I travel regularly for both business and pleasure. If you’re going on a simple overland trip, taking a DE safety razor with you is not a problem. It’s when you fly by airplane through TSA that you will run into issues. When doing so, there are a number of considerations when thinking about taking your double-edge safety razor.
The following alternative options exist for the flying wet shaver.
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Use a cartridge razor
We have discussed before that cartridge razors and safety razors are not mutually exclusive. You can use both. I have a couple of cartridges set aside for this very purpose. In fact, traveling on airplanes is really the only time I use multi-blade cartridge razors. I personally find it funny that some of the most hardcore wet shaving enthusiasts refuse to use cartridge razors at all. If you’re a more regular traveler and just simply love the feel and experience of wet shaving, then the remaining three options may be a better fit for you.
Throw some DE blades into a carry-on
While fully-exposed DE blades are prohibited in carry-on bags, you are allowed to stow away your DE razor blades in your checked baggage. If you’re checking some bags, this is the easiest solution: drop the blades in your gag.
Purchase some blades at your destination
Depending on where you are traveling, it may be fairly convenient just to purchase some DE safety razor blades when you arrive at your destination city. However, as any good wet shaving enthusiast knows, sometimes it’s not as easy as you would like to easily go to the drugstore and purchase double-edge blades. So, sometimes this option is not as feasible, depending on your eventual destination.
Use a plastic disposable DE razor set
We do not sell them on our website, but certain vendors sell disposable, plastic double edge safety razors for between $0.50 and $1.00. They’re not as friendly on the environment, but TSA shouldn’t give you an issue.
When I travel, I usually like to be as time and cost-efficient as possible. In other words, I do not like to check bags if I don’t have too. I also like to avoid getting frisked at the TSA checkpoints. In two separate instances where I went for options 2 and 3 above, I was stopped because my carry-on included a safety razor, but not the blades. This always slows the time required to move through airport security. If I’m checking bags, I will also typically include my safety razor in my checked baggage as well.
If you’re looking for a small-handled, compact, travel-friendly safety razor, you can find them on our website.
What is your typical airline travel solution for double-edge safety razor shavers? How do you work within the rules of air travel and still use a safety razor?