I'm traveling a lot again and thought, gee, I wonder what people are packing in *their* on the road shave kits. Here is a commentary on mine together with a few pics as we go..... though I guess that'll have to be the post after this one... First off, this is for checked baggage, which has a tendency to get lost and sometimes not be retrieved so nothing too too pricey or fancy - just what I think of as solid essentials. I'm not including any AS or Colognes this trip as Ive some items on order from Mama Bear which haven't arrived yet and I've yet to decant the Bay Rum I got from Vintage Blades into a small travel bottle - BTW anybody got any suggestions on what kind of bottle to use (dont say unbreakable.....)
Heres the follow up to "this trip" I started with a Merkur travel razor (I cant praise Jim at Vintage Blades enough, his customer service is superb).... was just taken aback at the size of the thing in its case... Ive added a pack of German Wilkies, mainly for the disposal slot in the rear of the pack but in this shot it gives you a good idea of the size of the encased razor. Here it is out of the case; 4 pieces, the handle being in two sections which nest one inside the other - the head appears to be identical to a standard Merkur head. The whole thing screws together and you're ready to go. For a travel brush and stands I got a small Vulfix 1000A and an acrylic stand. The stand gives good protection when packed Irally wasnt taken with the travel brush in tube that L'Occiental (SP?) had at the local mall. Nor its price given the hazards of travel. Here is a shot of my bits set out on a tray provided by the Hotel (yes, I'm on the road again) - I'm also traveling with an Alum block and styptic pencil (courtesy Vintage Blades, thanks Jim!). Regrettably I forgot to put my Thayers Witch Hazel with Lemon out for the photo but I do have a small sample size with me. The soap for this trip is Mama Bears Basil Lime - so far I've got at least six of her soaps and just love them. What I have to work on is layered AS and or colognes for them (but Ill save that for another post). and The hotel here has kindly provided a selection of 5 fluids and 2 soaps everything from Mint Mouthwash to Yuzu Bergamot moisturizer.... not to mention a rather nice nook in which to enjoy them. So, what's in your bag this trip?
Checked Baggage: Feather Travel Razor Double Edge Blade of Choice - Usually Feather Triple Milled Soap or Lined Container of Cream Tweezerman Wooden Handle Brush You're right, luggage gets lost and the stuff I bring is expendable. Carry-on: De Razor and Blade is switched out to a Gillette Sensor
Yeah, I wasnt sure about DE blades as carry on - I mean I know TSA would have a fit and all but would they actually recognize it for what it was in a head on a broken down travel unit like the one pictured on an XRay? Sigh.
I seem to be a bit of a road warrior lately; fortunately it doesn't involve air travel. This allows me to be a little more free with my choices. C&E pure travel brush in tube small handthrown bowl 1904 w/ assorted blades (never know in what kind of mood you'll wake up) 2 oz tub of Nomad small bottle of witch hazel small bottle of coral skin food Packs small enough while still allowing me to enjoy my time at the sink. Have a great night!
I travel 85% of the time for work. All of my travel time is by car within the state of Texas. I can carry a larger selection of items to include my straight razors and strop. I carry a selection of soaps and creams in tubes or sample size selection. I carry Pinaud Clubman in the plastic bottle as well as a Proraso ASB and a number of edt samples. This is in addition to the basic toothbrush, toothpaste and mouthwash. For example this week: English straight razors Shavemaster V100 brush Scorpio Lemon Shaving soap Scorpio Goat Milk Shaving soap Proraso ASB Hydrolast COnditioner ASB Lavender EDt's Masters AS SS flare tip with IP for touch ups Scorpio Travel Strop Raf
Optic...for travel bottles, try these...leakproof, different sizes. I'm thinking of ordering this kit of different sizes. Can't beat the price.
I just got back from a week and a half on the road. Shaving gear in checked luggage: Gillette Slim Adjustable Derby Extra blades 5/8 Straight, Columbia 2 sided paddle strop C&E travel brush in tube Proraso Red cream (wheat germ) MB Bay w/Tangerine soap Aqua Velva Musk L'Occitane Cade A/S splash Alum block I ended up using the Slim adjustable and Proraso red cream most days, pretty much alternated 50/50 between the two aftershaves depending on mood. It's a pity this cream has been discontinued.
I have a standing travel kit I always bring along when going away.. Gillette Flared Tip Superspeed Derbys Muehle Custom Silvertip travel brush Muehle Ocean Ss Floid AS Mama Bear Docs Northern Dragon Cologne (in 10ml Atomizer) Mama Bear Beau Brummel Cologne (in 10ml Atomizer) Works wonders every time !
Agreed that a three piece is typically the best thing for travel. I will probably bring my 1904 clasic on my next holiday. it does not see much action these days in the shave den since it has been surplanted by the super speeds in terms of shave quality. I guess that its a good idea to get it out of the den.
<<Why Gotherburg..>> My father was contracting to Eriksberg at the time so off we went.... 6 years in Sweden.... WoooHoooo!
I hardly travel lately (for extended periods of time), but on the most recent trip (back in March?) I had the following with me: Merkur Slant Bar Derby Blades The Gentleman's Quarter Orange & Patchouli Shave Soap Aqua Velva Classic Weleda Aftershave Balm
I dont travel much..... [vbpg]577[/vbpg] but when the family unit goes away for a break I take with me: 1950-ish SS (but I just was gifted a golden Tech by Bronco I'll prolly use from now on) Feather Blades Simpsons Super Chubby1 Musgo Real Cream AV MUSK AS splash (altho I gots me some Musgo real AS splash since my last trip Knize Ten EdT
I have an cheap nylon toiletries bag and load it with: 40's SS w/ an old Feather blade container containing a couple of Feathers and IP's AOS Pure Badger brush in an empty toilet paper roll tube (a bit redneckish, I know) Mama Bear or Proraso soap (something with a lid) Small atomizer of Thayer's Proraso or CAR Hydrolast ASB
I've got an old travel bag - sort of a rectangular thing that I keep packed for travel though I keep my travel brush on the shelf on its stand to avoid mildew etc. Generally there is an MB screw top soap in there, a dedicated alum block, dedicated Thayers Witch Hazel (sample size), mini styptic etc. and of course the little Merku Travel razor I showed im my original post. Still working an a dedicated AS/Cologne. Wish MB did sample sizes of AS Milk/Cologne etc. just to save us the decanting /repackaging hassle & attendant spills --- maybe as a special order, I'll have to ask.