Thread: Traveling with a Straight

Do you travel with your Straight Razor?
If so, what the best way (or just your way) to carry if when traveling?

I do. In the 1970s and 80s, I travelled a lot and packed it in my carry-on luggage because it was never recognized for what it was. I wouldn't try that today. Since checked baggage can be lost, it's always an inexpensive razor that I can afford to lose. I have a small barber hone, travel brush and container of Proraso in my Dopp kit. On long trips, I also take a strop but on short trips I will strop on the heel of my hand or a newspaper.

Not really traveling, so to speak but I bicycle to work and take my straight along in my travel case. I store it in a plastic toothbrush container. The kind you buy at cvs. Keeps it snug.
Ernest

I would have to safely assume it has to go in checked baggage. However, I'll follow this thread closely for ideas too..

I have an old zip-close faux-leather case from an electric razor: I put my brush, razor (in old school toothbrush tube), and aftershave in that. I have a cool travel strop (from Francisco) that I roll up around the shave cream and hold with a rubberband.

Pretty small package overall, and has everything I need for travel. Safe and snug.

I travel with a straight or two stowed in my checked bag. I also use a TI travel strop and case that works just fine on the road. If I want to pare down even more , then the Feather does the trick.

I've travelled the US and Europe with a straight in a TI strop kit. The only problem was once, when post-inspection, the TSA git didn't put the razor completely back in the leather slip. It was open when I reached into the bag at the hotel. One of THOSE cuts. I felt the pressure not the cut. Fortunately, my survival kit includes superglue...now I use some blue painter's tape.

I've traveled Europe with a straight as well... in the checked baggage, of course. I use a cigar coffin (cigar box for a single cigar) to secure the razor(s) with a small clean rag in there to make sure is doesnt bounce around.

Usually a hotel will offer complimentary newspapers, so stropping isnt a problem.

A small barber hone or a finishing hone is useful if the trip is extended. I brought my chinese 12K along for the ride... but I was in Europe for almost 2 months so I felt I could justify bringing it.

The travel toothbrush container is a great idea.

I guess I was lucky coming through customs. My bags didnt get searched so I didnt recieve any 'suprises' when I unpacked.

I use a feather (Bill's old one ) for traveling: no stropping, no humidity issues, and no emotional attachment. Anything bad happens to it... tough luck.

The shaves aren't as nice, and I don't get as smooth as with a real razor. But I don't travel that much, and this is the most convenient option so I can put up with it. And the razor itself is quite good in terms of quality and ease of maintenance.

Originally Posted by Mike Blue

I've travelled the US and Europe with a straight in a TI strop kit. The only problem was once, when post-inspection, the TSA git didn't put the razor completely back in the leather slip. It was open when I reached into the bag at the hotel. One of THOSE cuts. I felt the pressure not the cut. Fortunately, my survival kit includes superglue...now I use some blue painter's tape.

Thanks for sharing that. If I travel with a straight now I'll put a bit a tape to hold the blade in place incase something like this happens. I wouldn't have ever thought of that unless it happened.