Thread: Hi, straight razors, and travellers

Hi from Australia, been reading the forum for a little while. Waiting on my first purchases for straight razoring to get to me, and looking forward to trying the hints people have given for starting out.

I'm curious about a couple of things:

a) how many people here use safety razors (vintage or otherwise) at least occasionally?
b) do people travel with their straight razors?

I'm a fairly frequent traveller, and I like to travel with only hand luggage. I am guessing I have a snowball's chance in hell of getting a straight razor through airport security, hence question a). What do the most devoted straight razor devotees use when they can't get a straight razor?

Edward
PS I'll customize my profile later
I also like pipes, cigars, martinis, tweed jackets, anything most people consider uncool

a) I use my double-edge razor regularly. Good for clean-up work around a beard or goatee, and when there's not enough time for a straight-razor shave. A new DE blade is sharp enough for me.

b) Put the razor in your checked baggage - that should be no problem. Straight razor in hand luggage -- NO! I don't know if they'll let you fly with double-edge blades in hand luggage, but I doubt it. Even a short "blade" is trouble. The 9/11 hijackers, if I remember right, used 'box cutters' -- blade about as long as a DE blade.

Charles

otsheylnik,

I used to shave exclusively with my straights, but now have one or two shaves a week with my vintage safety razors - usually my GEM/Ever-Ready SEs.

I find this makes for a very pleasant change

Most of my business travels have been in the UK by road; the only destinations I have flown to on business have been in Europe, and I put my razor & strop in the checked luggage.

Luckily I haven't had a problem (yet !!) with this !

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

G'day otsheylnik. Welcome to SRP.
Can't help with any travelling advice & not into tobacco or tweed but I think Martinis have to be cool or they taste wrong

a) Most people here use straights, but some use DEs as well.

b) Just make sure its not in your carry on bag, and you should be fine. If you are really worried about having your straight taken away, you can either get a cheep, no frills razor for traveling, or even a feather shaver (straight that uses DE blades).

I leave the cutthroats at home mainly because when I am travelling my time is usually limited. I have an old Gillette Ball End Tech which I have packed and ready to go. I think many of us use both DEs and cutthroats.

Gentlemen:

I always take in my wet pack two straights and a backup Merkur travel double edge. Of course, the razors, plus a 2-inch Tony Miller horsehide strop with string attachment, are checked with my luggage.

Regards,

Obie

Originally Posted by welshwizard

I leave the cutthroats at home mainly because when I am travelling my time is usually limited. I have an old Gillette Ball End Tech which I have packed and ready to go. I think many of us use both DEs and cutthroats.

You carry them checked in?

I think my post is answered in that I probably can't get away with even carrying a DE in hand luggage.

Damn regulations these days...

otsheylnik,

I would always check any razors, whether straight or safety, blades etc, as it really isn't worth the possibility of confiscation or worse

My Mother-In-Law, who is 78 and 4 ft 9 " tall, had her eye-brow tweezers confiscated at London City Airport ! She had them in her make-up touch up bag in her carry-on.

Have fun !

Bets regards

Russ