First Shave With an Open Comb

[coonskinner]

I have been shaving with a 1948 Super Speed for about three or four weeks.

Yesterday I picked up an old type Gillette Open Comb for a ten spot, and cleaned it up.

I shaved with it this morning.

I had read upon these and found that they were reputedly more agressive than the razor I have been using, so I put a Derby blade in it.

Derbys have not been my favorite, but they are supposed to be forgiving and mild.

Well...I had the best shave I have ever had with Derby, and maybe my best shave ever.

I suppose it could have to do with me being extra careful because I knew I was using a more aggressive razor, but it any case I'm a fan.

 

[TacticalPanda]

I don't know where the perception comes from that open combs are more aggressive than safety bar razors, since the type of bar has nothing to do with aggressiveness. Haven't tried my Old Type yet, just might now.

 

[Chadao]

When I started lurking I saw a comment, somewhere on B&B, saying OCs were very aggressive. I had just bought a 1904 but got scared because of my tremors, and PIFed it before trying it.
Now, ironically, I have an iKon and the closed comb is very aggressive, whilst the OC is perfect for me.

 

[Loganpass]

Aggressiveness, efficiency, smoothness, bite, etc... We really need to form a committee and bureaucratically nail down the definitions and standards for this stuff! That said, I find it somehow funny when my OC razors leave rake marks in the lather on my face. Other than that, I'm not convinced that it makes much difference to my shave. I can feel more blade from my adjustable razors which have safety bars when they're cranked up than my OC razors. Ymmv, which is always the case.

 

[chgruver]

Aggressiveness, efficiency, smoothness, bite, etc... We really need to form a committee and bureaucratically nail down the definitions and standards for this stuff! That said, I find it somehow funny when my OC razors leave rake marks in the lather on my face. Other than that, I'm not convinced that it makes much difference to my shave. I can feel more blade from my adjustable razors which have safety bars when they're cranked up than my OC razors. Ymmv, which is always the case.

Only each definition would have YMMV at the end as I have seen some people claim one razor to be aggressive and another mild and then others to claim what some say is mild to be aggressive and what was said to be aggressive to be mild.

 

[Jeff_H]

The Old Type is a very aggressive, mild, great, awful shaver. There is way too much blade gap while the gap is not wide enough to be effective and the blade exposure is so large while not exposing enough of the blade.

Seriously, I've had 2 very decent shaves with mine so far. They do feel a little different because of the flatter radius of the baseplate, so the blade seems a little straighter against your face. With that said, I really enjoy it and think I will like it more and more as I get used to it.

Congrats on a nice razor.

 

[BaritoneJP]

The Old Type is a very aggressive, mild, great, awful shaver. There is way too much blade gap while the gap is not wide enough to be effective and the blade exposure is so large while not exposing enough of the blade

I had to read that twice ... LOL

I have shaved for one week now with an OC and love it. First with a LC, then with a short ... I'm looking for other types to see how they do ... Without spending flea bay bloated prices...

And yes, my mileage does vary ;-)

 

[nymtber]

I have a NEW long comb and at first I was a bit careful, but its really not that much more aggressive than my SuperSpeed. It is, however, a LOT more efficient, meaning it removes whiskers without trying. I had a 5 day growth that it mowed down with a blade that already had 4 shaves on it in a superspeed, and it was one of my best shaves so far!

Gillette OC razors are good stuff!

 

[77TransAm]

The Old Type is a very aggressive, mild, great, awful shaver. There is way too much blade gap while the gap is not wide enough to be effective and the blade exposure is so large while not exposing enough of the blade.

Seriously, I've had 2 very decent shaves with mine so far. They do feel a little different because of the flatter radius of the baseplate, so the blade seems a little straighter against your face. With that said, I really enjoy it and think I will like it more and more as I get used to it.

Congrats on a nice razor.

This statement contradicts itself in so many ways, I don't know where to start.

I love my Old Types, every single one of them. They provide an excellent shave. The blade gap is perfect, but very different from an adjustable where you can crank up the gap to make it massive. Also, I find that holding the razor to the face is a little different because the way the blade comes out. You have to hold it on a smaller angle with the cap closer to your face I find, or else you're just dragging the blade against your face causing irritation.

Regardless, not everyone has the same experience with the same razor.

 

[chgruver]

This statement contradicts itself in so many ways, I don't know where to start.

I love my Old Types, every single one of them. They provide an excellent shave. The blade gap is perfect, but very different from an adjustable where you can crank up the gap to make it massive. Also, I find that holding the razor to the face is a little different because the way the blade comes out. You have to hold it on a smaller angle with the cap closer to your face I find, or else you're just dragging the blade against your face causing irritation.

Regardless, not everyone has the same experience with the same razor.

I think he was getting at my statement that some people will state one razor is more aggressive than another, while others will state the exact opposite.

 

[dgilman]

I have been shaving with a 1948 Super Speed for about three or four weeks.

Yesterday I picked up an old type Gillette Open Comb for a ten spot, and cleaned it up.

I shaved with it this morning.

I had read upon these and found that they were reputedly more agressive than the razor I have been using, so I put a Derby blade in it.

Derbys have not been my favorite, but they are supposed to be forgiving and mild.

Well...I had the best shave I have ever had with Derby, and maybe my best shave ever.

I suppose it could have to do with me being extra careful because I knew I was using a more aggressive razor, but it any case I'm a fan.

That was kind of a steal for $10! Shave-worthy Old Types are harder to find than I would have guessed before I tried. Enjoy the old-school shaving goodness!

 

[ArNav]

Open combs aren't always aggressive. For example, Merkur 11c - the open comb twin of 34c - is milder than it.

 

[coonskinner]

That was kind of a steal for $10! Shave-worthy Old Types are harder to find than I would have guessed before I tried. Enjoy the old-school shaving goodness!

This morning was another great shave.

I am loving this old razor.