There are a number of acoutrements of our addiction to straight razors; hones, brushes, strops, creams, mugs, soaps, etc.. With all this stuff, it is tempting to just toss an electric razor in the bag and forget about straights when traveling. But can we do that without risking severe psychological damage?
I have shown to my satisfaction that I can dispense with the strop, and get by with just honing my razor. http://straightrazorpalace.com/showthread.php?t=7098
Another thread discusses the water shave. http://straightrazorpalace.com/showt...ighlight=water I tried this and found that I could indeed shave with just water. It's not the greatest, nor the most comfortable shave, but it can be done.
So I can now propose a minimal traveling kit, sufficient for months or years on the road.
1 - Straight razor, with a rubber band to keep it closed.
2 - Hone, with a rubber band to snug the razor up to it.
That's it. It fits easily in the Dopp kit, and takes less room than an electric razor. If you have mastered the water shave then any soap, conditioner, oil, or cream encountered in your travels just makes the shave easier. Hotel rooms usually have soap, conditioner, and shampoo that can be used for a shave. Cooking, light machine, or mineral oils are easily acquired and can be used to lubricate the shave.
If you want to expand your kit a little you can include one of the tiny commercial bottles of shave oil.
None of us probably want to give up our luxurious creams and badger brushes on a long term basis, but isn't it nice to know how little you can get by with? If you're going round-the-world with just a backpack you needn't devote much pack space to shaving equipment.
My Swaty hone is kind of hefty. Any ideas for a good fine honeing instrument that is lighter than a Swaty? We may be able to reduce the minimal kit a bit more, yet.