Hey guys, I was just curious to see what everyone's preferences were on vintage comb-style DE razors, since I haven't been able to snag one just yet and I've been looking around online to pick one up. Can anybody recommend a good, solid shaver for someone with a heavier beard? It seems like some can be quite mild, while others can be more aggressive (which, for someone like me is a huge plus). Any info would be greatly appreciated!
Best vintage comb razor?
- Thread starter UTWahoo
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I have sometimes used an Old type for the WTG and a New for the XTG, followed by a tech on the ATG. I'm fairly heavy whiskered and haven't found either open comb to be mild. It also depends on your blade choice. The Old type seems to be a little more aggressive.
I don't hava a broad range of experience, but I shaved for the first time with a long comb New (#88) a few weeks ago and haven't been able to finish a single shave with anything else since. My two favorite solid guard razors are the #21 and #58 (in that order), and I still love them both. But the #88 (same as a #77) delivers a superior shaving experience as well as results for me.
I don't think my #88 is necessarily more aggressive in terms of blade angle and/or exposure, and it certainly weighs less than the #21 and #58, but it is incredibly nimble and its blade angle/exposure combined with its compactness yields a range of usable shaving angles that no TTO I've tried comes close to.
I'm sure many would not like the small handle size of the #77/#88, and since it's a 2-piece there's not much that can be done about that. But it doesn't bother me at all. In fact, I like it. It's like wielding a fine surgical instrument, and overall, I find this razor to be very well balanced.
I am, however, eager to find and try a 3-piece New.
I don't think my #88 is necessarily more aggressive in terms of blade angle and/or exposure, and it certainly weighs less than the #21 and #58, but it is incredibly nimble and its blade angle/exposure combined with its compactness yields a range of usable shaving angles that no TTO I've tried comes close to.
I'm sure many would not like the small handle size of the #77/#88, and since it's a 2-piece there's not much that can be done about that. But it doesn't bother me at all. In fact, I like it. It's like wielding a fine surgical instrument, and overall, I find this razor to be very well balanced.
I am, however, eager to find and try a 3-piece New.
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Any NEW variant is a solid choice for open-comb: readily available, well-made (gold wash aside), and does a good job on most beards.
http://mr-razor.com/Rasierer/The NEW/The NEW.htm
http://mr-razor.com/Rasierer/The NEW/The NEW.htm
There seems to be a general consensus that the LC NEW is the pinnacle of razors. I really enjoy using different ones, just to try them, but my goto when it has to be a quick, good, nick free shave with no weepers, is the LC NEW. I don't think I have ever let any blood with it. Of course, that could change the next time I use it. And YMMV
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While I love my LC New, I love my SC New just a little bit better. Both are very fine razors. As always, YMMV.
I agree with all of the recommendations but let's not forget the one piece Gillette open combs like the Senator, Sheraton, and 1930's Aristocrat. They are a tad bit smoother than the OC's mentioned above with the effectiveness of an OC. They can get pricey but they're a joy to shave with.
What SC New do you have?
I have a Senator, but I haven't been able to bring myself to try it yet. I don't think it's ever been used.
You have to......If you do, use a nice glycerin based soap so it's not a hassle to clean afterwards.
I have the Gillette New and Old types and love them both. I suggest you try both, you can pick up user-grade ones cheap and decide for yourself. Enjoy your shave!
I like the New ... the Old Types probably need to have a dummy blade put in before the razor blade is put in to raise the razor blade angle.
The New used the New Thin Blades and the Old used the old thick blades so a dummy blade in first should raise the blade a bit.
Now I have to get my Dremel Tool out and drill my razor blade holes out in my razor blades and make them bigger so I can put the blade on my Cooper razor.
Then, I need to make a bigger hole and put the blade on my one of my Segal razors.
Enjoy.
The New used the New Thin Blades and the Old used the old thick blades so a dummy blade in first should raise the blade a bit.
Now I have to get my Dremel Tool out and drill my razor blade holes out in my razor blades and make them bigger so I can put the blade on my Cooper razor.
Then, I need to make a bigger hole and put the blade on my one of my Segal razors.
Enjoy.
+1. Certainly this should be your first choice.
I'd kinda wondered about that. I have an Old Type on the way -- or will shortly. What do you use for a dummy blade?
Hmmn.. It's tough to say the only old combs that I have tried that I like are the Gillette New Short and Long combs and old type. Have not tried others.
This comes up here every so often. The old blades WERE thicker. But we are talking micrometers. And when you half that, it's an insignificant amount. Someone measured it and posted somewhere, it was like .0001 micrometers.
Tech Handled New and British New Service Set (or British 7 O'Clock variants of the Service Set) are the vintage OC's of choice for me.
They have the same teeth pattern as the #77 / #88's (which is slightly different to US Long and Short Comb New's in that the teeth are slightly thicker and their length is about half-way between a Long and Short Comb), but being 3-piece razors allow the use of different handles if needs be.
They have the same teeth pattern as the #77 / #88's (which is slightly different to US Long and Short Comb New's in that the teeth are slightly thicker and their length is about half-way between a Long and Short Comb), but being 3-piece razors allow the use of different handles if needs be.
Long comb New all the way. Even better if its one from bobs razor works.
The best vintage open comb razor is the long comb NEW Belmont Deluxe or the exceptionally rare thick handled two piece long comb NEW.
Or so I can imagine.
Or so I can imagine.
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