Thread: straight razors on vacation

Hi all,

I have started shaving with a straight razor (a sight unseen deal from WhippedDog) far about a month now and my shaves are getting to the point of being acceptable with no more irritation then using cartridges.
Now, I'll be going away on holiday in mid april and I'd like to bring my razor with me. I will be flying with Emirates from the Netherlands to Dubai (I'll stay there one day) to Japan, where I'll be staying for four weeks. I will then continue to Thailand, from where I'll travel through Cambodja to Vietnam in order to fly back to the Netherlands.
I'm not sure how strict airport security is, nor am I familiar with the laws in said countries regarding cutthroat razors, so I would like to know if my razor might be taken from me by security/police personnel, rf whether I could get in trouble having one in my suitcase while traveling.
Does anyone have any experience with transporting a razor in their check-in luggage or with carrying a razor in the countries I'll be visiting?

Any additional tips on razor transportation would also be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!
alfeo

P.S. I'm not sure if this is the right subforum for this thread, so if I made a mistake, I apologise.

I had no problem taking knives overseas in my luggage. Just do not try to carry it on, and accept the fact that ANYTHING can be taken out of your suitcase at ANY time. If you are not ok with that risk, do not bring it!

I figured as much and I'm still not sure what I'll do. I'm also a bit worried about central Asia. Does anyone know whether I could get in trouble for transporting and using such a razor?

We're no experts here. If you are traveling and want to know call the consulate in your country and ask them. Then you'll know.

Not sure what the local laws are, but can't see a razor being contraband. Just pack it well in your suitcase and don't worry about it. Thats what I would do.

Don't bring it in your carry on.

If you ask the embassy, for liability reasons they will say do not bring it. You are going to spend all that time abroad, just realize they can make your life difficult if they want, whether or not you have a straight razor packed in your suitcase is not going to be the cause of it. Maybe someone has been to the specific countries mentioned and can elaborate.

Originally Posted by Vova

I had no problem taking knives overseas in my luggage. Just do not try to carry it on, and accept the fact that ANYTHING can be taken out of your suitcase at ANY time. If you are not ok with that risk, do not bring it!

Originally Posted by jeffegg2

Not sure what the local laws are, but can't see a razor being contraband. Just pack it well in your suitcase and don't worry about it. Thats what I would do.

Don't bring it in your carry on.

Ditto to the above. It's not a weapon, it's a piece of personal grooming equipment. So long as you're not waving the thing around in public, I would think no one would give a damn. Put in in you check in luggage and with some airport approved luggage locks (not that that will prevent theft, but it means that only airport personnel will be able to open the locks without having to break them to steal you stuff.) I have never had anything stolen from my luggage, but I may have just been lucky who knows. Theft would be my biggest concern over the legalities of my razor in a foreign country.
As was stated already, we're no experts here.

Mick

Originally Posted by Vova

Just do not try to carry it on, and accept the fact that ANYTHING can be taken out of your suitcase at ANY time. If you are not ok with that risk, do not bring it!

+1. Probably a big reason why I have no problem taking a DE with me on my travels instead of my straights.

Thanks for the insights! I guess I'll just risk it. I don't want to go back to a cartridge for two months after having shaved straight for three.

I don't know what the laws are but common sense says if it's in a case with shaving soap and brush that you're carrying it as a tool and not a weapon. At least it gives a plausible reason to have it. The question is do customs officers have common sense?