Most re-loadable old Shave Sticks

[Patrologia]

After my most recent overnight trip, I decided that I need a slightly different travel shaving system. I'm probably going to dedicate a Superspeed or a Tech to traveling (taking my Fatboy just makes me nervous about forgetting it or dropping it somewhere). The more immediate question concerns soap. I like the idea of getting an old Shaving Stick tin to grate some soap into for travel use. A quick perusal of auction listings suggested that there were at least a couple of different options out there, but I've no idea which ones are good for reloading, and which ones stink. Can I get opinions? I'm also open to opinions from people who will tell me that it isn't actually any easier to travel with than a bowl of soap, but I'd be surprised by that if it is true.

Creams also seem somewhat more transportable - is that true, and should I just go with a cream? (I haven't tried any creams yet.)

Summer's coming, and probably more road warrior weekends with it.

 

[mdevine]

I travel with a tech, a stick of Arko and a Wee Scot brush. I get great results. I shaved with this set up this weekend and was staying at home.

 

[Deltaboy]

Use a Tube based Cream like CO Bigelow.

 

[Schwert]

I use a glue stick loaded with my favorite soap...simple and easy.

This one loaded with PdP...along with my Wee Scot and Tech it makes for a perfect travel kit.

I have some vintage Colgate stick tins, but I find the glue stick idea to work better...not as classy as the vintage tins, but a load easier to use any soap you desire.

 

[JPDyson]

I like the idea of traveling with a shave stick, but I don't really see the huge benefit over a bowl of soap - if you can face lather, a bowl of soap doesn't pack much differently from a shave stick. The shave sticks do usually have a screw-on lid, but several soaps have containers suitable for travel, or can be placed in suitable travel containers (like the throw-away tupperware stuff).

I prefer the design of the Tabac/Irisch Moos sticks, however, you can get empty screw-type sticks from QED, Mama Bear, etc.

 

[beginish]

A number of soaps are available in both stick and puck form (Tabac, DR Harris, Mama Bear, QED, SCS, La Toja), so if there is one that you like as a puck, the stick could be a viable option. There are also several stick only soaps like Valobra, Wilkinson's Sword, and Palmolive that are inexpensive and merit a try.

 

[JPDyson]

I will add, I personally prefer the larger diameter sticks like Tabac over the skinny ones like D.R. Harris. However, it' worth noting that while the Tabac sticks hold more, the D.R. Harris style pack smaller.

 

[Patrologia]

Thanks for the suggestions. I just love old stuff, so I'll probably eventually bite the bullet and try some of the vintage stuff, but until then, I think I'll be looking for reasons to use up a glue stick soon. (Sure honey, we can hang that picture there. Now you're sure that's where you want it, right?)

 

[WinstonSmith]

The old Colgate canisters fit half an Erasmic stick just fine. I believe the Valobra, Lea/Bea, and Speick sticks are the same size- too long for the Colgate tube, but just right around the middle.

There were old bakelite stick holders from Williams that hold a shortened Arko stick perfectly- the soap actually screws into the cap which makes for easy gripping.

Unfortunately while the Colgate tubes seem fairly prolific (if expensive), the one Williams tube I bought is the only one I've seen.

My travel setup is a collapsable Spanish military DE, a few Israeli Reds in a little chrome metal holder, and the Williams tube. Working on a travel brush, to date I've just been sticking my everyday brush in a toilet paper roll

 

[MikeyAces]

Working on a travel brush, to date I've just been sticking my everyday brush in a toilet paper roll

AoS sells a "starter" kit which is really just a travel kit if you ask me. For 25 bucks in store, or 20 bucks on ebay, it includes PSO, creme, and ASB, but I bought it because it included a great travel brush. Pure badger, about the size of a wee scot. The brush is worth the 20 bucks alone, and you get generous sized samples to travel with or just to try at home.

 

[Topgumby]

While I concede that a puck in a container may be just as sensible, there is something about a shave stick that just feels right while travelling.

While re-filling a vintage container may work just fine, a modern stick gives me that old time vibe. I love the La Toja, Irisch Moos, Tabac and Palmolive sticks. One day soon I'll have to try some Arko.

The ultimate is scoring a vintage stick with the soap intact. I have a vintage Williams stick that I treasure. Rose scented, tallow goodness.

 

[insomniac]

Creams also seem somewhat more transportable - is that true, and should I just go with a cream? (I haven't tried any creams yet.)

If you are flying, then the creams have to fit the whole 3oz limit in carry-on luggage - meaning the container cannot hold more than 3oz, so you end up having to either find travel sizes of creams, or small containers.

Soaps (and thus shaving sticks) are exempt because they are solids.

I plan on using my Valobra stick tomorrow