Straight razor shaving in the Philippines

[Danseph]

I'm moving to the Philippines for about two years and was wondering if anyone knows what kind of SR supplies I would find there, what kind of shops and basically, what would I need to acquire that I won't find there.

I've searched the forum and people talked about knife laws (yes it is permitted to bring a SR in the country), but I didn't find anyone sharing their experience once they arrived.

Thanks a lot for your help.

[coachmike]

No idea what you will or will not find there, but as long as you have internet, the world is yours.

[Danseph]

Yeah, I know, but shipping charges and custom fees put a real damper on things. Furthermore, there's a part of the Philippines that's supposably famous for its sharpening stones (Batangas) and I was wondering if anyone had knowledge on this.

[ndw76]

I don't know about the Phillipeans, but here in Thailand the Thais aren't able to grow enough facial hair to support a shaving market. The only shaving stuff that can be found here is the M3 and goo in a can.

Things may be similar in the Phillipeans. But you could have a lot of fun looking for and playing with exotic hones.

[Danseph]

I am unfortunately very very much afraid of that. My brother in law doesn't shave, he plucks the three facial hair that grow every month using a pair of tweezers...

I know they have a Crabtree & Evelyn and barbers that use straight razors according to my wife, but I haven't seen anything on the web that would resemble what Lynn started in North America.

Now comes the question: What to buy before I go (in a week and a half)

My current setting is: Dovo 6/8" half-hallow in good condition, but could use a touch up
A decent strop with minor lacerations (it was the one I started with)
An Edwin Jagger best badger brush that's losing a bit too much hair for my taste

I was planning to get clubman aftershave and a H.L. Thater Silvertip Shaving Brush 28 mm. I have a budget of $200 (Canadian - I live in Toronto).

I decided the brush was a more important investment than a new strop or a new SR, however, I am happy to hear your opinion on the matter.

Thanks to everyone who replied so far

[ndw76]

Things I would stock up on before leaving would be things that run out. Think soaps, creams, and aftershaves. You could get by with one good razor, a strop and a brush. Then there is always the internet. If the Phillipeans is anything like Thailand small packages marked shaving equipment seem to slip past customs.

[Swerve]

I've been checking out info on balisongs or Batangas' (butterfly knives). I have seen on a few different sites that in the Philippines, where balisongs were made, they used to have functioning straight razor balisong knives. So if u happen to come by one would you let me know how much it costs. Just curious.