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

I've been a member of this forum for about three years and really haven't talked much about myself, except that which pertains to shaving, but I wanted to get some feedback.

Basically, I worked in IT (computers) for many years, lost my job, and couldn't find another one in that field. So this summer I went to truck driving school and next week I begin that career. I will be driving as a member of a two-man team and will basically be living in a truck most of the time.

I have a passion for straight razors and would sure like to continue using them. Obviously I wonder if I can. A few months ago I took a pleasure trip and had no problems, but from now on I'll be in cramped quarters and on the road all the time. I won't shave in a moving truck, but will have to in places like truck stops.

The question is, has anyone here done that before, or know someone who has? I have been trying to think about space, stropping, and shaving. I bought 3-4 Dovo Best Quality razors over the past few months so if they are stolen I won't lose my nicest ones.

What do you think about a truck driver straight shaving?

I have a good friend that put together a straight razor traveling kit for the road and he was an over the road driver. I would bring a travel brush, a couple razors in tooth brush holders or something like it, and something like the DR Harris soaps in the plastic tubes plus a splash that you like. While your driving around the country, stop by the house when you can for a hand shake, cup o joe and even some honing if you have time.

Have fun.

I also work away from home. My to go razors are a pair of henkel friodurs. I thought they would require less care in a marine environment. I have no problems. You should encounter no worse than small bathrooms and perhaps lack of time. Have fun and good luck with the new work path or road as it is.

I work as a railroad engineer. I strop my blades before I leave the house. No problems here.

I work away from home for a couple weeks at a time, I have 2 straights in my bag and one in my console, some customers are picky, have had to shave in a rear view mirror before. I have a small brush that I use when time permits, as well as a look strop with a pasted side for tune ups. Creams are obviously easier than soaps when there are time constraints. This setup has worked well for the last year or so.

Hmmm... sounds like an AlembiCase and paddle strop are in your future?

Also, I dunno if you have tried or like Arko, but I'd say get a stick and an empty twist-up deodorant tube from amazon (or, if you shoot me your address I can send you an extra that I have). I did this to my Arko stick, and it works pretty well.

You may want to think about getting a DE just in case you're someplace that you'd need to be quick or that might be a bit sketchy.

And, as a general rule, get some sort of sanitizing wipes/lysol/etc. to clean around where you'll be shaving. As a courtesy to the next driver, you could also clean up after yourself.

Oh, two words... Barber's hone. Or, even better, a strop-backed hone.

With all that and your AS of choice, you could most likely get by.


By the way, if you're going to make it through/near Atlanta, hit me up and we can at least go have a meal and beer!

An alembicase would be nice, but not a necessity. The plastic Dovo BQ boxes work good. I've driven plenty of roads that could qualify for Ice Road Truckers, with a soft sided duffel bag and my razors are unharmed. Driving highway miles, you will be fine with the stock boxes.

Wow, great suggestions, all of them. Toothbrush holder for razor, cream in a tube or stick, travel brush, paddle strop.

I had to laugh at myself when I read the suggestion about the toothbrush holder because I had bought one for my toothbrush and didn't think of using one as a razor holder. But it fits like a glove.

Thanks. I'd hate it if I couldn't straight shave.

I'd also enjoy meeting some of the members when I get on my feet.

I was a otr driver for a long time loved it ... i took some razors with me otr ... the problem isnt theft atleast my rig was never tampered with i lost a blade to the 6 foot fall to hell (poor case clasp fell out when i grabed it from the seat) most good truck stops have a rewards program i got got 2 free showers with a flying j/pilot fill up and there showers are startin to become realy nice and are private and yours till your done so cramped shaving nope time not a problem and they are always very well cleaned (atleast the ones i stoped at) ... down to business i carried a DD a devo classic and a wade and butcher with me i bought a mirror hook the ones with a suction cup and carried a ausi custom strop took a large coffe mug to save my scuddles lol and rubber banded a old lid to it from a small butter tube i think lol and a travle brush is a must i tried carrying a nos old spice badger brush and quickly desided on the turn back style brush ... pack bags i have a laundry bag a clean clothes bag and a shower bag ... mines just a lil bigger then most drivers lol ... it also made it easier to carry a change of clothes in the extra room in the bag ... just set up your toiletries and your desired road razors and start thinking it will click lol takes planing to get what you need and want into a few bags and a small truck lol

I made a case from a thrift store jewelry case and some bits of foam. The whole shebang cost about $11 and will hold 3 razors. I made the slots in the foam with a soldering iron, though they are a bit rough, and the fumes were awful.
Sorry thought I'd add a piccie of how my 3x26ish" roo strop travels.