Thread: 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.

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.

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... 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...

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!!


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.

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.