DE for Straight shaver for use whilst travelling?

Many of you may know me a long-time straight shaver. I've been doing this since winter 2005. First with a shavette, then a DE and eventually settled with a 'proper' straight 6 months after getting in to this whole thing.

I'm soon to be going abroad for a couple of weeks. I have a hand-held strop by Trumper and can't be bothered to take it with me: it's not the best thing to use and it tends to dull my razors.

So I was wondering if you guys can recommend a good, affordable DE razor to get my hands on and take with me. Not particularly looking for one that can be taken apart and put in a leather case. Just something sturdy that delivers a close shave that I can use whilst travelling.

I've had a look at my favourite (UK) stores and can see that Parker razors are some of the cheaper ones, with butterfly mechanism types around £20 (87R model). I previously had a Merkur which was the non-butterfly opening type. It was OK but sometimes difficult to change blades. On further digging, I've found the 34C is the most popular DE out there.

What are your thoughts?
Can you suggest a DE whilst living out of a suitcase? If so, which one?
Or am I being silly and should I just take a hanging strop and a straight with me instead?

Appreciate all your suggestions!

I could not be bothered taking a SR while travelling either so just take a DE instead. I really like the Merkur 37c slant and the Fine plastic slant for that purpose. Very efficient razors that give a close long lasting shave for me. Don't forget to pair any travel razor with a good shave stick too.

Bob

I, like Bob, use the Merkur 37c when traveling. It is light, handles well and does a good job. Just make sure to have the blades in a checked bag when traveling. Port security folks at airports don't like razor blades in carry on.

Thanks gents. Agree about checked luggage. Wouldn't have tried that with a straight either. More or less anything sharp here in Europe is a no-go.

Will have to check the 37c out!

So, to clarify if I'm reading this correctly: the 37C is a 'slant', meaning the blade sticks out a bit more than a regular DE? And this is better for my face if I have thick growth and/or sensitive skin? (I fit both those categories quite perfectly, so I'm intrigued already).

I bet BobH will jump in with a good picture. He had one posted earlier that really showed it. It is slightly "twisted" is the best way I can describe it. I find it a dream to shave with, not harsh at all.

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Originally Posted by rum

So, to clarify if I'm reading this correctly: the 37C is a 'slant', meaning the blade sticks out a bit more than a regular DE? And this is better for my face if I have thick growth and/or sensitive skin? (I fit both those categories quite perfectly, so I'm intrigued already).

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Fantastic! Would love to see pics, even though I placed my order for one a short while ago. Less than £30 for one of these. Hopefully it will mean I can shave comfortably for a little less effort. Straights are OK to take abroad, just not when you are taking the family with you and need to get ready quickly...

Could not find a photo of the 37c alone but this should give you an idea of the twist/torque applied to the DE blade by the head design of a slant.

Bob

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g2...pslh5kgx4b.jpg

Thanks, Bob; that's excellent! Now all I need to do is adjust to shaving with this a bit. Oh and RE shaving sticks I already have a Palmolive stick in the washbag as well as a small dish of the C&S Oxford and Cambridge soap.

Is the purpose for the slant head to create a slicing motion like guillotining with a straight razor?

Merkur 34C. Not the sexiest DE around, but the only DE you will ever have to own... Moderately aggressive, short handle, built like a tank.

The 37 will be a good alternative for traveling, have you thought of a Feather? I travel quite a bit on my bike so room is tight, really don't want one of my strops in the bags especially when it rains. But my FeatherRG and some blades take up no more room than a DE. And I get my straight azor shaves still. Just another thought. Tc

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Originally Posted by Leatherstockiings

Is the purpose for the slant head to create a slicing motion like guillotining with a straight razor?

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Yup, supposedly so. All I can say is that I do not find the 2 slants I have to be aggressive merely efficient so there might be some truth to that.

Bob

If I'm checking a bag I take a Feather DX Folding and a spare blade or two.
Put the DX in a plastic tooth brush holder and I keep a couple of blades in a dispenser (Feather Pro or Kai PINK) or tape them to card stock.

No strop, minimal maintenance and a fresh edge is only seconds away.
If you shop around you can find Feather Pro blades for $0.60 - 0.80 a piece and I've worked up to 15-20 shaves out of a blade.

You will learn what "light pressure" means in short order but the shaves are amazing.

Not checking the bag? It's back to the cart but I take a shave stick of Tabac or Palmolive and cling to every part of wet shaving I can.

Safe travels and Smooth shaving, no matter how you choose to handle this.

I have wondered that same thing and come to the conclusion is "sort of". The slant is so subtle it just adds a little angle when used. I find that if I do a cheek with one side then flip and do it again with the second side, I get a smoother shave. It could be my imagination, or just a 2 pass effect. Anyway, I find it very comfortable to shave closely with, when I SR isn't feasible.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Leatherstockiings

Is the purpose for the slant head to create a slicing motion like guillotining with a straight razor?

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When I travel, I use an old Superspeed I picked up for ten bucks, a shave stick (usually Arko), and a cheap boar brush which I keep inside a prescription bottle with some holes drilled in it. You might need to check on this, but I'm pretty sure you can't carry on any DE razor blades. They have to be in checked baggage, but things might be different elsewhere.

It's a crap shoot, but they will frown on blades being in your carry on, I solved it by just mailing my blades to the hotel I,m going to be staying or at a friends house, if all I,m taking is carry on. But then again a smaller Checked bag hasn't been a problem yet either. And it sucks but most drug stores do have DE blades( just not good ones ). Tc

Merkur Futur is a decent choice for a straight alternative. Muhle R41 is a fair choice also

In my view, a single edge razor such as a Gem micromatic or if you can find one, an Everready streamline, provides a shave very much like a straight razor. This is due to the stiffer blade.

Well my Merkur slant arrived at the weekend and I managed to use it twice already. All good so far. I managed to get some Feather blades so will give them a go on holiday. I expect them to be much sharper than the standard Merkur blade that comes with it. Very easy to use but you do need to go over with second and even third passes. It actually helps if your lather isn't too thick as well.

I'm looking forward to shaving with the DE whilst on holiday. Stropping does seem to become a pain when you are abroad with the family, so this is a welcome addition to my kit.

I have three straights and I will miss them, but it's only two weeks so I will be back!

May be a bit late, but an SE could be just what you're looking for. Vintage SE's can still be had for a song, and they are great shavers. My GEM 1912 is my go to on days that I don't use my straight.

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Originally Posted by rum

I'm looking forward to shaving with the DE whilst on holiday. Stropping does seem to become a pain when you are abroad with the family, so this is a welcome addition to my kit.

I have three straights and I will miss them, but it's only two weeks so I will be back!

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Replying to myself here, having returned from my holiday. The DE was a treat. I used the Palmolive stick for the entire time out there and the same Feather blade. My face has never looked so good - I even got told this by a male relative!

I am quite shocked at the difference, so I will now be reviewing all my straights and no doubt reducing my collection slightly. It's hard to belive after 11 years I am moving away from what has been a big hobby. I won't stop with the straights completely, just will tend to default to the DE as it is a cleaner shave and I don't have the time to keep maintaining my straights' edges.

It depends on the nature of the trip and who I am traveling with. A couple years ago I took a SR on a trip. It was my annual trip with a buddy of mine down to NOLA. Suffice it say we do some drinking on this trip. The day I tried to shave I had the shakes so bad I thought I was going to cut my ear off. This past trip I took a DE so I might not kill myself. But if I'm traveling with my wife, a SR.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rum

Replying to myself here, having returned from my holiday. The DE was a treat. I used the Palmolive stick for the entire time out there and the same Feather blade. My face has never looked so good - I even got told this by a male relative!

I am quite shocked at the difference, so I will now be reviewing all my straights and no doubt reducing my collection slightly. It's hard to belive after 11 years I am moving away from what has been a big hobby. I won't stop with the straights completely, just will tend to default to the DE as it is a cleaner shave and I don't have the time to keep maintaining my straights' edges.

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I can see why you will be defaulting to DEs. I learned to use a SR just to see if I could do it and wound up enjoying the process more than shaving with a DE. Being retired I also have the luxury of being able to enjoying a 1/2 hour leisurely shave every day. I would not have bothered had I still been working as I can get as good a shave from a DE in less time and maintenance. On vacation I default to a DE and shave stick for the convenience too.

Bob