BOTOC Help

[Blue50F1]

I usually shave with straights, but on the weekends I lean toward DE's as that's the busiest time of the week for me. This morning I woke late and didn't have time to shave, so I shaved this evening. It was my first real shave with an open comb; near as I can tell a Gillette "Genuine" or "Old Type" razor from the 20's. No idea if the comb is long or short, but the back plate is smooth with three perfectly round holes (one for the screw cap, one for each "bullet") a thin handle with classic cracks at both ends.

The first pass was dream like. I usually use a Slim Adjustable passed down from my grandfather for my DE shaves, and shave with as much of the head touching the skin as possible (think, GEM Micromatic technique). I used a less perpendicular angle with the OC razor this evening and was pretty happy, thinking "I might have to keep hold of this one." But then I went into XTG/ATG second pass on the neck. Trying to keep the head against the skin as I do with the Adjustable I'm used to met with a lot of discomfort. Trying for a less perpendicular angle either cut nothing or caused pull. The end result is a fair amount of alum burn, something I'm no longer used to.

SO: Was my technique just way off base for an OC or are they just that much more aggressive? Thanks for your help.

Peace,
Jim

Shave Stats:
Prep: Hot towel soak
Soap: MWF
Razor: Gillette Genuine Ball End
Blade: Wilkinson Sword, German (Same blade I use with my Adjustable)
Post: Hot Rinse, Cold Rinse, Alum (standard for me)
Result: Serious neck burn, and a little cheek burn (not at all what I'm used to!)

 

[SteveWY]

I will be watching for advice similar. I technically had an open comb, a GEM Micromatic but have not used it much. Pretty scary for me. I just received a Cadet TP-27 OC yesterday. Love the look, finish, weight, etc. Today was first shave. I got a very close shave but I can see that angle is everything with more aggressive razors. I rarely get a nick or weeper but I had 5 today. I will stay with it but any advice on the transition from safety bar to open comb would be appreciated.

 

[Teppanyaki]

Open combs vary in aggressiveness, much like closed comb/safety bar razors. Some open combs would irritate my skin like heck, others would be very smooth.

 

[ThomasB98908]

My Merkur 15C does not irritate my neck at all and I can do multiple passes, but if I use my Gillette Old I loose blood. Different OC's have different levels of
agressivness so it just takes practice to find what works with each razor/blade combo. I like it a little more aggessive but I don't usually do an ATG pass, just a WTG and XTGs for good results.