Hi All

I just got back from a week travelling around Italy on business, and I thought I would share my straight experiences with you.

I took a basic kit with me;
7/8 Clauss razor (Giveaway winner)
4/8 Solingen generic (very good little shaver)
Muehle pinsel travel brush
Tabula Rasa shaving soap
Bottle of aftershave
Girlfriends "secret formula" moisturiser/balm
Solingen generic leather/linen strop

As I was in Italy I did buy some Prorasso soap (€1.25 for a tub) and there was a special offer on Alum Blocks, but I have yet to try that.

The first day was a disaster - my aftershave had come open in the bag, and my strop was soaked in aftershave. The bottom third was unusable. I had to dry it out carefully, but this still left the bottom third in a state.

4 nights, 4 different hotels and 4 shaves later, my face is still alive to tell the tale, and although I never got BBS on any of the shaves (single pass wtg and a bit of touch up if required) I was able to shave enjoyably and without injury every morning.

Lessons learnt;
Shaving in strange bathrooms was fine, and in fact I found the little shaving mirrors with the magnifying side to be really useful - I may have to get one for my bathroom.
Take only as much aftershave as you will need, not a full bottle, in a sealable container.
Next time I will take a stainless steel bowl for soap, as it was cold every morning.
SAD, RAD, HAD, CAD and all the other AD's get you wherever you are in the world.

Travelling with a straight is easier then expected, and on a business trip like I generally have, you need something to look forward to when waking up, and it makes for the perfect start to the day.

Si