Travel Questions

**jordancrowder** · 01-23-2011, 08:41 AM

I am new to DE wet shaving, haven't fully mastered the art yet but I am seeing benefits right off the bat.

What I want to know is what people to to travel with DE safety razors, the TSA website says that they are not allowed on Carry-on luggage, yet I've seen some people say they've traveled with them, some say they get guff from TSA agents, but eventually get through.

What's the solution? Thanks!

**djh** · 01-23-2011, 08:47 AM

I haven't read the text of your regulations over there, but I believe that it is quite OK to travel with a DE razor in your hand luggage in the USA but without blades. That means that you will need to check a bag with blades in it, or buy blades at your destination. If you are checking a bag anyway, it is probably a lot less grief to check your razor too.......

**Elecid** · 01-23-2011, 08:51 AM

Originally Posted by djh

I haven't read the text of your regulations over there, but I believe that it is quite OK to travel with a DE razor in your hand luggage in the USA but without blades. That means that you will need to check a bag with blades in it, or buy blades at your destination. If you are checking a bag anyway, it is probably a lot less grief to check your razor too.......

Absolutely. I've had people take my razor out of my bag and ask me what everything is. I explained that it had no blade, and it was okay. But what a hassle!

Fly Southwest and check your bag for free.

**npsarros** · 01-23-2011, 08:52 AM

You cannot carry blades. Everything else is OK, BUT:

I have been stopped to have a bag opened when I traveled with a Razor that does not dismantle. Other members have had there brush show up on the x-ray as a liquid.....

**Mako72** · 01-23-2011, 09:11 AM

You can buy blades at most pharmacys(walgreens, CVS, etc) or I have read here of people mailing some ahead to the hotel and asking they be held. You can take them checked as well. I'm sure we have some folks that travel regularly that can help more.

Jay

**mblakele** · 01-23-2011, 10:22 AM

I think http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/index.php/Air_Travel already says everything I might say.

**ackvil** · 01-23-2011, 11:37 AM

Originally Posted by mblakele

I think http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/index.php/Air_Travel already says everything I might say.

+1. I end up checking my bags as a general rule. If I don't have a carry on, I mail the blades to the hotel I am staying at.

**Luc** · 01-23-2011, 11:50 AM

Originally Posted by mblakele

I think http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/index.php/Air_Travel already says everything I might say.

+1

You can bring the Safety Razor with you as long as you don't have the blades. Have some mailed to you, buy some locally or mail them yourself.

**jordancrowder** · 01-24-2011, 09:20 AM

Thanks everyone for the help. I really appreciate it. I'll most likely pack my razor and blades with checked luggage if I'm traveling for long periods. And put a cartridge razor for overnights/backup in case my checked luggage gets lost.

**nehpets4627** · 01-24-2011, 10:43 AM

I haven't traveled for business since going DE, but I'm a carry-on only kind of guy for trips as long as 5 nights. I know I will be traveling again soon and somewhat frequently so I've already formulated a plan.

- For short trips (1-2 nights) I'll likely go with a BIC Metal or Sensitive (both single blade, no lube strip, and fixed head) along with a $2 barber supply synthetic brush and puck of VDH.

- For trips up to 5 nights I'll likely mail 2 blades ahead (standard enbelope, taped between two business cards) to the hotel. I don't have one yet, but I plan on getting a 3 piece razor (probably a Tech, but maybe an Old Spice #909) whic I'll pack disassembled, maybe even going as far as packing each piece-part in a seperate part of my luggage.

I try to keep my travel toiletries to free samples and travel-sizes, mainly because I have a track record of leaving things behind in hotel bathrooms, TSA bins, and airport lounge showers. My current planned kit comes in right at $5 in out-of-pocket value, with $4 of that being shaving related ($2 brush, $1.50 VDH, $0.50 BIC Metal). That said, I may throw a small tube of Proraso (C.O. Bigelow) or KMF in for longer trips, especially if the latter is particularly cheapo-brush friendly.

**jordancrowder** · 01-24-2011, 10:48 AM

Where do you find a $2 brush?

**nehpets4627** · 01-24-2011, 10:53 AM

Originally Posted by jordancrowder

Where do you find a $2 brush?

Local beauty/barber supply store. It's worth about $2 as well. Unfinished wood handle, probably a 16mm knot, and absolutely zero bloom. That said, it was great for experimenting with while waiting for a real brush to come from Amazon and now resides in my shower with some VDH and a Metal for when I'm in a rush. It does the job with easy soaps and cremes, so I really can't fault it. I haven't tried it yet, but something tells me it will get along particularly well with KMF (which is why I mentioned KMF possibly making it into the travel kit).

I went back and bought a second to keep in my TSA travel bag, again, mainly because I lose things and don't want to be out much to replace.

**The Count of Merkur Cristo** · 01-25-2011, 05:31 AM

Jordan:
I just keep all my shaving tackel in my checked bag(s), because I never travel with just a carry-on.

Christopher

**insomniac** · 01-25-2011, 05:46 AM

Razor: +1 for using a Bic disposable or two. Finding blades locally can be a crap shoot, though the Walmart Wilkies are supposed to be decent.

Brush: I just bring my Tweezerman now. It's compact and does the job. It's inexpensive so no big deal if I lose it.

Soap: Shaving sticks are your friend - they don't have to fit into the "liquids/creams" baggie, you don't have to worry about leaks, etc. Some soaps come in travel-friendly containers: Pre de Provence comes in a metal tin, for instance.

Or you could use small tubs of shaving cream...

A/S: I find that liquids have a tendency to leak, even when put into a custom plastic bottle. I like Pre de Provence balm, since it comes in a metal tube and has yet to leak on me. Plus it's good stuff.

**luvmysuper** · 01-25-2011, 05:57 AM

Check a bag.

If it's a personal trip - fly Southwest (free baggage)

If it's a business trip - Baggage fees are reimbursable expense.

Don't be the guy with a huge carry-on in one hand and a laptop bag in the other that takes all the overhead space, delays my getting on board and getting off the plane because his time is so much more important than mine that he can't check a bag.

An added treat?
You can take some very nice stuff with you on a trip if you check a bag, like an extra pair of shoes, or a few changes of clothes so you don't look like a ruffled muffin when you go to that meeting you have planned.

If you don't think people notice - guess again!

**nehpets4627** · 01-25-2011, 06:22 AM

Lost baggage on a 2-night business trip can kill the trip if you have a meeting the next day. When you fly 80-100 legs a year, it can happen more often than you think. International connections compound the risk.

I do 2-nights in a rolling brief smaller than many I've seen carrying just a laptop. I do up to 5-nights in a 20" roller that comfortably fits wheels-first in the overhead of all mainline aircraft AND holds my laptop in the front pocket. I always gate-check on RJs. I've always conformed with carry-on rules, even before checked bag fees started pushing folks to bend and break them more and more. That effect is compounded by leisure travelers thinking their bag will fit then not admitting when it won't. Until the rules change I won't feel bad knowing I'm comfortably within the allowed size restrictions. Knowing how to pack is a skill just as is knowing how to shave, and I never look like a "ruffled muffin" when I arrive. I can still DE shave along the way if I chose... all for the cost of a first-class stamp and a week of forethought.

Taking 30 minutes on to the front-end of a flight to arrive by the checked-bag cut-off and another 30-minutes waiting for my bag at the arrival terminal isn't my cup-of-tea either, but that can go either way. I'd much rather arrive at the airport 1-hour ahead of time with my pre-printed boarding pass, hit the lounge for a drink and newspaper, board with the elite passengers, and never have to think twice about where my bag is. I probably put at much thought into travel as most do into shaving, including product choice and technique. My travel is streamlined, efficient, and minimizes potential calamities.

The way a person travels is probably as subjective as shaving, hi-fi, wine, whiskey, cars, cigars, women, or religion. My main point is not everyone who travels exclusively carry-on is "that guy" trying to shove a 25" roller into the overhead of a CRJ. Plenty of us know how to limit our own inconvenience without adding to the inconvenience of others... and how to get a good shave along the way.

**jhooking** · 01-25-2011, 08:19 AM

The way a person travels is probably as subjective as shaving, hi-fi, wine, whiskey, cars, cigars, women, or religion. My main point is not everyone who travels exclusively carry-on is "that guy" trying to shove a 25" roller into the overhead of a CRJ. Plenty of us know how to limit our own inconvenience without adding to the inconvenience of others... and how to get a good shave along the way.[/QUOTE]

1++

**luvmysuper** · 01-25-2011, 08:28 AM

Originally Posted by nehpets4627

Lost baggage on a 2-night business trip can kill the trip if you have a meeting the next day. When you fly 80-100 legs a year, it can happen more often than you think. International connections compound the risk.

I do 2-nights in a rolling brief smaller than many I've seen carrying just a laptop. I do up to 5-nights in a 20" roller that comfortably fits wheels-first in the overhead of all mainline aircraft AND holds my laptop in the front pocket. I always gate-check on RJs. I've always conformed with carry-on rules, even before checked bag fees started pushing folks to bend and break them more and more. That effect is compounded by leisure travelers thinking their bag will fit then not admitting when it won't. Until the rules change I won't feel bad knowing I'm comfortably within the allowed size restrictions. Knowing how to pack is a skill just as is knowing how to shave, and I never look like a "ruffled muffin" when I arrive. I can still DE shave along the way if I chose... all for the cost of a first-class stamp and a week of forethought.

Taking 30 minutes on to the front-end of a flight to arrive by the checked-bag cut-off and another 30-minutes waiting for my bag at the arrival terminal isn't my cup-of-tea either, but that can go either way. I'd much rather arrive at the airport 1-hour ahead of time with my pre-printed boarding pass, hit the lounge for a drink and newspaper, board with the elite passengers, and never have to think twice about where my bag is. I probably put at much thought into travel as most do into shaving, including product choice and technique. My travel is streamlined, efficient, and minimizes potential calamities.

The way a person travels is probably as subjective as shaving, hi-fi, wine, whiskey, cars, cigars, women, or religion. My main point is not everyone who travels exclusively carry-on is "that guy" trying to shove a 25" roller into the overhead of a CRJ. Plenty of us know how to limit our own inconvenience without adding to the inconvenience of others... and how to get a good shave along the way.

I got you, and I can see your point. I agree that not every body is "that guy".

I'll also say that I fly every week, sometimes several flights in a week, both domestic and international and in the last 15 years I had one bag temporarily misplaced, and it was delivered to my hotel later that same evening.

I also get the 30 minutes before and after to check a bag and to collect it. I personally chalk it up to unwind time.

I'd rather spend the 30 minutes at baggage claim than the 30 minutes I currently spend in line behind people unpacking 3 carry ons at the security check point!

Honestly - I wish the airlines would charge people a carry on fee and check bags for free.

**nehpets4627** · 01-25-2011, 08:43 AM

Originally Posted by luvmysuper

I'd rather spend the 30 minutes at baggage claim than the 30 minutes I currently spend in line behind people unpacking 3 carry ons at the security check point!

Unfortunately, us checking a bag won't keep any other inexperienced flier from not knowing the rules or trying to evade them.

Originally Posted by luvmysuper

Honestly - I wish the airlines would charge people a carry on fee and check bags for free.

Now there's a business model I could get on board with... though I'd still pay for my own carry-on.

**binowatch** · 01-25-2011, 08:57 AM

Don't Travel with a razor you cannot stand to loose. Checked bags are occasionally lost, at least temporarily, a zealous TSA person may confiscate a razor, checked bags are sometimes ransacked. If you carry nothing else on board you should have your Dopp kit, your meds, a change of shirt, socks and underwear (especially the kind you can wash in sink and dry over night). I am using up my old power fusion cartridges and will switch to a Bic disposable when they are gone. In a pinch you can use bar soap and that to shave. You can check the preferred stuff and hope for the best.