DE motivations vs. straight razors

All,

I have been toying with the idea of picking up a DE razor and blades just to give it a try. While there are lots of options it doesn't seem to approach the lunacy I have enjoyed with the world of straights!

For the actual questions... I have really been looking at these since it seems easier to travel with them. Unless the TSA has really lost it's mind, there is no need to check your shave kit, unlike traveling with a few straights- correct? I have never had issue with actually using a straight when traveling (the set-up and such) but having to check my razors has always been a source of contention for me. It is a good excuse to ride my bike or drive to wherever, but sometimes flying is unavoidable.

I am just curious what other motivations folks have to use a DE vice a straight. I really can't see much time savings since I can shave quite quickly if need be with a straight, but time-savings is not a real motivator.

The other questions revolve around the actual shave, but I would guess a search here would reveal plenty of opinions. :argue:

I use mine for travelling and that's all. The main detractor is that it's just not anywhere near as fun. On travel, the shaving goes back to being a chore (unfortunately).

I have not traveled in a couple of years but I hear that it costs $20 to check a bag now-a-days. I assume a straight (or even DE/SE blades) would need to be checked. Doesn't this make traveling with straights or even safety razors pretty much a lost cause if you aren't checking a bag for other reasons?

Most of my travel has been short term and I have been able to hold everything in a carry-on.

Bob, speaking from experience, you are OK travelling with DE equipment. I carry a toiletry case, and in there I keep a merkur 33c, a 5-box of blades, a brush, and a tube of cream (speick usually).

The thing about the merkur is that it breaks down into a stem and head and doesn't look like a DE anymore (via the x-ray screens). I break it down when it's not in use and it probably just looks like a hunk of metal or a pen or something. Razor blades are razor blades, but I don't know how the TSA expects people to shave while they're away if they can't bring shaving equipment. So far (4-6 trips with carry-on) I've been good with the DE equipment on security scans.

Hope this helps.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TexasBob

...Most of my travel has been short term and I have been able to hold everything in a carry-on.

---

That is one of my motivations. I travel light and could easily get what I need into a carry-on but razors are another story.

This was illustrated when I was deployed. On my way back, it would have been easy to just travel with one small carry-on to avoid the baggage check and the nonsense since I had to change carriers. The issue was that I had to grab a checked bag then re-check it for the connection once I got back to the continental US.

My other worry is theft with a checked bag. None of the razors I take are particularly collectable, but they are custom in the fact that I found them and restored them with scales I made. It is less the intrinsic value than the point that my razors are mine and are individualistic. Sounds silly to some, but the folks here understand I'm sure...

Maybe I can work out a temporary swap with a DE user for a straight to see how I/we like the "other side" before taking the plunge... :hmmm: Just looking at travel options.

That's good to hear. I instantly assumed that DE blades would not be allowed in carry-ons and have to be checked. Glad to hear from someone with first-hand experience that that assumption was mistaken.

Of course, after the Detroit incident the other day, they may tighten restrictions even more...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RMC_SS_LDO

All,

I have been toying with the idea of picking up a DE razor and blades just to give it a try. While there are lots of options it doesn't seem to approach the lunacy I have enjoyed with the world of straights!

For the actual questions... I have really been looking at these since it seems easier to travel with them. Unless the TSA has really lost it's mind...

---

You think Those Stupid A**holes have a mind? You're much more charitable then I am. Anyway, I was surprised that you could carry razor blades on the plane with the fear mongering that's been going on about sharp objects, and officially you can't.

TSA: Prohibited Items

I guess it depends on if you get a screener with common sense enough to know that you cant do anything except get beat to a pulp or shot if you were actually dumb enough to try to take over a plane with a razor blade. More likely they'll just miss it while confiscating your sprite..

"Razor-Type Blades - such as box cutters, utility knives, razor blades not in a cartridge, but excluding safety razors."

I would think a DE constitutes a safety razor?!

Hell, I'm pretty safe with a straight (unless provoked)... I'd think that would count too!!
:tameshigiri:

v/r

Allen

This thread reminds me of why I stopped flying shortly after 9/11, not that I am afraid of being on a plane with terrorists, but that I was sick of being treated like a criminal. I was also sick of seeing cute little 10yr olds being searched for contraband. I think that driving fits me better any how, I am always taking the short cut(all mine usually take longer than the regular route and are way more scenic), I also try to avoid interstates and now that I have discovered the slow but enjoyable way to shave(str8) I am coming to the conclusion that the things that take longer are far more enjoyable. Quanity reduces quality but saves time, quality increases time but the time spent in finding/enjoying quality is well spent imo. :soapbox:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jasongreat

I was also sick of seeing cute little 10yr olds being searched for contraband.

---

My 85 year old mother got searched. Shoes off, spread-eagled. We had to hold her up. She couldn't even stand up without her walker or other assistance so we checked the walker and moved her about the airport in an airport wheelchair so it's not like she was doing a Day of the Jackel kind of thing and had a gun camouflaged as a walker. She only weighed about 88 pounds so she couldn't be hiding much! She turns 89 in January and doesn't do any flying anymore.

Motivations?

For me, straight shaving is much more "involved" and I find straights infinitely more interesting than DEs. DEs have a history of course, but straights have a much longer and more colorful one.

Also, I take a great deal of pleasure in the fact that I am maintaining a shave-ready edge myself as opposed to just popping another blade into my SuperSpeed. There's a much greater sense of accomplishment with a straight compared to a DE.

Besides, IMO, straights yield a closer and longer lasting shave than with a DE. There's both an upside and a downside to that: If you enjoy shaving, you don't have to shave as often. That statement therewithin contains both the pros and cons. I CAN shave with a straight every day, but I far prefer shaving every other day as the shaves are just somehow better that way.

In reference to traveling, I don't travel very much, so I don't have an opinion on that...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RMC_SS_LDO

"Razor-Type Blades - such as box cutters, utility knives, razor blades not in a cartridge, but excluding safety razors."

I would think a DE constitutes a safety razor?!

Hell, I'm pretty safe with a straight (unless provoked)... I'd think that would count too!!
:tameshigiri:

v/r

Allen

---

Oops, my mistake (and an ironic one at that). I think I read up to "razor blades not in a cartridge", and stopped. Confirmational bias in action.

Well, lets hope that no group of nutters hears about this, or we'll soon hear about the "dangerous things that the government allows on flights". Intentionally allows, that is...

I haven't been on a plane since '96 so I can't speak to the issue of transport but as far as shaving with them, a DE with a good blade is fine to shave with. I like the Merkur Slant with a Feather blade or a Gillette Swede. If I didn't have a straight razor to shave with the DE would be my second choice. Here is a photo of a couple of rare (I think) Merkur Slant travel razors. One would fit in a watch pocket. BTW, if you have a problem with RAD be aware that it is the same with DEs if not worse. :)

Shaving with a DE is like driving a well made and expensive automatic family car where as shaving with a straight is like driving a high end sports car. But then shaving with a mach 3 is like driving some cheap piece of crap that was made in Korea in the 80s.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RMC_SS_LDO

Maybe I can work out a temporary swap with a DE user for a straight to see how I/we like the "other side" before taking the plunge... :hmmm: Just looking at travel options.

---

I have picked up some WONDERFUL Gillette DE's for next to nothing. I nabbed a '48-'50 Aristocrat a bit ago for $5 at a flea market, and subsiquently got the best, closest shave that I have EVER had. Given, I have not shaved with a straight as of yet, so I am sure that statement will change soon. I hope to be shaving with a straight very soon. I am sure that I might look upon DE shaving as unfavorably as some straight users do some time down the road, but as of right now, I love my shaving ritual using a DE.

Let me know if you are unable to find anything. If I can look around here and grab something to help you out I would be more than happy to do so.

One can always consider a straight razor that takes disposable blades. That is what I use when I travel and loan out to friends who want to try straight shaving. I get BBS results from the el cheapo ones as well as the more expensive one.

Ever since I have been using a straight razor, my standard for a good shave has skyrocketed.

Pabster

My sincerest thanks! I have received some fine shaving gear from very kind folks here. I haven't tried the DE just yet; seems odd for now but I guess it is no stranger than taking up a straight! :chop:

Thanks!!

Allen

Jimmy - that travel Slant is SWEET!!

I've got a Merkur HD and a Slant as well as my straights - never tried to travel with any of them, though - was always worried about either having to check my bag or getting them confiscated, especially going through Europe.