Favorite travel kit recommendations?

[mrob]

So, I'm packing my kit for a long-awaited vacation/family reunion at the beach. In the interest of packing "lite," I stow away my most pared-down equipment stash--Vision in leather travel pouch, SR101 brush in pill tube as travel case, Nancy Boy travel shave cream, sample of T&H ultimate comfort AS balm, small atomizer of Thayers witch hazel, T&H limes cologne 10ml sample. All in all, a decent, if not spectacular collection--but seriously lacking in variety.

Just before I pull the family truckster out of the driveway with 2 boys and lovely wife aboard, I see the mailman drop a small box in the mailbox. I waffle for a moment on whether to retrieve the mail or get on the road, then decide to get the mail. I'm sorting the junk from the mail as I return to the house. . .

"when what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a miniature box full of shave cream samples--oh dear!"

Yes, the box of samples from my friend Kyle had arrived at the most opportune time possible, and in the perfect form factor--a small box, immaculately packed, and jammed with not 1, not 2, but 6 assorted samples of luxurious shave creams--T&H limes, Taylors rose and avocado, and several more that I'd been itching to try.

Needless to say, my vacation kit instantly went from spartan to sybarritic. My first shave was with the Taylors avocado, and it was just as good as all of the reviews I'd been salivating over--excellent as advertised.


And a fun side note: I introduced my oldest nephew to wet shaving! He's a sophomore in HS and a great kid. He's been using an electric and was going to use a Fusion for hist first "real shave" while at our family reunion. I cringed at the thought and offered to let him try his first shave with my Vision, Taylors avocado, my SR101 and a nice after shave. Needless to say, he had a great experience and wants to know more. I promised to bring him a starter kit as a present when i visit next week--here's what I'm thinking (its all in my current backup stock):

razor--Gillette Fat Boy adjustable with a pack of Merkur blades

brush--Omega boar brush

cream & after shave--Chas. Tyrwhitt Lemon & Cedar

I think it will represent a decided improvement on his current "kit"--a Fusion and a can of Edge--yikes.




This leads me to my question: What would your ideal travel kit consist of?

The guidelines: the kit must include the following items--

1. a razor

2. a brush

3. shave cream or soap

4. after shave

Feel free to include a cologne or other items, too.

Looking forward to seeing what you all suggest as the perfect travel kit!

[Kyle]

What would your ideal travel kit consist of?

The guidelines: the kit must include the following items--

1. a razor

2. a brush

3. shave cream or soap

4. after shave

Feel free to include a cologne or other items, too.

Looking forward to seeing what you all suggest as the perfect travel kit!

Razor - I would have to pack 2. First, I would bring my slant bar. As a back up, I would have to pack the HD.
Brush - T&H Turnback (I don't have one yet, but it's on the list)
Shave Cream - Sample containers are invaluable. I like to pack a different cream for each day that I'll be gone.
Aftershave - atomizer of Thayer's, Proraso pre/post
Other - Pinaud Shave Talc

I can travel a little bit heavier than the average guy because I don't have to pack a comb, shampoo, or other hair products.

[roughrider]

I can travel a little bit heavier than the average guy because I don't have to pack a comb, shampoo, or other hair products.


The benefits of shaving your head. Also, the wind never messes up your hair. :lol:

[JohnP]

I know it may be a little extraneous, but I have done much travelling with the Men-U shave kit, it's about the size of a hardback book. Includes cream (which I happen to like) brush, brush stand, face wash, and moisturizer, with a pocket for a razor, blades, etc. IMHO it rocks.
Or....you can replace any of the items with whatever you like. The kit is small. If you prefer your own dopp kit, there is PLENTY of room for throwing other goodies in there as well, as the bottles from Men-U are small pump bottles.
John P.

[Kyle]

John, can you post a pic for us?

[DoubleE]

John, can you post a pic for us?

Kyle:

I think this (http://www.menessentials.com/oxid.php/sid/52c2db341dd531fc86f2d816469d9602/cl/details/cnid/e5e40abcd5de2cee0.49336562/anid/d20418fb8eabb4cc8.40336419) is the one he's talking about.

[KUJO]

Interesting and timely post for me.

See my SOTD (http://www.badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?p=28264#post28264)post for 30 May.

This is a test drive travel kit for me (4 days on the road). I'm gearing up for a 3-4 week stay overseas around the 12th, so I'll see what I'm missing from this trip and will be sure to re-check this post in the coming weeks.

[joel]

I'll echo my love of Men-U products.... really first rate stuff.

[Kyle]

Kyle:

I think this (http://www.menessentials.com/oxid.php/sid/52c2db341dd531fc86f2d816469d9602/cl/details/cnid/e5e40abcd5de2cee0.49336562/anid/d20418fb8eabb4cc8.40336419) is the one he's talking about.
Thank you, sir.

KUJO, that is a LONG trip. I would take a whole extra bag for shave goodies.

[KUJO]

Thank you, sir.

KUJO, that is a LONG trip. I would take a whole extra bag for shave goodies.

I'll have to. I'm going to a place where men's shaving and grooming is not encouraged and actually frowned upon (and it ain't Idaho).

[Kyle]

I'll have to. I'm going to a place where men's shaving and grooming is not encouraged and actually frowned upon (and it ain't Idaho).
Kansas?!:lol: :lol: :lol:

[JohnP]

Yes that is EXACTLY the kit I have, although I splurged for the synthetic brush, and usually carry it vice the bristle brush in the regular kit. I like the kit a lot. Not because it is stylish (it isn't) but because for me, anyway it works. I even like the way the stuff lathers. Add that it packs VERY well, and it's a no brainer.
If you don't like the way the bag looks, everything can go into your regular kit with plenty of room to spare.
As for razors, anything you like should do. There will be room for it. I have packed a straight with one of Tony Little's Hone-strops, I've packed a gillette adjustable DE with 2 or 3 packs of blades, I've even had a (GASP!) cartridge razor thrown in there. A tube of a cream I particularly like at the moment often also gets thrown in (Musgo Real, Crabtree&Evelyn, Trumper...whatever...just to change things up) But if you bring a cartridge razor, make sure you can get replacement cartridges wherever you are going. DE might be a safer bet if it is overseas. It would suck to have a Fusion handle and the only refills available are for MachIII or Quattro's..... There ALWAYS seems to be DE blades available, on the other hand.....
John P.

[LX_Emergency]

I've never seen any store sell a DE blade over here though.....I just bring a straight...no blades needed :) (never pack it in the hand luggage)

[guenron]

I'll have to. I'm going to a place where men's shaving and grooming is not encouraged and actually frowned upon (and it ain't Idaho).
Austin Texas?

[Austin]

Austin Texas?

No, Norman Oklahoma. :biggrin:

[mrob]

Now, now gentlemen. . .its not as though your two cities or university sporting teams are rivals, so let's not behave as though this is some sort of shootout (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_River_Shootout) or something.:biggrin:

[guenron]

No, Norman Oklahoma. :biggrin:
Strange you should mention the WET SHAVING MECCA of THE WEST in the same post as the home of the enchanted one.:lol1:

[JohnP]

LX_E,
No DE blades in the stores there? that does suck. Where our friend Kujo is going, however, I have a feeling is a little more arid, maybe a lot of sand, type environment...or maybe Canada...
And you can pack 100 DE blades (in 10 pack cases) in about the space it takes to store a tube of toothpaste....
Not knowing which "non-Idaho" location he is going, I cannot tell any farther what is available locally...
Kujo, you know you could just have fun with your "Grizzly Adams" experiment...its only a few weeks, right?
John P.

[slcsteve]

I'll have to. I'm going to a place where men's shaving and grooming is not encouraged and actually frowned upon (and it ain't Idaho).

Afghanistan?:117:

[guenron]

Afghanistan?:117:
Is that near Austin, TX?:lol:

[Stan-The-Man]

Don't forget dental floss, toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant and comb pack it all in a Dopp bag. Keep your bag just for travel don't use the products at home because you will surley forget something. Also an eyeglass screwdriver (for men who where glasses) and nail clippers. :redface: :redface: :redface: :redface: NOW, WHAT I FORGET?

[mrob]

SNIP...Keep your bag just for travel don't use the products at home because you will surley forget something.SNIP

GREAT point! I just got smart to this strategy after forgetting my toothbrush on a recent trip--fuzz mouth. . .:mad:

[slcsteve]

Is that near Austin, TX?:lol:

Ron.

No, your thinking of Agfanistan.:a3:

[Stan-The-Man]

On my next trip I will most likely leave my Dopp Bag at home, than stop at a drugstore buy a disposable razor and a spray can of foam lather.:frown: :frown: :frown:

Maby even use my wifes fou fou ros but women's spray deodorant.:blush: :blush: :blush:

[KUJO]

Not knowing which "non-Idaho" location he is going, I cannot tell any farther what is available locally...
Kujo, you know you could just have fun with your "Grizzly Adams" experiment...its only a few weeks, right?
John P.

Well just because the locals don't shave much, doesn't mean I'm going to give up one of my favorite hobbies.

This will surely be the test of, "What would I bring if I were stranded on a desert island".

Right now at the top of the list are sample size tubs of:

Taylor's Avocado
Taylor's Shave Shop
C&E Nomad
Proraso

[NMMB]

I've been watching this post since it started and thinking about it; what WILL I bring? You see, I am going to be on the road for more than a month this summer (late July to late August or early September) and I don't have any idea how I am going to be able to bring enough goodies with me to survive. It wasn't an issue the last time I traveled, since I wasn't into this whole wetshaving thing at that time... So far the only things that I am certain of are:

- Proraso tube & balm (the "milky" stuff)
- Thayers W/H (both Lemon and "super"... will have to leave the rose at home as SWMBO hates it and will be with me on this trip)
- AOS lemon cream (I've tried it twice now, and I love it despite the price)

Now, the important question will be, how much more gear can I stuff into my bag?

[Kyle]

If your travels take you near a shaving retailer, then adding to the stash while on the road is a must! It is almost as good as seeing the UPS/Fed-Ex/USPS truck pull up in front of the house.

[mrob]

Ditto--on my last 2 trips I made special arrangements for a. a barbershop shave (relaxing but not a great shave), and b. a visit to the Nancy Boy brick and mortar store in San Francisco--a pilgrimmage to the mothership! Made a MAJOR purchase and had all the stuff shipped home--great service at NB!!!

I was with 4 or 5 of my doc students on the trip where I got the shave, and they were actually impressed--especially the women!--when they found out I had treated myself to a shave.

[NMMB]

My Travels will be taking me to a rather large rock just off of the coast of North America; Newfoundland, my home province (to avoid any confusion, Newfoundland is actually a part of Canada and a part of North America). As such, it is very unlikely that I will find ANY place where I can purchase ANY decent shaving supplies [note: if you are from Newfoundland and know of great places to shop, please let me know]... so, I must be completely prepared and take everything that i will need for up to 6 weeks. I think that i'll need to get a bigger bag, or maybe just a second bag.

[KUJO]

My Travels will be taking me to a rather large rock just off of the coast of North America; Newfoundland, my home province I think that i'll need to get a bigger bag, or maybe just a second bag.

You know for a 6-week trip, it's a whole different ball game. And of course it matters whether you are driving or flying. If you drive, you've got all sorts of packing options. Flying, you're tight for space.

For my 3-week venture, I bought a 4-ounce bottle at the local health food store and will decant some Witch Hazel into it, a few small (1-oz) bottles for ASBs, and a little cologne variety. For shave creams, I'm going to decide on 4 creams to bring and will rotate amongst those. Not sure what to put them in yet though. I'll stick to one razor and a 10-pack of feathers, and my $35 C&E Best Badger brush

[NMMB]

Well,

We will be driving (about 2,700 km - each way) so I won't have the same space restrictions that I would have if I were flying; but space will be limited. There will be 2 of us (myself and SWMBO) traveling in a Honda Civic and we will be bringing most everything that we will need for our wedding (except for my tux - that I will pick up in Newfoundland... wait, did I mention yet that the purpose of the trip is to get married?), plus everything that we will need for camping (in case we need to pitch a tent for a night) as well as all of the clothes, etc, that we will need for a 6 week trip. I may well end up having to hold my shaving gear on my lap while we drive. :tongue_sm

[mrob]

If space is really tight, and you have a place that you'll be using as a "home base"--parents' or in-law's house?--maybe you could ship some stuff ahead so it will be waiting when you get there, then ship it back home after the wedding. Just a thought. . .

And, congratulations on the impending nuptials!

[Jonnybc]

I got a set of Magellan Travel Bottles (http://magellans.co.uk/store/Toiletries___Kits___ToiletriesTP442N?Args=) into which I decant my favourite products at the time. It cuttently has:

Larger Pot - Trumper's Rose Shaving Cream
Smaller Pot - Some Dax Blue
Flip top bottle - Trumper's Limes Shower Gel
Flip top bottle - Head & Shoulders Lemon Shampoo
Green top bottle - Listerine
Red top bottle - Trumper's Limes Skin Food

I also carry:
Merkur Futur.
Dovo Travel Brush
Small sewing kit
Small Manicure set
Kent toothbrush
Tube of Euthymol Toothpaste
50ml Blenheim Bouquet EDT

This all gets stowed in a Daines & Hathaway Roll Up Wet Pack (http://www.gentlemans-shop.com/acatalog/daines-military-wetpack.html#a398)

[KUJO]

Well Gents to revive this thread a little I finally decided on what to take for a 3-week overseas trip. Comment on what you like and leave the rest.

First off, I said screw it and decided to just put shaving gear into a separate "Shaving Kit" and pack all other toiletries into another travel kit. Bottom line; 2 small kits, with one dedicated for shaving stuff. The cost--I ditched a pair of shoes from the main bag to make room for it--well worth the price!

Contents as follows:

C&E Best Badger Brush
Merkur HD
10-pack of Feathers
Tub of C&E Sweet Almond Oil Shave Cream (I've bought 4 of these lately--$7 at TJ Maxx! Had to take it)
Sample-size jars of:
Taylor's Avocado
Proraso
Taylor's Shave Shop
Tube of Nomad
4-oz plastic bottles ($.50 at Target)

Thayer's Rose Witch Hazel
Aloe 80
Jojoba Oil
Sample jars of ASB

Baxter's
Caswell-Massey Sandalwood
Sample vials of colognes from Trumpers, Truefitt & Hill, and my own decants into empty vialsAll in all, this'll get me by with no problem in the desert for 3-4 weeks. The whole thing is smaller than a pair of loafers.

Hajime!

[Simon]

I've been wondering what to do when I'm going on vacation next month. Dopp makes some nice bags, but they don't have those strap-in features like the vintage shaving kits on eBay. Aspinal makes an amazing bag, but no strap feature for the blade. Coach also makes a nice looking leather bag, but also no straps.

What kind of bag are you using to transport you dearly loved shaving kit?

[moses]

Well Gents to revive this thread a little I finally decided on what to take for a 3-week overseas trip.

WOW, that's a lot of stuff. I might have mentioned that I'm a pretty obsessive light packer. Here's what I would take far a three week overseas trip.

- Razor. One that I don't worry about get tossed around a little.
- Pack of blades.
- My smallest brush. (23mm Shavemac - but thinking about getting a little travel brush.)
- 1 tube of shaving cream, probably Floris, because the tube isn't too big, and my face really likes it. Possibly T&H, because the tubes are smaller. Priority given to partially used tubes, for less weight. (Any shorter than three weeks, and I take exclusively the appropriate number of sample containers to get me through.)
- Sample sized (about half an ounce) bottle of Nivea balm, and approximately the same size bottle of splash (Musgo, Aqua Velva, Cade - something like that). If going to a warm, humid climate, then only the splash. If going to cold, dry climate, only the balm.
- 1 or maybe 2 cologne decants. The little plastic ones, not the larger blue glass bottles.

That's it. Anything more is a waste of weight, for me.

Short trips were I can pack everything in a carry-on, I switch up by taking a cartridge razor. And also ditch the brush and go brushless. Only one sample bottle of aftershave, and one, or if needed, two, sample containers of brushless friendly cream.

-Mo

[FrankB]

Unless I'm not checking bags through, I bring one of those little 3-piece Gilette travel razors with a spare wrapped blade in the little vinyl zip case it came in. I have the small-size 75g (?) Proraso soap tub, a travel brush in a plastic screw-top tube (which I drilled a bunch of holes so I can put the brush in damp and it dries out), and small plastic squeeze bottle of Baxter of California A/S balm plus a little bottle of cologne, either one of the Burberry scents or Grey Flannel (they had some 1 oz bottles at TJ Max's for half price). And a little piece of stiptic pencil, just in case :biggrin: