Thread: My dilemma

I am new to straight razor shaving - my dilemma is that I travel frequently and not sure if I should take my straight razor along or not. I know the razor has to be stropped prior to use but don't want to take along my 3" wide strop with me. Do I need to just get over my fear of bring it with me when I travel so I can straight razor shave every day and start perfecting my technique. I know they make travel strops that are thinner and smaller - guess I am afraid of ruining my straight razor.

Recommendations are greatly appreciated.

Mike

From what I've read on here, a lot of people who travel take a paddle strop with them.

A paddle strop or a travel strop along with either a leather case or a toothbrush case to hold the razor would be a good place to start.

I have used a 2" strop and wrapped it loosely inside a spare belt in my bag. Didn't have a problem with that.

You could also do a set of razors so you have one for each shave and strop at home.
Or you could do a Shavette (Dovo has options to use their long blades, long personna blades or a DE blade snapped in half)
Or a Feather AC
Or DE
Or wax your face before traveling
Or hire a manservant.
Personally, I'm a fan of the manservant idea but in too cheap. So I usually travel with my Shavette and a DE and if I'm doing carry on only I either send blades to the hotel or pick up some cheap Wilkinson Sword blades at the local wallymart.

Welcome - It's all a matter of if you travel carry-on only, or if you check in a bag or two. I guess what really matters is how long your trips usually are.

If you are traveling carry-on only, you are out of luck with a straight anyway. If you are packing a bag that you intend to check in anyway, laying it flat at the bottom of your bag first before packing isn't a big deal. But stevieb is right. Many travel with a paddle strop.

YOu could always get a shavette with disposable blades for traveling. That will be my next investment.

If you travel frequently a small paddle is a good investment.

I have done some travelling with a straight razor and the Poor Man's Strop from Whipped Dog. It's small enough (and cheap enough) to put into my luggage. I put a string on the top, and hang it from hotel bathroom door handles for use.

But mostly, I travel with an empty Weishi DE razor (carry-on) and blades (checked). If the razor is lost, no big deal.

. Charles

Thanks for the advice - great idea on bringing multiple razors or to get a travel strop to bring along.