Carrying Case For Traveling / Suggestions For What To Take

[sinik]

Hi all!

I'll be going to Greece for about a week and a half in mid-July and I'd like to remain clean-shaven at least some of the time. I've recently embraced the wonders of cold-water shaving so I should be good to go no matter what the circumstances are, but I was wondering a few thing: 1) how do you all transport your shaving gear and 2) what kind of stuff do you actually bring?

If I was to boil down my shaving process to 4 items it would be: 1) my MWF shave soap in the ceramic dish, 2) my Merkur 34C double-edge, 3) my AoS pure badger, and 4) the actual blades (I use Personnas).

Would it be easy to take all of this with me? My biggest concern (not really a concern, just lack of a better word at 8 AM) would be the shave soap.

love this forum

 

[DirtDiver]

I would recommend grabbing a shave stick, and just bring the brush, your favorite razor and a pack of blades.

 

[temjeito]

I've always wanted to go to Greece!

That sounds like a good solid kit to bring with you, but I would caution you against taking the MWF ceramic dish. Those things are expensive, and you wouldn't want it to break! Also, the top doesn't stay on. I would consider a plastic container -- there are some made specifically for traveling with shave soap (IIRC, Mama Bear has one that will fit the MWF puck), or you can just get a tupperware type container that fits.

Also, you don't need much MWF for a couple of weeks' worth of shaves, so if you want to travel a bit lighter you could just scrape off enough MWF and press it into an even smaller container. You could even make your own MWF stick.

For the brush, a plastic tube or large prescription bottle with holes drilled in it might offer a bit of extra protection. A clamshell glasses case would do the same for the HD. Don't forget that you can't carry on blades, so make sure they're stowed in your checked baggage!

 

[gregindallas]

Simple kit

 

[BrookR1]

Whenever I travel, I bring stuff that I don't mind losing. I use disposable twin blade cart razors (Gillette Good News), Arko, a small plastic container of ASB, and my Simpsons Wee Scot. It would bum me out if I lost the Wee Scot, but it was made for traveling.

 

[sinik]

Thanks temjeito! I'll look into that for the brush (though it wouldn't be the end of the world if I had to replace it, been looking to anyways ha)..is that you what meant re: the shave soap container?

gregindallas, you think anyone makes ones that are smaller/simpler? Basically I'd just like something that will have a little holster of sorts on the inside to slide the razor into and secure so that it can't move or get damaged in my bag.

 

[demaro]

I bring a de razor , blades . brush , and either Proraso soap in plastic container , or any other one of my soaps in a Tupperware container..

 

[DirtDiver]

Simple kit

Now there is an aggressive Kent brush

 

[temjeito]

Thanks temjeito! I'll look into that for the brush (though it wouldn't be the end of the world if I had to replace it, been looking to anyways ha)..is that you what meant re: the shave soap container?

That's it, exactly. If you're looking to branch out brush-wise, you might consider buying a small boar brush. I have an Omega Bambino that cost less than $10 that I use for travel. It fits nicely into a prescription bottle. Here's my typical travel kit:

Arko shave stick
Omega Bambino in pill bottle
Travel OC razor in metal case
Small sample tub of aftershave balm
Small sample bottle of A/S
Just in case my DE blades that I sent ahead don't arrive, or I can't get DE blades easily where I'm going, I also pack a Gillette Guard and a few extra carts.

Gregindallas, that's beautiful -- who makes that? I've just started straight shaving and have been pondering the travel situation...

 

[gregindallas]

Thanks temjeito! I'll look into that for the brush (though it wouldn't be the end of the world if I had to replace it, been looking to anyways ha)..is that you what meant re: the shave soap container?

gregindallas, you think anyone makes ones that are smaller/simpler? Basically I'd just like something that will have a little holster of sorts on the inside to slide the razor into and secure so that it can't move or get damaged in my bag.

I don't know of any off hand. We usually get little leather holsters now which offer no structural protection at all. I've collected a few vintage razor boxes for my own use when I travel with a double edge. In a pinch, I'd use a travel soap dish.

 

[ateace]

This is probably not what you want to hear, but I leave the DE at home and use a cartridge razor with whatever brushless product I have on hand.
I will even use a canned foam or gel.

1.) I don't want to spend any more time dealing with TSA than I absolutely have to.

2.) I usually don't have the chance for anything other than a quick, brainless shave when travelling.

Also, as has been said, I take only items that I can shrug off if lost or stolen.

 

[sinik]

See I need a case of some sort for my razor to protect it. If it's not built into the traveling shave bag then so be it..maybe I'll get this.

 

[sinik]

This is probably not what you want to hear, but I leave the DE at home and use a cartridge razor with whatever brushless product I have on hand.
I will even use a canned foam or gel.

1.) I don't want to spend any more time dealing with TSA than I absolutely have to.

2.) I usually don't have the chance for anything other than a quick, brainless shave when travelling.

Also, as has been said, I take only items that I can shrug off if lost or stolen.

Part of my family is from Greece, so while we will be spending some time in a hotel, some of it will be at my grandma's apartment.

 

[takeshi]

how do you all transport your shaving gear

Col Littleton shave kit, Muhle brush travel tube and a leather Merkur DE case. There are countless alternatives out there though.

what kind of stuff do you actually bring?

All the same stuff I use at home except for the brush. My brush doesn't fit in the travel tube so I use a different brush when traveling.

If I'm only traveling with a carry-on (rare) I'll take my Merkur Twin Blade and Gilette GII (Trac II, basically) carts instead of the DE and blades.

Would it be easy to take all of this with me?

Can't speak for you but I've never had problems traveling with my stuff. Plenty of people pare down supplies for travel, use more travel friendly options like shave sticks, and use specific travel items that are more compact and/or are more willing to accept the loss of. You have to sort out what will work for you based on what you think you need, what you want and your preferences with regards to the various aspects of assembling a travel kit. I want the same experience on the road as I do at home. Even when I'm packing the roadster for a 2 week road trip I'm not concerned about conserving space. Nothing I own is irreplaceable so I don't worry about the possibility of losing anything. Your priorities may differ entirely.

Don't overlook prior threads. Travel setups are a fairly common topic around here. Here's a quick site-restricted Google search:
https://www.google.com/search?q=tra...s=chrome.0.57.5578j0&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

My biggest concern (not really a concern, just lack of a better word at 8 AM) would be the shave soap.

Pad it or use a different container for travel. My MDC is a glass jar and I've never had problems traveling with it and my ceramic shave bowl. That said, there are plenty of metal, plastic, wood, etc containers that are less likely to shatter if that's a concern for you.

 

[sinik]

Well I think I've got my solution really. Will find some cheap bag at home to put all the stuff in, but I think I'll just get that Mama Bear tub for my MWF, the leather razor holster for my Merkur and use one of my pill bottles for the brush.

 

[DirtDiver]

the leather holster really doesnt offer any protection...

 

[sinik]

It does against scuffs and whatnot which is the most it would ever experience while on my person. I'll have the whole shaving kit in my carry on and just put the blades in the checked luggage.

 

[one cut]

my entire travel toiletry kit,
-a comb
-small bar of soap
-razor
-razor blades ( I use a plastic case the blades came in or I put them into a small metal tin, If a don't have either of those a piece of cardboard folded in half will serve the purpose.)
-shaving cream and or shaving soap
-shaving brush ( if you have to you can stick the brush into the cardboard center of a toilet paper roll.)
-travel bottle of shampoo
-deodorant
-nail clippers
-tooth brush
-tooth paste
-floss
-lip balm
-Aspirin
-digestive medicines
-band-aids
-small flashlight ( the lights go out at the worst of times.)
-small sewing kit (hotels give these out if you ask nicely)
-safety pins
-small packet of toilet paper in a zip lock bag/ or disposable paper handkerchiefs. You can blow your nose in the toilet paper and clean yourself with the disposable handkerchiefs. you never know when you are going to get stuck in a air port for a few days and they run out of toilet paper.
-small sponge, if you have to you can use the small sponge to lather the shaving soap, or if you only have access to liquid soap and a sink you can take a nice sponge bath.
-A nice travel towel.
- tweasers
I have dumped all this stuff into a zip-lock bag, a first aid kit, a roll up travel kit, a nice fake leather toiletry kit.

I will most likely add some pictures of the complete kit to my gallery.

View attachment 343685

a picture of my small shaving kit light is already there.

 

[u2u]

Stainless Dovo shavette that is rugged, cheap badger brush (free one from Zirh), sample packs of pre shave oil, creams, balms, colognes. Treat everything as expendable. If I am lucky I will acquire some new products during the course of my trip. If not, samples are a good way to minimize packing and enjoy trying new products.

 

[dushea]

I've seen folks use an empty Altoids tin. Maybe line it with some felt and throw some cotton balls in to make sure it doesn't fly around.

Also, +1 on the shave stick.