Shaving Gear For A Long Trip

[The Nid Hog]

I'm going to be in Japan for several months starting this summer--at least four. I'm thinking about what shaving gear to take so that I don't overpack, don't run short and don't get bored.

As far as hardware goes, I'm thinking of taking one DE razor, a C&E travel brush, and a couple of packs of blades to tide me over until I have a chance to stockpile Feathers. If something happens to my razor, I can always pick up a TTO Feather too.

Aftershave isn't a problem either. I think that I'll take a small bottle of AV Ice Blue and then grab a couple bottles of Japanese juice. No need to run short in the land of Mandom.

For shaving cream and soap, I'm thinking a large tube of the Bath & Body Works/Proraso cream and a couple of shave sticks (maybe Tabac and Irisch Moos). This is a weak spot in the Japanese shaving arsenal and I don't want to have to fall back on some slimy Mandom gel.

Beyond that, maybe a bottle of some light summer cologne. I won't be wearing it every day. Maybe a bottle of Beene's Bowling Green (I overstocked in a fit of paranoia) or CdG Vettiveru (it's an enormous bottle and dedicated use is the only way I'm ever going to make a dent in it). I don't want to take something that I don't mind ending up breaking/losing. I'm also hoping to pick up a bottle of 4711's Portugal Cologne while I'm there.

Any advice from our seasoned road warriors or luxury-loving travelers?

 

[Ru4scuba?]

I haven't used the C&E...but on my frequent travels, I can't say enough about the Simpson's Major Turnback in Best.

Its the single most useful tool in my travel shave kit. Compact, highly portable (and in a way that doesn't hurt the hairs), durable and VERY useful.

As you know, Creams and Soaps and ASBs are subjective....my take would be a proraso green or white tub for soap, but you know what opinions are like

 

[Patriot45]

I'm going to be in Japan for several months starting this summer--at least four. I'm thinking about what shaving gear to take so that I don't overpack, don't run short and don't get bored.

As far as hardware goes, I'm thinking of taking one DE razor, a C&E travel brush, and a couple of packs of blades to tide me over until I have a chance to stockpile Feathers. If something happens to my razor, I can always pick up a TTO Feather too.

Aftershave isn't a problem either. I think that I'll take a small bottle of AV Ice Blue and then grab a couple bottles of Japanese juice. No need to run short in the land of Mandom.

For shaving cream and soap, I'm thinking a large tube of the Bath & Body Works/Proraso cream and a couple of shave sticks (maybe Tabac and Irisch Moos). This is a weak spot in the Japanese shaving arsenal and I don't want to have to fall back on some slimy Mandom gel.

Beyond that, maybe a bottle of some light summer cologne. I won't be wearing it every day. Maybe a bottle of Beene's Bowling Green (I overstocked in a fit of paranoia) or CdG Vettiveru (it's an enormous bottle and dedicated use is the only way I'm ever going to make a dent in it). I don't want to take something that I don't mind ending up breaking/losing. I'm also hoping to pick up a bottle of 4711's Portugal Cologne while I'm there.

Any advice from our seasoned road warriors or luxury-loving travelers?

Sounds like a solid kit! Whatcha goin' to Japan for, if you don't mind me askin'?

 

[Topgumby]

Interesting choices for an interesting situation.

I'm a razor tramp, so the thought of having just one makes me break out in a cold sweat. Maybe one open comb, one three piece, one fixed TTO and one adjustable. Just a single razor? Yikes!

The shaving sticks are a great idea, but since Tabac and Irisch Moos are twin sisters wearing different perfume, I'd mix it up by adding a puck of soap. You could find a "mug" while you are there, and it would be a great, lifelong addition to the den if you pack it back. Since your are packing the Ice Blue, dare I suggest you fly the colors and opt for a little Blue Willy?

The cologne is an individual choice, so I can't advise other than to say that you might pick something a little out of your routine, to match the circumstances of the trip.

Have fun planning.

 

[Petar Milas]

hmmm, interesting....

I'm now studying in Vienna for 6 months, and i have a diifferent approach...
i'm comming back home for easter, and than i'm changing my gear, for now i have brought my "winter" set... i have only one razor, the Fat boy, but i have diffrent types of blades. i have two brushes, Semogue 1305, and EJ Super, i have Tabac soap, of creams i have brought Palmolive, and DR harris, and i also have alum and witch hazel, which are in my summer and winter line up. out of the AS a have a L'occitane cade, and a nivea ASB. oh yes, and a T&H oil that i use sometimes for touch ups.

When i get back home for easter i come back, it will be much warmer so i planed to bring proraso cream, proraso pre-post, L'occitane cade soap, limes skin food... and maybe sth else...

now i see i have brought quite a lot compared to you maybe i did overpack

 

[Matt P]

Since shave sticks are so easy to pack I'd through in some Valobra and Arko along with what you listed.

What razor are you taking? I'd go with one of my basic 50's flare tips. They are steady performers and easy to replace if lost.

Good on you for rocking the AV in the Land of the Rising Sun. Dare I suggest Clubman or LV?

 

[The Nid Hog]

I'm thinking about taking a black handled Super Speed. I've had it for ages and have taken it on long trips before and it's served me well. Maybe an EJ DE89L too--I took it on vacation last summer for a couple of weeks and found it did good work day in and day out.

The idea of a puck or two of something might be nice. I'm going to be in Okinawa most of the time, so maybe I could snag a cool bowl to put it in.

A bottle of Clubman might be a good addition too. Five months without Pinaud is almost too much to consider.

My wife suggested that I forget about cologne and just impulse buy something at Duty Free when I get there. That's a possibility too, but I really want to nab a bottle of 4711 Portugal too.

Any other ideas?

 

[DESkydiver]

For a four-month trip I would surely think you have ample opportunity to find quality local product. Perhaps even product you’ve not heard of before and would miss so much if you could not get any more once you’re back home. It's an adventure!

I would only double or triple my normal travel dopp with travel size added PSO, AS/B. A fresh bowl of soap lasts for months, maybe one refill. I would bring two razors for rotation, with only 10-20 blades, or since you’ve already mentioned picking up a Feather TTO, bring one and buy the second. Since you’re picking up a new Feather razor, I would venture they also have as many Feather blades you would need. Heck you could even bring back a few hundred.

 

[DESkydiver]

Did not see above post... timing of writing/posting...

...
The idea of a puck or two of something might be nice. I'm going to be in Okinawa most of the time, so maybe I could snag a cool bowl to put it in.
...

Great Idea! If you like MWF, you might want to bring a couple of those for your new bowl. This could become a whole new AD phase, within budget of course (plug for the missus).

 

[Topgumby]

Breathes there the man, with soul so dead,
Who never to himself hath said,
"I shave with stuff from my native land!"
Whose heart hath ne'er within him burned,
As o'er his puck his brush hath turned,
While lathering on a foreign strand!
If such there breathe, go, mark him well;
For him no mounds of lather swell;
Rare though his razors, sharp his blades,
As boundless a den as wish can claim;
Despite those goodies on bathroom shelf,
The wretch, with the TSA's cruel help,
Shaving, shall forfeit fair renown,
And, doubly nicked, shall go down
To the vile dust, from whence he calls,
Unwept, and smothered in Lilac Vegetal.

 

[Uncle Erik]

I'd take the bare minimum and "go native" once I was there. There must be Japanese products rarely heard of on this side of the world. I'd chat up the locals to find out what's available and ask if they'll take you to a few shops.

You never know if you'll stumble across something wonderful.

 

[The Nid Hog]

Breathes there the man, with soul so dead,
Who never to himself hath said,
"I shave with stuff from my native land!"
Whose heart hath ne'er within him burned,
As o'er his puck his brush hath turned,
While lathering on a foreign strand!
If such there breathe, go, mark him well;
For him no mounds of lather swell;
Rare though his razors, sharp his blades,
As boundless a den as wish can claim;
Despite those goodies on bathroom shelf,
The wretch, with the TSA's cruel help,
Shaving, shall forfeit fair renown,
And, doubly nicked, shall go down
To the vile dust, from whence he calls,
Unwept, and smothered in Lilac Vegetal.

Another brilliant effort! There should be a sticky somewhere just to collect Topgumby's works.

I'd take the bare minimum and "go native" once I was there. There must be Japanese products rarely heard of on this side of the world. I'd chat up the locals to find out what's available and ask if they'll take you to a few shops.

You never know if you'll stumble across something wonderful.

It's funny--Japan is really good for some things but weak in others. I think that ordinary run-of-the-mill aftershaves are as good as you can get. Feather blades are excellent and you can still find their entry level TTO everywhere. On the other hand, soaps and creams are terrible--I can't think of anything other than brushless creams and gels. I spent some time last summer looking around for artisan products, but I came up empty handed.

In Tokyo, you can find EdTs from all over the world, but most of it is available in the US too. The one thing that I see in Japan that I haven't seen anywhere else is the 4711 Portugal line. Maybe I'll stop in one of the Comme des Garcons stores and see if there's anything new.

After reading through all the suggestions, I'm thinking that maybe I'll get a bunch of sample soaps. This might be a good time for me to run through a few and see what I think. I've been meaning to get a couple from TGQ and maybe some SCS samples too.

 

[Sullybob]

I don't think you can go wrong with a bunch of samples of soaps and creams. Take something that you know is a solid performer, and take some stuff to try.