Gillette Open Comb Razor

[Poppalou52]

Good evening,
I came across a very old Gillette Open Comb razor that my Father shaved with many, many years ago. It is a very short, gold plated razor with an open Comb but no name, other than Gillette. It is stamped with "Made in the U.S.A" and has several patent numbers on it, including a "reissue" patent number.
My question is this: being a Newbie, should I avoid shaving with this razor due to the aggressive nature of an open comb. Your opinions are appreciated, as always!

 

[Alum Ladd]

Good evening,
I came across a very old Gillette Open Comb razor that my Father shaved with many, many years ago. It is a very short, gold plated razor with an open Comb but no name, other than Gillette. It is stamped with "Made in the U.S.A" and has several patent numbers on it, including a "reissue" patent number.
My question is this: being a Newbie, should I avoid shaving with this razor due to the aggressive nature of an open comb. Your opinions are appreciated, as always!

Photos please!

from the re-issue reference, I suspect it is a Gillette New, which were made from the early 30's on to 1945-6 I believe.

Open combs are not necessarily 'aggressive'. They are often highly efficient razors. I would certainly shave with it. Many newbies back in the day did! Just keep a light pressure and keep the angle shallow as you get the hang of it

It may be a Short or Long comb. This is due to the size and placement of the teeth. The long has longer and more curved teeth like this Otto Roth / Gillette (a brand of Gillette which it subsumed)

 

[NorthernSoul]

If you have a NEW, that's not a real aggressive razor. Somewhere in the middle range, I'd say. It precedes the Tech, and has a lot in common with that razor. Just don't use a lot of pressure, watch your shaving angle, and you should be fine.

 

[ajkel64]

Photos please. You have left us in suspense with your query. I must see this lovely heirloom safety razor.

 

[DrStrange]

Photos please!

from the re-issue reference, I suspect it is a Gillette New, which were made from the early 30's on to 1945-6 I believe.

Open combs are not necessarily 'aggressive'. They are often highly efficient razors. I would certainly shave with it. Many newbies back in the day did! Just keep a light pressure and keep the angle shallow as you get the hang of it

It may be a Short or Long comb. This is due to the size and placement of the teeth. The long has longer and more curved teeth like this Otto Roth / Gillette (a brand of Gillette which it subsumed)

I have 4 different American made open comb Gillettes with reissued patents.

One is a New Short Comb which shaves less closely
than any of my other DE Gillettes.

The others are Goodwills, 160, 162, and 164.
The 162 and the 164 are based on the Old Type.
The tops of the base plates are curved.
The 160, which is my favorite open comb,
is based on the New Long Comb.

 

[BigJ]

Great advice above! As others note, photos would really help!

 

[Poppalou52]

Photos please!

from the re-issue reference, I suspect it is a Gillette New, which were made from the early 30's on to 1945-6 I believe.

Open combs are not necessarily 'aggressive'. They are often highly efficient razors. I would certainly shave with it. Many newbies back in the day did! Just keep a light pressure and keep the angle shallow as you get the hang of it

It may be a Short or Long comb. This is due to the size and placement of the teeth. The long has longer and more curved teeth like this Otto Roth / Gillette (a brand of Gillette which it subsumed)

Here is the picture of my razor. You will notice the Patent Numbers are the same. The main difference is Gillette is stamped on the base plate. Based on all the posts, I think I will give this razor a shot with a very mild blade, and paying close attention to my technique. BTW, I love the "Alum Ladd" name. Classic!

 

[gpjoe]

Definitely use it.

It's a great shaver - but even better: it's Dad's.

 

[Breen]

I vote USE IT!

...and welcome to B&B!!

 

[DrStrange]

Here is the picture of my razor. You will notice the Patent Numbers are the same. The main difference is Gillette is stamped on the base plate. Based on all the posts, I think I will give this razor a shot with a very mild blade, and paying close attention to my technique. BTW, I love the "Alum Ladd" name. Classic!View attachment 1709732View attachment 1709732

That's a New Short Comb.
I have that exact same razor.

Some additional reading if you're interested:

Search results for query: new short comb

www.badgerandblade.com

 

[ajkel64]

Thanks for the photos. Beautiful razor, just give it a spa and use it and remember the good times with your dad. I do this when I occasionally use my grandfathers techs.

 

[ivan_101]

Seems like a NEW short comb to me.

 

[Goblin]

Looks like your dad had good taste! Use it!

 

[RxNestEgg]

Nice that the handle is still in good shape (they split easily). Treasure it!

 

[MondoJ]

Shave with it figure it out like your Dad did….true homage

 

[dmshaver]

Welcome to B & B, enjoy!

 

[Dave himself]

Hi and welcome to B&B. I'm also in the shave with it club.

 

[Qanzoq]

Another vote for get stuck in and use it - razors are made to be used not sit on a shelf looking pretty
I would also say in my limited experience that aggressive simply means efficient
Like any razor treat it with respect,look after it,observe proper technique

Most of all
Enjoy the shave

 

[cajunrph]

Welcome and a vote to use it. I asked my mom if she still had any of my father's safety razors. She didn't. Enjoy the razor and have fond memories of your dad.

 

[ivan_101]

Nice that the handle is still in good shape (they split easily). Treasure it!

That is a common bar handle. They rarely will split.
The cracks are on the ballend handles used on Old Types (in the 20s) and NEWs.