Thread: TSA, Travel, and Straights

I did a little search on travel, and got several opinions about traveling with a straight. Also, many threads were from a few years ago.

I live in Southern California, and I know that the TSA here have been arrested for many stupid things, including smoking pot on the job in front of security cameras, and a crime theft ring where an entire house was filled with stolen items from checked baggage such as laptops, digital cameras, video cameras, etc.

Needless to say, I don't trust the TSA. They're not all bad, but their bad reputation precedes them. Expensive or valuable things go in carry-on, but straights can't.

That said, some people travel with a straight, some don't. Some use DE. I recently flew for a family reunion thing, and just took a regular cartridge in checked luggage.

Has anyone had a problem with shaving equipment going missing by TSA or airlines? Straight, strop, brush, hones, etc.?

If traveling, do most guys use a regular strop, or a paddle strop? Take hones or just hone before a short trip? Brush and soap/cream I've got down, as I've been using those for a few years now. But anything other than cartridge opens a whole new world, and I'm curious what other guys do.

If there's an existing thread that I missed, a link is appreciated.

MarkC

Just pack your razor kit in the luggage you check...no problem...I've packed brush, small strop, three straights, soaps, AS, and never had a problem...just can't bring it carry on....my experience at least. Never had anything stolen or broken...mind you, anytime I pack anything, I expect to lose it...so obviously the kit I packs is strictly "B-Team" stuff.

If I pack a straight, it's not a one that I would be too upset if it came up missing. Mostly though when I travel I just pack a DE and don't worry about it.

I would get a nice, but cheap one off ebay and clean it up and hone it for travel. That way no real loss. I usually find travel as excuse to break out my Grandfathers 1911 SE. Blades go in checked bag and razor in carry on so I don't have to worry about it. I find for travel just bring a brush and a cream. That way any mug will do whip up and go. Oh and balm for after shave.

I just pack multiple razors in a roll for quick trips without a strop when I am checking. To other points above, I don't pack any razors I will miss (antique store finds that are good shavers but of no tangible value) and leave it at that. I haven't had anything broken or taken to date and I travel domestically pretty extensively.

I take my Feather blade for travel. No need for a strop and I just just face-lather so no bowl to bring along.

Last time I flew a month ago I checked my bag with a DE, brush, bowl, soap, and aftershave. No issues but I only check stuff that I wouldn't be devastated losing.

I only travel with a setup I won't miss, even if I check my luggage. No need for me to take expensive stuff on vacation. I never had problems with TSA, so I can't help you on that department.

Rule of thumb, if you are going to miss it, don't bring it!

95% of my travel is business and seldom for more than two days so I just take my Schick injector. I don't check bags. Even during my 50-60 trips to Asia and Eastern Europe.

When we travel for leisure, I don't shave!

When I travel, I take my Feather DX or my Merkur Futur. If there are loose blades, I have a brass Gillette blade holder I put them in. That was a suggestion from a TSA agent I spoke to. If the razors are checked, there should be no problem. Keep in mind, at each airport, you may have different requirements by the agents.