Thread: Traveling with the straight razor

I travel a lot...as in 35,000 miles for the first six weeks of the year..
For the short, carry on only trips, I use the Storsven solution. Bring a travel Boar brush and a stick of Tabac but use a Cart (Mach 3). I find that with the Wet shaving habits, a good soap and stretching I can hang on to as many parts of Wet/Straight shaving as I can.

Checking a bag? - I have dropped my old system (2-3 razors, travel strop) in favor of either the Feather SS (fixed or folding) or a CJB clone of the Feather and 1-2 spare blades.

The Kit is smaller
If it gets lost or stolen it can be replaced with the exact same thing.
A pack of 20 blades (or 3 in the holder) takes up the same room as a pack of chewing gum - less if you tape a blade to a card.
Maintenance (pre and post shave) is minimal.
A perfect new edge is only seconds away...
Once you find the "Holder" (DX, RG, SS, Kai, CJB, Fixed, Folding) and blade (Feather Pro, Super, Guard, Light - Kai Mild, Mild Guard or Dorco to name the bigs) this is a great system. (Give it a week)

And if my travel has me going to the same place for short (carry on) trips I leave a Feather/Clone/Blades on site in a safe & secure spot.

This works so well that I often use the Feather SS for a work-day shave, great results in short order.

And I have to admit that I resisted trying the Feather because of the "slash and gash" rep that it had.
This was a mistake on my part. IMHO the SS is a good system even for starters (Pro Guard Blade) and anyone who is comfortable with a SR could master the light touch required in short order.

And of course...YMMV...

No one had any problem with customs/security when traveling with a straight razor?
Some friends where going on an exercise in Australia, no problem to get their assault rifles and hand guns in... but no knives at all!

Originally Posted by Lemur

No one had any problem with customs/security when traveling with a straight razor?
Some friends where going on an exercise in Australia, no problem to get their assault rifles and hand guns in... but no knives at all!

That figures the airline security is ridiculous with its disparities.

Originally Posted by Lemur

No one had any problem with customs/security when traveling with a straight razor?
Some friends where going on an exercise in Australia, no problem to get their assault rifles and hand guns in... but no knives at all!

That is more than just a little schizo.

Bob

Originally Posted by Lemur

No one had any problem with customs/security when traveling with a straight razor?
Some friends where going on an exercise in Australia, no problem to get their assault rifles and hand guns in... but no knives at all!

In much of Asia/SE Asia (Hong Kong, Singapore, Jakarta from experience) carrying what would be a "normal everyday - I am naked without my".. (insert name of assist opening pocket knife like the Kershaw 1620ST in my pocket now)...is a felony.
I've never seen Straight razors on the list of prohibited items.
The entry forms not only list "firearms, explosives, ammunition" as prohibited but also "knives, swords"
My read has always been that the shaving equipment would be ok as long as its checked.

But I now leave the knives at home, bring some kiddy scissors for the miscellaneous cutting that I would normally do with my knife.
And I bring a small tactical flash light (and have spares stashed in all my bags) with me at all times.

Safe travels...

Bespoke travel set
1. Dr Bonner's Peppermint Soap - bath, hair, shave, tooth paste.
2. Tooth Brush
3. Parker clone Shavette
4. Pack of Derby 1/2 Blades
5. Alum. For face and Deodorant

Most of my traveling is done by pickup, so weight and some restrictions aren't an issue. I carry a loom strop with one side pasted for touch ups, and for the most part took my Dovo bq as my road razor, though it had a hard time getting through a full two week hitch (though that may have had something to do with me thinking that AC preshave gel was actually shaving gel). I have begun carrying a cased pair that I got a good deal on as back ups.

For flights, I just check my bag and use the Dovo or a WB club. I'm not in a hurry, so I can deal with the hassle, plus Westjet allows a free checked bag.

Wow, I feel like a heathen. I travel 2 weeks per month, one week at a time and usually only pack my SR, a travel brush, and a stick of Arko. I usually strop with my morning newspaper and call it good.

When I travel its usually 2 weeks or less. I always pack 2 straights and make sure they have good edges prior to travel; an SRD modular paddle strop, a small synthetic travel brush, and a tube of cream that face lathers well (currently TOBS Mr Taylor). Also have a styptic pencil and some type of AS packed as well.

I just dry the straight on towel, wipe it down with a tissue and put back in a leather travel case and never had any problems.

Originally Posted by Johnus

Bespoke travel set
1. Dr Bonner's Peppermint Soap - bath, hair, shave, tooth paste.

Would that be the bar or liquid? it sounds like magic and I am looking forward to trying it.