DE89 vs. Gillette Old Type

[joshuastar]

So, I caved.

I just started DE shaving. I've been using an Old Type ball end from 1918. It's all I know. My blades were grocery store variety and don't seem to be very good. My soap is whatever came in the VDH Luxury set.

I had a kind member offer me a chrome DE89, a blade sampler pack and VDH deluxe soap for $30, shipped (thanks cpeter47!) and I got it.
My wife got me a small tube of Bigelow last week.

I told myself I would only change one thing at a time. I told myself.



Then, I used my DE89, astra sp's, and Bigelow today, all at once. What the heck; I just started DE shaving two weeks ago.

All that to say, that DE89 is waaay forgiving compared to my Old Type.


Questions:
What's the difference in this forgiveness? Is it open vs. closed combs? more vs. less blade exposed? A more weighty razor prompting me to use less pressure?

sub-question: my Old Type didn't seem to hold my blade straight; it was crooked once I screwed the handle all the way down. More blade edge was sticking out on one end than the other. I'm sure this probably didn't help my learning any. Was this user error?

 

[Samjax]

Well...there are a ton of guys here with far more experience; but the Old OC is considered by most to be a fairly aggressive razor - not R41 stuff - but probably fair to say it's easily as aggressive as a Fatboy on 9...if not more so. The Open Comb and the thinner head design and short teeth all contribute to this. The DE89 is built to purposely be a mild "auto pilot" razor and a very, very good one at that. The good news is, you own them both. When you're in a hurry and just want a great shave, grab the DE89. When you have a bit more time and want to get a bit closer, then grab your Old OC.

I can't speak to the blade question, my 1910 OC and my 1920 Big Fellow Old both line up nicely. I generally put the head face down on a towel, add the blade and gently take it from there. So far, they have lined up perfectly.

 

[joshuastar]

right on! great advice.

I've been putting my blades in the same way. I finally tried something other than my grocery store blades and it lined up fine in my Old Type! another reason to not use those blades...

 

[shave~extacy]

I have had a lot of different razors and IMO the de89 is the smoothest nicest shaving razor out there. I like to use mine with a ikon bulldog handle for the added weight.

 

[kingfisher]

The Old Type is much more aggressive than the DE89. I actually prefer it by a large margin, but I've been DE shaving for several years.

Blades have a tendency to line up incorrectly in any razor that uses a three-prong holding system like the Old Type does. When putting the blade in, you have to correct that visually and get it lined up as best you can as you tighten it down. It takes a few minutes, but it's not a big deal. And yes, having it misaligned could lead to a rougher shave.