If you live in the U.S. and travel using only carry-on luggage, I would caution you that the TSA has full authority to, and often does, confiscate non-cartridge razors, even without blades. (And I definitely don't recommend trying to explain to a TSA agent that a razor without blades can't cut anything.)
Shave comparison, Cartridge vs DE
- Thread starter PinehillJoe
- Start date
Were you using your typical shaving soap or cream or did you change to something else for lather?
In my case I revert back to one of my electric Norelco shavers during travel when flying. May bring a DE for driving trips.
- Thread starter
- #23
Patient: Dr it hurts when I do this
Dr: Then stop doing it.
- Thread starter
- #24
I used Harry's cream from tube, Muhle travel brush. At home I've been using Muhle soap and bowl and brush.
Lockback
Dull yet interesting
I've now been cart free for two whole years. I don't miss them for a millisecond. My frustration with their performance and their pricing is what led me here. 
Since starting wet shaving I've only used my Mach 3 cartridge razor a couple times when running late and really needed to shave before work. Convenient but def not as nice a shave. Now I'd merely call it "adequate".
I had been using carts, favoring a Sensor II for over 30 years, before switching to DE. 10 months after joining B&B and switching to DE, we went on a 2 week vacation by car. Instead of packing up a DE, brush, cream/soap, I took my old, reliable cart and some canned foam. The first shave was so bad, I tossed the cart and foam in the trash, and didn't shave again until I got home.
I find that a Trac II/GII can provide an excellent shave, every bit as good as a DE. But the brand of blade makes a difference of course, just like with a DE.
While for example a Personna USA cartridge can give an ok shave, using a Gillette cartridges makes quite a bit of difference.
These are excellent, no lube strip:
They're expensive but they're very sharp and last much longer than other brands such as Personna.
While for example a Personna USA cartridge can give an ok shave, using a Gillette cartridges makes quite a bit of difference.
These are excellent, no lube strip:
They're expensive but they're very sharp and last much longer than other brands such as Personna.
Ack. Hasn't happened yet but maybe I'll just starting checking the bag then...not worth loosing a razor (cheap or expensive) over when it's free to check for me.
Agreed. The Trac II is a phenomenal razor.
If for some reason I have to use a cartridge then I use either a Gillette Skinguard or Mach 3. I can almost be guaranteed that I'll have irritation and ingrown hairs. Also they just pull and tug way more.
I am certainly not a fan of cartridge razors and only use them when more satisfying alternatives are not available (e.g. long distance flights with change of flights in-between).
Yet, I do believe that if one applies the lessons from traditional straight, DE, or SE shaving to a shave with a cartridge razor (like a solid pre-shave prep and two or more passes) one can achieve results that are better than what the average cartridge razor user achieves (no pre-shave prep, no thinking about direction of beard growth, single pass).
There may be little satisfaction in using a cartridge razor, but - once one has elevated one’s technique through more traditional shaving methods - a shave with a cartridge razor can be better than what one might remember.
B.
Yet, I do believe that if one applies the lessons from traditional straight, DE, or SE shaving to a shave with a cartridge razor (like a solid pre-shave prep and two or more passes) one can achieve results that are better than what the average cartridge razor user achieves (no pre-shave prep, no thinking about direction of beard growth, single pass).
There may be little satisfaction in using a cartridge razor, but - once one has elevated one’s technique through more traditional shaving methods - a shave with a cartridge razor can be better than what one might remember.
B.
I strongly second the BIC Metal as a cart alternative in carry on bags. Single blade and does a good job.
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