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

My travel kit depends on how long I'll be gone. Strictly on the shaving end of things, here's how I have packed.

If it's less than a week, I carry 2 straights in a durable container (like a toothbrush case), a tube of shaving cream that I can face-lather with (no mug). Often if I know I have a trip coming, if I'm at the end of a tube, I save it for the trip. I take a tiny container of pre-shave oil, styptic pencil stub (when they break they go into the travel collection), a tiny tube of a good moisterizer, and a small container of my favorite after-shave. I also carry a travel strop I made when my regular strop got frayed at each end, but had about 12-14" of good leather in the middle. I sprayed the "rough" side of the leather with a diamond spray. I also like to pack a compact double-edge razor, don't really know why. I have a little stand that holds a brush and razor that disassembles and fits nicely into my very small zipper bag.

On longer trips but less than a month, naturally I use larger containers for my pre-shave oil and aftershave, plus a barber hone. I add my favorite aftershave balm to the kit as well. I often go overseas for 3 weeks at a time, and this is the kit I take.

Well, today's the day. I'll see how I'll fare and probably learn a few things about preparing for a trip with this one. Thanks to all for the meaningful suggestions and Happy Labor Day!

Good luck, brother, and here's to smooth travels! Report back in when you can, and I was serious about if/when you come through Atlanta (assuming you're able to take the time).

Good luck and all the best! I'm also on the road about half of the year though with me it's mostly in planes/hotels. Tried taking a straight, strop, brush etc but in the end it was too much of a hassle for me, mainly due to time constraints. Nowadays I use a DE for on the road shaving although sometimes I can't resist the urge to take along my favourite Iwasaki and hand strop it. Main 'problem' for me is getting the brush to dry in time. And I'm in perpetual fear that someday my luggage (can't keep it in carryon) will be stolen, would really hate that because I'm very attached to the Iwasaki and as it's a tamahagane version it can't be easily/cheaply replaced anyway.

Originally Posted by xenophon

Good luck and all the best! I'm also on the road about half of the year though with me it's mostly in planes/hotels. Tried taking a straight, strop, brush etc but in the end it was too much of a hassle for me, mainly due to time constraints. Nowadays I use a DE for on the road shaving although sometimes I can't resist the urge to take along my favourite Iwasaki and hand strop it. Main 'problem' for me is getting the brush to dry in time. And I'm in perpetual fear that someday my luggage (can't keep it in carryon) will be stolen, would really hate that because I'm very attached to the Iwasaki and as it's a tamahagane version it can't be easily/cheaply replaced anyway.

You are a much braver man than I. I have my luggage in my truck or in a hotel room and I won't even ponder bringing my Iwasaki.

Originally Posted by Thisisclog

You are a much braver man than I. I have my luggage in my truck or in a hotel room and I won't even ponder bringing my Iwasaki.

No, I'm just a fool for taking the risk. It's not the money that would vex me in case of theft (have special insurance as in my line of work expensive suits are more or less required and that suitcase usually contains about 7000 EUR worth of stuff) but the fact that it's my favourite and bloody hard to come by. Worst thing that happened so far was a hotel employee who managed to slice up his hand on it, despite the fact that it was lying in the -open- box with a note 'Hotel staff: Please do NOT touch or move the razor or its box in any way'. Got him a couple of stitches and instant dismissal.