Theres often discussion about what to do when you travel with this wee hobby of ours, and given ive been searching for the perfect travel kit, I thought I would share some of my thoughts.
For me, I split the travel kit down to its key parts. The razor, the Brush, the Product, the Aftershaves, the Scents, the Rest.
For me, the razor is the easy bit - theyre all about as big as each other, and while I wouldnt take a toggle, or a very fancy straight, theres no reason not to take one of your common favourites.
Brushes is a bit trickier, theyre expensive - but they make a huge difference to the lather and enjoyment of the shave. Reknotted brushes are fantastic value, so theyre a good choice. Turnbacks are a complete novelty, theyre not needed at all. I do, however, love them. The whole point of wetshaving is the luxury of it (apart from the better shaves, of course), and theres nothing more luxurious than having a brush you only use when youre traveling. A good turnback can always be used at home though, and ill definately get another one.
The products are easy - shave sticks. Personally ive more than I can count (easily more than 10), theyre so easy to take with you, and cheap too! Creams in tubes are good too, especially if you dont have much left in the tube so you can roll it on itself and it takes up less room.
Aftershaves are easy to decant into little bottles you can buy or scrounge. One of swmbos lip balm tubs, once washed out, can hold a fair bit of asb.
The scents - samples! I also have some small atomizers I decant my favourite scents into for travel. A word on samples generally - lets not abuse them. Getting samples for free is great, but if theyre abused then they may dry up completely. Luckily the bigger companies sell (at super reasonable prices) samples of their entire range that can be used.
The Rest... I always take a bottle opener, its great to have and very handy. A nice dopp kit is completely unnecessary, but good to have. I got mine at fossil and I love it. Cotton buds for the ear are always handy, as are sewing kits.
Option 1 - "The dont care".
Just shave in the shower using free hotel soap - not great shaves, but its easy as you just put the razor in an empty pouch of your bag.
View attachment 72709
Option 2 - "The gettin' it done"
This would probably be the most common one, its small and easy to take. If you lose it no big deal. Problem is that with only a little more kit the shaves are so much better.
View attachment 72710
Option 3 - "The efficient luxury"
This is a good one for the odd overnight. Some good stuff, pretty small, can fit inside a shoe!
View attachment 72711
Option 4 - "The Oppulent Traveller"
This is my favourite one - a couple of days of shaving bliss!
View attachment 72712
Option 5 - "The Kitchen Sink"
When only the best can do (perhaps this is what gillette talks about when they carry on about 'the best a man can get'). Seems silly? Laugh away, but ive used it and its great. A den fit for a king - feel superior knowing your den is bigger than many a newbies den.
View attachment 72713
Cheers guys!
For me, I split the travel kit down to its key parts. The razor, the Brush, the Product, the Aftershaves, the Scents, the Rest.
For me, the razor is the easy bit - theyre all about as big as each other, and while I wouldnt take a toggle, or a very fancy straight, theres no reason not to take one of your common favourites.
Brushes is a bit trickier, theyre expensive - but they make a huge difference to the lather and enjoyment of the shave. Reknotted brushes are fantastic value, so theyre a good choice. Turnbacks are a complete novelty, theyre not needed at all. I do, however, love them. The whole point of wetshaving is the luxury of it (apart from the better shaves, of course), and theres nothing more luxurious than having a brush you only use when youre traveling. A good turnback can always be used at home though, and ill definately get another one.
The products are easy - shave sticks. Personally ive more than I can count (easily more than 10), theyre so easy to take with you, and cheap too! Creams in tubes are good too, especially if you dont have much left in the tube so you can roll it on itself and it takes up less room.
Aftershaves are easy to decant into little bottles you can buy or scrounge. One of swmbos lip balm tubs, once washed out, can hold a fair bit of asb.
The scents - samples! I also have some small atomizers I decant my favourite scents into for travel. A word on samples generally - lets not abuse them. Getting samples for free is great, but if theyre abused then they may dry up completely. Luckily the bigger companies sell (at super reasonable prices) samples of their entire range that can be used.
The Rest... I always take a bottle opener, its great to have and very handy. A nice dopp kit is completely unnecessary, but good to have. I got mine at fossil and I love it. Cotton buds for the ear are always handy, as are sewing kits.
Option 1 - "The dont care".
- The Razor
- Cheap Cartridge
- The Brush
- None
- The Product
- None
- The Aftershaves
- None
- The Scents
- None
Just shave in the shower using free hotel soap - not great shaves, but its easy as you just put the razor in an empty pouch of your bag.
View attachment 72709
Option 2 - "The gettin' it done"
- The Razor
- A razor you wont miss
- The Brush
- A cheapie you wont miss
- The Product
- Some samples
- The Aftershaves
- Something cheap decanted into a little bottle
- The Scents
- A couple of free samples
This would probably be the most common one, its small and easy to take. If you lose it no big deal. Problem is that with only a little more kit the shaves are so much better.
View attachment 72710
Option 3 - "The efficient luxury"
- The Razor
- Any Razor from you den
- The Brush
- A brush in a toilet paper roll/pill box
- The Product
- Some samples, maybe some sticks
- The Aftershaves
- Some more samples
- The Scents
- Would you believe some samples?
This is a good one for the odd overnight. Some good stuff, pretty small, can fit inside a shoe!
View attachment 72711
Option 4 - "The Oppulent Traveller"
- The Razor
- One of your favourites
- The Brush
- A turnback
- The Product
- A stick or three
- The Aftershaves
- A couple of samples or decants (you need choice)
- The Scents
- Free samples, and your favourites in little bottles
This is my favourite one - a couple of days of shaving bliss!
View attachment 72712
Option 5 - "The Kitchen Sink"
- The Razor
- A small cross section of the den
- The Brush
- A turnback (or two), of course
- The Product
- A selection of shave sticks
- Some creams if thats your thing
- The Aftershaves
- A few of your premier aftershaves in small or sample size
- The Scents
- Your favourite scents, decanted into atomizers
- Perhaps some samples too
When only the best can do (perhaps this is what gillette talks about when they carry on about 'the best a man can get'). Seems silly? Laugh away, but ive used it and its great. A den fit for a king - feel superior knowing your den is bigger than many a newbies den.
View attachment 72713
Cheers guys!
REMEMBER - NO DE BLADES OR STRAIGHTS ARE ALLOWED ON FLIGHTS. THE TSA WILL TAKE THEM.
)
