Thread: Shaving with a straight razor......on the road

This all easily fits in a dop kit, with little or no risk of breakage:

2 razors, in coffins
roll-up Roo Hide strop, in 3" plastic container
4x6" silicone cloth, in ziplock bag (razor wipe)

4oz shaving gel, in plastic bottle
shaving soap stick, in push-up tube
small travel brush, in plastic tube
2oz witch hazel, in plastic bottle
2oz AS, in plastic bottle
2oz moisturizing cream, in plastic bottle
1/2oz tube antibiotic cream
styptic pencil

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optional additions (if you have room):

razor hone or leather & stone combo paddle
full-size linen/leather strop, carefully packed
shaving soap or cream in a travel bowl

I've never tried straight razor shaving in a truck stop, but this has worked
for me in train stations and airports.

Sorry meant to say good luck in your new job.

Grate the soap of your choice into a cup a sixed Rubbermaid container. Carry a leather thong to tie your strop to the towel rack. Mission accomplished. Ya got your soap, ya blades and your strops. Vacation accomplished.

I cut the snot out of my cheek the first time I shaved away from the home mirror. It was weird to shave in a different place. Ah well, I healed fast and it was just a nick, a long one, but not fatal. Get a small sturdy mirror you hang anyplace; that takes care of some travel "situations". I travel a lot and settled on a small case that carries two razors, roll-up strop + thong, travel brush, small tube of cream, styptic pencil and a refillable squirt bottle of witch hazel. Works great. Holler me up if you get to Lizard Lick, driver. Happy trails.

I like that toothbrush holder idea... thx.

I wish you the best of luck in your career. I've been driving for twenty years and have not enjoyed it one little bit.
One of the few joys on the road is finding a good shower with room and time to get a good shave in.
I shave with straights and the only real problem I've found is the water. Some places have kinda warmish water and some have nice hot water. Some have soft water and some have really hard water.
It's tough to find just the right combination.
Being a team driver may throw another wrench in the mix. Room is at a premium as is time. Someone is always in a hurry while the other wants to relax.
Good luck.

As an international traveler always take a small bottle of water with you. For some reason the water quality seems to hit the lather hard in my experience and this gives you consistency wherever you go. Also suggest you think carefully about the aftershave scents as you don't want to choke out the other driver who might not appreciate a strong say Sandalwood scent for several hours.

Here's a pic of my leather travel roll made to look like something a cowboy would keep on the back of his horse. Keeps everything very well protected and can be hung from any towel rack. Good luck and don't let life on the road keep your eye from what's important in this life.

First of all, thanks for all the great suggestions. Here's what I came up with:
(1) SRD Paddle Strop. Both sides are magnetized. It came with 1 leather, 1 rough leather, 2 felt (one to use with diamond paste) with material on the back to attach to the magnet. I purchased an additional leather piece since I am notorious for cutting and nicking. Stropping area 12" long, 3" wide.
(2) Side view of strop. On the ends are magnets. The rest of the slit area is hollow.
(3) Pencil case from Hobby Lobby. Denim material, zips shut. Cost $11.99.
(4) Inside of pencil case. Elastic holders for razors. I have 4 Dovo Best Quality 5/8 razors.
(5) Diamond paste for one of the felt strops and QED shave sticks.

I tested the strop this morning and it worked like a dream. No difference from a hanging strop. My hanging strop is English Bridle and the SRP leather looks and feels exactly the same. No movement with the strop pieces, the magnet holds them firm. It is light in weight and I don't have to support it while stropping. Just hold with one hand and strop with the other. Don't have to restrict the length of my strokes at all. Compact and 3" wide so I don't have to do the X pattern. No learning curve.

I haven't come up with a travel brush yet, will probably use an empty prescription bottle with a regular brush if the size is right. That will be the next project.

Didn't use the razors, I still have to tune them up.

The shave sticks have a little softer soap than an Arko or other conventional stick, so it is a little easier to use and eliminates the need for a shaving mug. I'm a cold water shaver so nothing to worry about with regards to hot water.

I did a dry run with another razor as if I was confined to a truck stop or gas station without the comforts of home and got a BBS grade shave. I could use this stuff at home without sacrificing any luxury. Really excited about this new equipment!

Thanks again for all the help! I wouldn't have thought of these things without the membership's suggestions.

Originally Posted by CaliforniaCajun

I haven't come up with a travel brush yet, will probably use an empty prescription bottle with a regular brush if the size is right. That will be the next project.

First of all, congratulations on your purchases! Use them well, with success and enjoyment.

Secondly, about on-the-road shaving brush storage: I found that a cardboard toilet-paper roll works best -- it protects the brush and absorbs the moisture left in the bristles (even vigorous shaking won't get all of it).

Again, enjoy! (and smooth shaving!)

Originally Posted by JBHoren

First of all, congratulations on your purchases! Use them well, with success and enjoyment.

Secondly, about on-the-road shaving brush storage: I found that a cardboard toilet-paper roll works best -- it protects the brush and absorbs the moisture left in the bristles (even vigorous shaking won't get all of it).

Again, enjoy! (and smooth shaving!)

Wow, I wouldn't have thought about a toilet paper roll. Where do you come up with these ideas?

One thing I just thought of, which was kinda touched on already...

Since you're a cold water shaver, before you set out, try buying a few bottles of water that is well known in the US like Dasani or Aquafina and test shave with them. Since they'll pretty much always be available at a truck stop, you'll always have the consistency.

Also, I just checked a VDH boar brush for size. The tubes your shave socks are in appear to be the same ones I bought for my arko stick. If so, once you empty one you can fit the brush in it. It's snug, but if you sand the handle just a tiny bit, it'll come out easy, and the brush is $10 or less, so no big loss if it's ever lost/damaged/etc. You just have to snap out the threaded rod in the middle of the tube.