How do you make straight razor shaving portable?

[generalguy]

Basically, I'd like to get into straights but what scares me off is the amount of stuff you have to have around you-- strops, hones whatever. In contrast, DE shaving only needs blades and the razor (+ the lathering stuff, but that's common to both).

So what's the best minimalist straight set-up?

 

[Kentos]

You would only carry around a razor and strop. The hones would stay home.

Or you could get a shavette for traveling.

 

[Blue_2]

I'm sorry it doesn't answer your question directly, but I've had this same problem. I use straights, but finally decided to use a DE when travelling. You're right, it's too much hassle on the road. I lost my luggage in O'Hare once and I lost two decent straights, a barber hone, and a 2" TM red latigo strop.

These days its a DE (Progress or 34C), Speick shave stick, and a Tweezerman in a pill bottle.

 

[Kentos]

I'm sorry it doesn't answer your question directly, but I've had this same problem. I use straights, but finally decided to use a DE when travelling. You're right, it's too much hassle on the road. I lost my luggage in O'Hare once and I lost two decent straights, a barber hone, and a 2" TM red latigo strop.

These days its a DE (Progress or 34C), Speick shave stick, and a Tweezerman in a pill bottle.

The loss of the TM Latigo must still sting. My condolences on that.

 

[Doc226]

I travel with a feather AC

 

[Wid]

I use a Feather Artist Club for traveling.

 

[Legion]

I have a roll-able strop that fits in my Dopp kit, and a wrap for my razor. Add a wee Scot and a shave stick and I'm good for at least a couple of weeks away.

 

[generalguy]

I have a roll-able strop that fits in my Dopp kit, and a wrap for my razor. Add a wee Scot and a shave stick and I'm good for at least a couple of weeks away.

Where do you get one of these rollable strops? All the ones I've seen are too thick to roll or are paddles.

 

[Alum of Potash]

Where do you get one of these rollable strops? All the ones I've seen are too thick to roll or are paddles.

Uh-oh. If he's out of 'roo, ask him what he has in ostrich.

 

[Manning]

Feather.

 

[Legion]

Where do you get one of these rollable strops? All the ones I've seen are too thick to roll or are paddles.

I made my own out of kangaroo leather. It is super thin, but super strong with no stretch, so it works well. I don't think you could do it with any other sort of leather, not if you wanted it to last.

The other option is a paddle strop, as you say. I used travel with this one. It also has roo leather, but that is not so important on a paddle.

 

[tomjr]

two straights, made a roll-up strop, a small hone (barber hone) shave stick, and a brush all fits in my dopp kit easily. tom

 

[kirk 988]

a shavette is they way to go

 

[Kavik79]

I made my own out of kangaroo leather. It is super thin, but super strong with no stretch, so it works well. I don't think you could do it with any other sort of leather, not if you wanted it to last.

The other option is a paddle strop, as you say. I used travel with this one. It also has roo leather, but that is not so important on a paddle.

Looking at that makes me think.......why couldn't something like that be made a little thicker, with cutouts inside and a sliding panel that opens up along the edge? Storage for 2 razors, a small travel brush and a shave stick or a small tube of cream, maybe even a small barbers hone or coticule bout?

Of course, the idea is the easy part, I've got a million of those LOL It's the tools/skills to actually make them become a reality that I'm lacking

 

[rickboone1]

two straights, made a roll-up strop, a small hone (barber hone) shave stick, and a brush all fits in my dopp kit easily. tom

what did you make your roll up strop from?

 

[Legion]

Looking at that makes me think.......why couldn't something like that be made a little thicker, with cutouts inside and a sliding panel that opens up along the edge? Storage for 2 razors, a small travel brush and a shave stick or a small tube of cream, maybe even a small barbers hone or coticule bout?

Of course, the idea is the easy part, I've got a million of those LOL It's the tools/skills to actually make them become a reality that I'm lacking

Yes, in fact in ye olden days they used to make strop boxes much like you describe with a compartment for the razor. Wouldn't be too hard to make.

 

[Alum of Potash]

Here is one that still be made in modern time: http://www.classicshaving.com/catalog/item/522944/2116764.htm. Maybe it would serve as a model?

 

[jred]

I want to make a "travel" version of this:
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showth...op-and-Straight-Blade-Compartment-*Need-Info*

 

[cameraflier]

I'm on the road for 1-2 weeks per month. I've frequently considered a Feather. I might do it, if I stumble on a cheap one. (fat chance) For now I'll travel with the kit below. As long as I take a cheapo restore razor, any item listed can be replaced without too much crisis.


For a travel case, I use tissue and a toothbrush holder. $1.

I got a cheap Omega boar, with a case, for $13 at a small town variety store.

The Cella red tub is hard to beat. The top screws on, and it's quite rugged. Cheap too.

Finally, I use the cheapest Star Shaving strop, with no fabric component.



cream and balm samples are great for the road, if you can get them.

 

[ladykate]

When I have the space, I pack a strop that has been formed on the inside edge of the suitcase or a paddle strop. The razor, Arko, and a small brush. Styptic pencil, various stinky things, and Lubriderm. It fills a dop kit. If I use a DE, I still pack about the same amount sans the strop. Works either way.

When space is a premium (camping), I pack a Feather and use bath soap for lather.