Can You Bring a Razor on a Plane? [7 Types Tested]

Considering all the jokes about people having nail scissors and tweezers confiscated by airport security (though at one point some of them were actually true!) it’s always surprised me that I never got stopped for having a razor in my hand luggage.

But have I just been lucky so far? Can you actually mean to take a razor on a plane? Well I did some research to find out the full rules.

Yes, you can take a razor on a plane, but not all types. Gillette style razors and electric razors are fine, as are disposable razors but it’s a big no to safety razors and straight or ‘cutthroat’ razors (unless you remove the blades).

Below is everything you need to know about the types of razor you can and can’t take on a plane.

Can You Bring a Razor on a Plane?

Yes, you can bring a razor on a plane – well certainly the modern types that are bough in supermarkets. More traditional razors with removable, dangerous blades will either need to go in the hold or have their blades removed to travel with you in the cabin.

Can You Bring a Razor in a Carry On?

Yes, you can bring a razor in a carry on, though it must be a modern style razor – sometimes known as a cartridge razor, or which you would be familiar seeing hanging up in a supermarket or available to order online.

You would recognise companies such as Gillette, Dollar Shave Club, Harry’s and BIC falling in this category – although BIC tend to make disposable rather than cartridge razors, but these are deemed safe enough too.

Electric razors are also allowed in carry on bags.

Cut through (or straight razors) and the original, vintage ‘safety’ razors are not allowed in carry ons unless they have had their blades removed.

Razor Types

Below is the research I’ve done on the common razor types and whether or not it’s possible to bring them on a plane.

Can Your Bring a Gillette Razor on an Airplane?

Yes, you can bring a Gillette razor on a plane (and any other cartridge razors made by other brands). These are considered safe as the blades are difficult to remove and are allowed in the cabin in hand luggage.

I frequently travel from Melbourne (if you’re heading here check out my favourite things to do in Melbourne) to other cities around Australia and have never been stopped for having a razor of this type in my bag.

Can You Bring Disposable Razors on a Plane?

Yes, you can bring a disposable razor on a plane and they are allowed in hand luggage. these are classified in the same way as cartridge razors with them being deemed safe enough to take onboard.

Can You Bring an Electric Razor on a Plane?

Yes, electric razors are allowed on a plane in both hand luggage and in the hold.

It is probably best to put keep them with you in hand luggage, as there have been instances reported online of rechargeable electric razors turning on and being removed from bags by customs officials as the vibrations alerted them of an issue. There are also restrictions on lithium batteries going into the hold so, as ever, check with your airline before travelling.

Can You Bring a Safety Razor on a Plane?

I have to confess to not really knowing what a safety razor was before doing the research for this article.

Now I know what I know, I’m also very surprised it’s called a ‘safety razor’ at all!

A safety razor is vintage style razor, with a removable blade clamped in between metal housings. When you compare it to the alternative at the time (see ‘straight razor’ below) it was much safer to use, but given the removable blade I still think calling it safe was a bit of a stretch!

You only allowed to bring a safety razor on a plane with the blade removed – the razor blade itself must go into checked baggage.

READ NEXT: Can You Bring a Pocket Knife on a Plane?

Can You Bring a Straight Razor on a Plane?

If you didn’t know what a straight razor was before, you do now and, one look at the photo above should tell you it’s not going to be allowed on a plane!

Straight razors can be placed in checked baggage but not taken with you into the cabin in hand luggage. Given the straight razor’s alternate name is a ‘cutthroat razor’ I don’t think this is much of a surprise!

There are some types of straight razor where the blade can be removed, in which case you can travel with the razor itself as long as the razor blade is removed and put in the hold. Traditionally though, straight razors are a single piece of metal that needs sharpening, so expect security to be on the look out for these, as it’s unusual to find a blameless one.

READ NEXT: Can You Bring a Lighter on a Plane? [*10+ Types Checked*]

Can You Bring Razor Blades on a Plane?

Well this depends.

If they are the modern style razor blade cartridges ready to be used in a Gillette style razor then yes, they can travel with you in either hand luggage or hold luggage.

If they are the type of razor blade used in more traditional razors then they need to be removed and placed in hold luggage.

Eyebrow Razor

An eyebrow razor is a razor with a small, targeted blade and curved handle to help keep eyebrows shaped.

Eyebrow razors are allowed in carry on luggage as long as the blade is secured and cannot be removed.

Finishing Up

I hope this research helped answer your question!

Check out one of my popular posts: 19 Alternative Travel Tips I Use On Every Trip if you’ve got a few extra minutes to spare.

Happy Travels,

Ben

P.S.

Here are my favourite countries in the world if you’re looking for some travel inspiration.