Different Open Comb Heads

[chicken neck]

I am very interested to understand the different types of vintage open comb that are available. If we ignore the differences in handle and whether its a TTO or fixed head, just how many different heads are there?

To kick-off, I know that these are all different heads:

Old Type
NEW Improved
NEW short tooth
NEW long tooth

Are the heads of the single / double ring identical to the heads of the Old Type? Are the heads of the various TTO models the same as any of the above razors?

I know the handle and TTO/fixed will make a difference to the balance of the razor, but I am really trying to figure out how many different types of razor I need to buy to test the open combs! Then once I now which kind of head I like, I can focus in on the best handle / head mechanism.

I have an Old Type and a NEW at the moment. How do I tell if the NEW is a short or long tooth version? Which others should I try? Anyone want to sell?

Thanks gents

 

[Oldguy]

Here's the difference between the New long and short comb.
View attachment 60895

All of the open combs are different as far as aggressiveness goes. I believe the New is the least aggressive and the New Improved the most.

Len

 

[merwtje]

I like this New short comb (teeth) very much and in particular because of the blade is pressed between the cap and baseplate all the way.

 

[razor_n_blade]

We had a big discussion on this subject not too long ago which you can read about right here.

 

[ctakim]

The American Gillette TTO open combs are the '34 Aristocrat, the Sheraton and the Senator. The Brits might have had their versions, too!

 

[chicken neck]

Achim - apparently somewhere you compare and contrast the open comb TTOSs. Please can you point me in the direction of that thread. From the photos I have seen, the combs all look identical. Thanks

 

[Luc]

Thanks for the picture Len... Quick and easy!

 

[Bushranger]

from cross thread link above

http://www.theshaveden.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13097
http://www.theshaveden.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12649

 

[ctakim]

Alex, in the photo you show of the open combs the New Improved and the New Deluxe have different bottom knobs. I have examples of both types on a New Improved razor. Not sure if this is authentic or do I have Frankenrazors?

 

[luvmysuper]

Alex, in the photo you show of the open combs the New Improved and the New Deluxe have different bottom knobs. I have examples of both types on a New Improved razor. Not sure if this is authentic or do I have Frankenrazors?

I have two, and they both look like the head in C, but have the knob like F

Seems as if Gillette may have done some inter swapping (which is not unheard of based on other threads).

 

[ctakim]

The bottom knob as in F is certainly more common in my experience. The know that matches the handle pattern seems a bit more rare.

 

[razor_n_blade]

Alex, in the photo you show of the open combs the New Improved and the New Deluxe have different bottom knobs. I have examples of both types on a New Improved razor. Not sure if this is authentic or do I have Frankenrazors?

The razor with the knob that matches the handle is actually an Aristocrtat as you see in Mr. Razors's picture. I just recently learned this myself.