Thread: Straight razor transport troubles for beginners, Help!

Hello everyone

I am not a total noob but I am not an expert neither.
I started to shave with my straight 5 months ago and I get used to it, almost no nicks on the beginning and a lot of BBS, but as was expected, I lost my muscular memory in shaving me with the regular razor cartridges.

On my work travels (to US) I did not transport my straight with me, instead I bought a cartridge and shave, but as said I lost my muscular memory and I cut myself now and then with the cartridges, fortunately for me those travels lasted less than a week. So I returned home (Mexico) and returned to the straight and everybody happy.

My trouble now is, I will travel to US for job reasons (by bus to clarify), and I will be there for two to maybe six months, and I want to take my straight with me (Boker edelweiss with bone handle), but I do not want to have any trouble in the border.

My question; is legal that I transport my shaving equipment with me? (Especially the razor) I gave a good look in CBP page and I have found nothing about it. Is forbidden a lot of things: bombs, drugs of course, firearms, Cuban cigars, exotic species, but I did not found in any place if is forbidden to transport a straight.

Can somebody help me please? I do not want that the border officer take my straight from me.

Or if anyone know of another way to transport my straight to my final destination? Like send it to a family member in US by mail and that he send it to me. I did not found the forbidden items policy in different companies of delivery.

Thanks for your time and have a great evening.

What I would do(personally) If costs allow, just ship it to your destination previously. Postal Service up here doesn't have a problem shipping straight razors, so just give that a shot!

Originally Posted by parkerskouson

What I would do(personally) If costs allow, just ship it to your destination previously. Postal Service up here doesn't have a problem shipping straight razors, so just give that a shot!

Great idea! Much easier than calling ANYONE in DHS to get a straight answer.

I've crossed the border a couple of times with straights and never been hassled. Here are a few tips:
1) Straights always travel in checked baggage
2) Always bring 2 in case one gets dinged
3a) If you can afford it, get a synthetic strop as they don't warp and straighten easily
3b) If you can't, put it in a rigid case (folded piece of cardboard will keep a leather strop reasonably straight if packed on the bottom of the suitcase)
4) Bring a 60cm/2' piece of rope to allow you flexibility for hanging the strop
5) Eyeglass cases are great for transporting straights
6) Synthetic brush dries quickly

Invisible Edge do a great travel strop which I have and travelled with.

Invisible Edge Products

I haven't had any experience with a straight razor, but I have never been hassled with a filet knife when crossing into Canada for the occasional fishing trip. If they ask if you have any sharp objects, I would be honest about it. I don't see them giving you a hard time though, if you've traveled before and don't have any previous instances with sharp objects (legally) you should be fine!

It's mostly them watching your behavior anyway. Someone acting nervous or trying to dodge questions is far more likely to be hassled than a person who's obviously used to having and using a straight razor.

The US is a bit obscene with entrance requirements ... so it is probably best (if you're anxious about border checks) to mail it ahead.

Hello again everyone.

I am now in the USA, and I send my straight by mail, the policy are different from company to company but UPS let me do it for 40 USD, the only thing to accept the delivery was to declare everything on a list and a price for every item, they tried to charge me some taxes but I send it as a gift to my uncle to avoid those taxes (as a matter of fact they believe I want to sell it in USA). But everything OK.

Thanks to everyone, By the way DHS do not allow to send sharp objects no matter what.

Regards

Saul Villalon

Another way to handle the problem:

. . . Buy a Shavette.

You can travel with it anywhere _if it doesn't have a blade_. And you can buy DE blades in many pharmacies.

. . Charles