10 min read
It’s the season of out-of-town trips again. You may think you'll need to forego your established clean and smooth shave routine while you're away. While security concerns do place limitations on traveling with wet shaving gear, traveling with a straight razor is absolutely allowed if done right.
So we are perfectly clear—straight razors, razor blades, or anything with a sharp blade are absolutely items you don't put in your carry-on luggage unless you have a few hours to spare in airport security interrogation. Your favorite Naked Armor, Dovo, or Theirs Issard razor may look stunning on your counter, but unfortunately, some straight-edge razors are too bulky to fit in your leather case or Dopp bag.
If you are flying, it might be tempting to sneak your expensive straight razor on board. The best thing to do is to purchase shaving products that pack well and still give you that BBS comfortable shave for your trip that won't be a major financial loss if lost. Especially if you travel often.
Have no worries, fellow wet shavers. Today, there is a world of modern shaving products designed for travel that meets Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requirements for checked luggage and won't compromise the quality of your prep or shave when traveling. Here is everything you need to know about traveling with a straight razor.
If you are checking luggage, unquestionably. Generally, TSA does not allow sharp objects in carry-on luggage, but the sky is the limit for checked-in baggage. One of men's most frequently asked questions is about the kind of razors they could bring in their carry-on luggage. Here are TSA’s guidelines on traveling with a razor:
Straight razors are extremely sharp objects similar to knives, so TSA does not allow straight razors on carry-on luggage. Instead, you should put it in a straight razor case and pack it inside a Dopp kit inside your checked-in baggage.
TSA only allows empty safety razors on carry-on luggage. Meanwhile, it would be best if you separately packed the blades inside your checked-in baggage. We recommend storing your safety razor and blades in one place to avoid misplacing the other.
Cartridge razors have a fixed-cartridge blade, so you can bring a disposable razor or cartridge razor with you on the plane. This is because the razor blades are permanently inside the razor's head and are unremovable.
According to the official TSA guidelines, straight razors and blades not in a cartridge are prohibited on flights unless they are securely wrapped and sheathed inside your checked-in baggage. Meanwhile, safety razors are only allowed if they are empty.
There's a lot to remember, from the actual travel to ensuring you have a great shave at your destination. Remember these dos and don'ts of straight razor shaving on vacation to keep your face and razor in great shape.
Here are the things you should remember when traveling with a straight razor.
Go for it:
Avoid:
Let's go over the fundamentals of traveling with a straight razor in greater detail:
The most important thing to note is to simply keep your skin hydrated and protected using the right shaving or skincare products. This way, you can lessen the risks of post-shave irritations and increase your chances of getting a close and smooth shave.
Every man knows the basic items that need to make it into every Dopp kit. A Dopp kit should be about the size of a pencil case and kept fully packed at all times, so you can just throw it in your backpack and go. Every man should have the necessary toiletries like deodorant, a toothbrush and toothpaste, a razor, and first-aid essentials.
Here's what should be inside your Dopp Kit:
Lotions, balms, and oils are excellent for helping your skin survive post-shave irritations. Applying a pre-shave oil before shaving also helps keep the skin supple and makes it easier to shave while adding an extra layer of protection against the razor blade. Aftershave lotions and balms help treat razor burn and helps rehydrate and disinfect your skin.
Opt for products with an extra hydrating formula for those traveling to colder places.
Only bring your essential shaving gear when traveling, and choose multipurpose products but do not compromise on performance. We recommend packing your shaving gear trifecta: razor, brush, and soap in a puck.
The razor should have high-quality blades that are sharp and provide a close shave. The shaving brush should have soft bristles that hold a good amount of lather, and the soap should produce a thick and creamy lather. You can use your moisturizing skincare products as an aftershave, after all.
A well-groomed beard or a clean-shaven face only matters if you take oral care seriously. Always bring a toothbrush with a cover, travel-size toothpaste, and floss. Regularly brushing and flossing your teeth is essential for proper oral hygiene and should not be neglected
Some of the other things you should include in your Dopp kit are your nail clippers and comb. Regularly grooming your nails and hair is important for a neat and put-together look and for promoting general health and well-being.
Your scent plays an important role in people's perception of you. But hygiene does not just stop with scent. It is also important to keep your body clean. It is only necessary to bring your favorite toiletries, including your body wash, shampoo, deodorant, and signature perfume. Do not bring anything overpowering.
Accidents can happen anytime and anywhere. Plus, getting a nick while shaving is inevitable, especially when not using a straight razor. So, bring your first-aid essentials; band-aids, alcohol, topical creams, and pain medications.
Dopp kits vary in the number and type of pockets, mesh dividers, and bags they feature, making it more difficult to determine how to pack your own efficiently.
Your travel-sized bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and deodorant will all be easily accessible if you bring different sizes of elastic bands and tie them together.
Mesh pockets are great alternatives to plastic bags for smaller, more awkward items like nail clippers and floss. When transporting bottles or containers that could leak, place them in the designated leak-proof area or a sealed plastic bag. Also, do not forget TSA’s guidelines saying that blades should be securely wrapped.
Traveling with a 3.4 oz full-size aerosol can of shaving cream in your carry-on bag is allowed but is it convenient? Not really. If you are a shaving soap aficionado, opt for a shaving stick—they are a fantastic, compact way to travel with shaving soap in deodorant stick size. If the travel size of your preferred shaving cream isn't convenient, transfer the amount you'll need to a small plastic bottle instead.
Follow the 3-1-1 rule when packing your liquids: all lotions, gels, and creams in your carry-on should be in a 1-quart plastic bag. Make sure they are easy to get out of so you don't have to deal with problems at the airport security checkpoint.
But if your 1-quart bag gets too full to seal, you can try these smart hacks:
There is no way you can cheat TSA rules. After all, these are for the safety of you and other passengers. Trying to avoid them and sneaking in your shave gear carelessly could cause delays and fines.
Sharpening your straight razor while on vacation can be a daunting task, but it can be done with the right tools and proper technique. The most convenient way is to bring a travel-sized hanging leather strop.
Here's how to sharpen a straight razor with a leather strop.
Make sure your strop is clean and stiff before using it. If your strop is dirty and worn, it can hurt the edge of your straight razor.
Traveling with a straight razor on a short trip can be difficult, especially if you only need to pack lightly. That's when you'll have to settle for a disposable or cartridge razor for the time being, as you can sneak in a good shave mid-flight and look clean-shaven and ready for your meeting as soon as you land.
Those going on long trips should keep their Dopp kits easily accessible in their checked luggage. Do not keep it in the back of your bag if you do not want to rummage through all your stuff just to get a great shave.
But most importantly, if you want an excellent straight razor shave, choose the products with TSA-friendly packaging and top-notch quality performance.
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