Traveling with a DE

[Lmarkow]

This morning I took my first flight with a DE in my carry-on. I left the razor blades at home, figuring I could pick some up at a local drugstore. The razor (and I) made it through security, no issues. I now have CVS blades to try in my DE. Look out Feather, Derby, etc.!

I'm curious what the members' traveling experiences have been like with DEs or SEs in their carry-on luggage?

 

[Sir Lurkalot]

My carry on was searched when the screeners noticed the DE inside. There was no blade in it. The guy checking it was retired military just as I. He said he remembered using a DE when he was younger. I think he just wanted to get a peak at the '48 Aristocrat!

These are the "flight" razors I take along now:

 

[hawklet00]

i bought a gillette fat handle tech on vacation about a month and a half ago. when i flew home i took it out of my carry on, with no blades in the razor or the case it came in, and put it out separately. after it went through the x ray, they needed to run it though a second time for some unknown reason. the tsa and its agents really have no common sense or intelligence, so if you are traveling and have a checked bag, i would just put it in there.

 

[Wingnut]

Just a reminder: while DE and SE razors ARE allowed as carry-ons, blades are a BIG no-no in your carry-on. If you're checking a bag, you can put them in your checked luggage--otherwise either pick some up at your destination or mail some to yourself care of your hotel. On your way back home, remember to REMOVE THE BLADE before packing your razor.

Although the TSA's regulations about DE and SE blades seem (and, arguably are) capricious and nonsensical, you do NOT want to be pulled out of line for a "special" screening sesssion and possibly miss your flight. Rule #1: NEVER argue with someone who is in uniform and armed. You're not going to win, and if you annoy him he's highly capable of making your life much more difficult.

 

[ateace]

Well said, Wingnut.

I very rarely take a DE on the road. If I do fly with one, it goes in checked luggage so as not to risk
being pulled aside on the security line.

 

[Dm489]

Goes in carryon, and I buy blades when I get to town.


Put your razor in a thick case, with other toiletry items that do not contain liquids- your brush, toothbrush, contact case, etc.. It'll get passed over so long as your blades aren't in there.

 

[Lmarkow]

All good advice here. Thanks guys. FYI, CVS (drugstore brand) blades shave, but not like feathers, sharks, etc.

 

[ackvil]

I have never had a problem with my DE or SE razors in my carry one. In fact, a number of times TSA agents have asked me what it is and have marveled that I use such a razor. I have had Proraso confiscated when I forgot I had packed it. I always mail my blades to the hotel or location where I will be staying.

 

[amit711]

I simply check in my small strolley I travel a lot - two days a week on an average. So I am practically living out of my small strolley.
I have to spend an additional 10-15 minutes to pick up my checked-in luggage, but I'm fine with this.

Regards
amit

 

[Snidely]

I've had nice conversations with curious security people. I bring my razor in carry on. Blades are in checked luggage. They usually want to see the razor to make sure there isn't a blade in it. Then they admire the razor--currently an EJ89--so elegant compared to carts.

 

[Lmarkow]

Indeed.

 

[John B]

I wonder what would happen if you wrapped a little 10-pack of DE blades in foil in your carry-on? I suppose it might make them curious and then they might be mad at you for trying to get by them...
I really don't see why hey are so uptight about DE blades. How could you do any damage while holding one of these - you fingers would be cut to ribbons. Now SE....

 

[John B]

Imarkow, How did it work out with the CVS blades? I've tried them and was not impressed -kinda rough and not very sharp, it seemed.

 

[Redstickjohn]

SWMBO and I just got back from Paris. I checked my DE and blades in my checked baggage, and obviously had no issues. I can't imagine traveling without a DE, so checking is my only option, and a good one, I think.

 

[Wingnut]

I wonder what would happen if you wrapped a little 10-pack of DE blades in foil in your carry-on? I suppose it might make them curious and then they might be mad at you for trying to get by them...
I really don't see why hey are so uptight about DE blades. How could you do any damage while holding one of these - you fingers would be cut to ribbons. Now SE....

BAD, BAD, BAD idea!

First rule of flying: never annoy anyone who:
1) carries a sidearm, and
2) can make your whole day--if not the rest of your life--very painful if he or she so chooses.

While I agree in theory with your logic, that's not the point at all here. Remember, it's not whether things make sense to you or not, it's whether those things are allowed in a carry-on or not by the TSA. Period. End of discussion.

Want to change things? Run for elected office, write letters, protest outside the TSA offices, etc. but PLEASE don't make it harder for the rest of us wet-shavers (and fellow travelers) behind you in the TSA line by trying to sneak some DE blades through in your carry-on.

If you absolutely have to have your DE blades when traveling, buy some at you destination or send some to yourself via the mail, c/o your hotel. They'll hold them for you until you arrive, and you can mail 15 blades taped to a piece of paper in an envelope with just a single first class stamp.

 

[fivespdcat]

I've got about 300,000 miles traveled with my DE in my carry on. The worst I ever had was an agent asked to take it out for inspection. Never any issues in multiple countries and states. The above advice is about the best, do not **** off people that can make your day go from bad to unbearable. Most of them are doing their job the best they can and as always, we like to be treated with respect just as they do. Additionally, I do understand why razor blades are not allowed, you can do lots of things to make them useable in any fashion. I have no problem leaving them in checked luggage.

 

[John B]

Yes - I assure you wasn't really planning to try the foil thing! Just wondering...

I have an upcoming trip and would want to have carry-on only. I think I'll adopt the excellent suggestion of mailing some blades ahead - first stop is with a relative so that will be easy. That's in England: then I'll be in France but that will be all train travel (love the TGV, when will the US wake up to the joy of 186-mph city center to city center travel...) Final leg is by air Duesseldorf-London-Boston but I can take a disposable for that.

Supplemental question, again re carry-on: Do you think a shaving stick (Arco or Speick) will be OK? It's not a liquid or a gel - the only think is, could they think it is plastic explosive in disguise? Maybe I should mail that ahead too, just to be safe.

 

[Lucidor]

Good Topic!
I just got back from Istanbul. Checked the blades, as I have done all the time. The security officer asked to see my Gillette, but I wasn't cheeky and corrected him that it was an Edwin Jagger. When he saw it wasn't loaded with a blade, there was no problems. Most other times last year when flying with it I haven't had to even show it. Sure, European and Asian security aren't TSA. I have never taken off my shoes.

 

[Giant Kiwi]

I have an upcoming trip and would want to have carry-on only. I think I'll adopt the excellent suggestion of mailing some blades ahead - first stop is with a relative so that will be easy. That's in England: then I'll be in France but that will be all train travel (love the TGV, when will the US wake up to the joy of 186-mph city center to city center travel...) Final leg is by air Duesseldorf-London-Boston but I can take a disposable for that.

Supplemental question, again re carry-on: Do you think a shaving stick (Arco or Speick) will be OK? It's not a liquid or a gel - the only think is, could they think it is plastic explosive in disguise? Maybe I should mail that ahead too, just to be safe.

John you can buy blades in most Boots (like CVS) chemists and in french supermarkets.
As for a soap stick, I've traveled through airports quite a bit here in Europe and they don't bat an eyelid (usually La Toja), my mini proraso tub even gets through.

 

[ButtermilkJones]

Right after I started DE shaving, I went on a long weekend trip to Boston with a large group and debated whether or not I should mail some ahead or try and find some in town. Since none of us were checking luggage, that wasn't an option, and I ended up mailing a single blade to the hotel and picking it up when I got there. I didn't have any trouble going through security, and my bag didn't even slow down going down the conveyer...unlike one of the people in our group, who had buried a CPAP machine deep in his bag.