Hamburger Face seeks Open Comb Advice

[TonyH]

Gillette Fatboy + Feather + setting at 9 = BBS every time.

Bull Mastiff Ultralight w/long comb NEW head + Feather = hamburger face.

***?!

I won the CoonCat in a PIF and it is sooooo cool, but I am having trouble getting the hang of it. My daily shaver (DE-wise) is a Fatboy that I've had for several years now. I use my straights about 80% of the time. I'm in no way, shape, or form a newb.

BUT...I've never used an open comb razor before. Have I stumbled onto something more aggressive than even my beloved wide open Fatboy?

What say ye face combers?

 

[thunderball]

I find my NEW to be quite aggressive as well and it takes a few times for me to get used to it after using my other Gillettes or Merkurs. To be completely honest, I don't really like it all that much...

 

[blades]

Open = different technique.

My open Comb causes weepers if I return to it after some neglect in rotation, my conclusion is that I have forgotten some aspect of technique, it is a very unforgiving razor.

My Progress is still by far my favourite razor, three pass BBS without weepers, but, if I have a 5 or 6 day beard then I reach for the NEW open comb and resign myself to a few weepers, and yes I'm well aware of of no pressure etc...

 

[DE Shaver]

I agee with the posters that changing your razor requires an adjustment to your technique. You'll need to know how the open comb razor shaves and compensate accordingly.

 

[cooncatbob]

Try a different blade in the NEW, I never use Feathers in my NEWs,
too aggressive.
Try a Derby.

 

[Wil Dorenbos]

Gillette Fatboy + Feather + setting at 9 = BBS every time.

Bull Mastiff Ultralight w/long comb NEW head + Feather = hamburger face.

***?!

I won the CoonCat in a PIF and it is sooooo cool, but I am having trouble getting the hang of it. My daily shaver (DE-wise) is a Fatboy that I've had for several years now. I use my straights about 80% of the time. I'm in no way, shape, or form a newb.

BUT...I've never used an open comb razor before. Have I stumbled onto something more aggressive than even my beloved wide open Fatboy?

What say ye face combers?

My open combs (old types) are VERY aggresssive, and I like that as I only do 2 passes and have a very coarse beard. But the open combs are also very smooth, shaving with them is fun. So, they are my go to razors. Tried a Gillette new (Goodwill Imperial) recently: no match for them (not aggressive enough ).

 

[TonyH]

I find my NEW to be quite aggressive as well and it takes a few times for me to get used to it after using my other Gillettes or Merkurs. To be completely honest, I don't really like it all that much...

My open combs (old types) are VERY aggresssive, and I like that as I only do 2 passes and have a very coarse beard. But the open combs are also very smooth, shaving with them is fun. So, they are my go to razors. Tried a Gillette new (Goodwill Imperial) recently: no match for them (not aggressive enough ).

I'm wondering if the shave I'm getting is so mild that I'm overcompensating with too much pressure. I'll be more conscious of it next time. I'd love to try a short comb Old Type. I'll have to watch for one of those.

 

[billc508]

I have a couple of 1934 vintage TTO open comb razors and I shave with
one of them in a regular rotation. Takes a little getting used to because of
the curvature of the comb and position of the blade. You do not need a
heavy touch at all with this type of shaver. I guess an angle about the
same as you have with the straight, no more, would sound about right to me.
Then, you just have to shave with it often enough to get your hand in with the razor.
It will work out if you stick with it.

 

[TonyH]

It occurs to me now that this thread should have been in the Clinic to start with. If a sharp eyed MOD would be so kind as to move it over there, I might get a few more looks.

Thanks and sorry.

 

[Wil Dorenbos]

I'm wondering if the shave I'm getting is so mild that I'm overcompensating with too much pressure. I'll be more conscious of it next time. I'd love to try a short comb Old Type. I'll have to watch for one of those.

That might be: use no pressure. Angle is simple: when there are no teeth in the lather, angle is ok. I am a clumsy noob but I find shaving with open combs very easy. Also they give me great results, the old ones that is. Have tried some others, and sofar they have been too mild.

 

[Maul555]

My open comb shaves differently than my SS for sure. I am currently using a feather blade in my old type with a shim. I don't know if it is just my skin type or what, but my open comb seems to drag across my face regardless of angle, cream, or blade, whereas my SS just glides like its on ice regardless of angle or blade. Others have said I must be doing something wrong because they notice absolutely no difference in glide between their old types and other razor styles. Damned if I can't figure out what that "wrong" thing might be.

 

[TonyH]

my open comb shaves differently than my ss for sure. I am currently using a feather blade in my old type with a shim. I don't know if it is just my skin type or what, but my open comb seems to drag across my face regardless of angle, cream, or blade, whereas my ss just glides like its on ice regardless of angle or blade. Others have said i must be doing something wrong because they notice absolutely no difference in glide between their old types and other razor styles. Damned if i can't figure out what that "wrong" thing might be.

exactly.

 

[Maul555]

This thread got me thinking... The Open comb old type was the first DE I ever used, and I didnt have that problem when I first used it. So I went back to my first days shaving cream. I dug out my long forgotten decade old can of Gillette Gel in a can. I loaded up the old type with a new feather and went at it. I am ashamed of what I am about to type... PLEASE FORGIVE ME!!!! I got the best shave I have had this whole week of using my old type. I was able to complete a 3 pass shave in less than 5 minutes with not a single nick. Now does this mean that I will be using the gillette goop in a can again? Not if i can help it. I love my Proraso and Speick too much. Luckily both Proraso and Speick offer goop in a can. I am going to pick one of those up and see what happens.

 

[faster_than_u]

This thread got me thinking... The Open comb old type was the first DE I ever used, and I didnt have that problem when I first used it. So I went back to my first days shaving cream. I dug out my long forgotten decade old can of Gillette Gel in a can. I loaded up the old type with a new feather and went at it. I am ashamed of what I am about to type... PLEASE FORGIVE ME!!!! I got the best shave I have had this whole week of using my old type. I was able to complete a 3 pass shave in less than 5 minutes with not a single nick. Now does this mean that I will be using the gillette goop in a can again? Not if i can help it. I love my Proraso and Speick too much. Luckily both Proraso and Speick offer goop in a can. I am going to pick one of those up and see what happens.

Used my old type after reading this earlier today. Vintage old spice soap and old type with astra. Did what I normally do(3 pass) got an amazing shave out of it. Never had a problem with the old type but have with super speeds mostly flair tips.