my good friend, stay safe, and keep the you know what lower than the you know what.

Regards,

Obie