I started out on my DE shaving journey thinking that I would only like TTO razors because I liked the butterfly door design and I did not like the idea of unscrewing the head and screwing it back on. I stared out with a flare tip loving every shave. Then I acquired a Red tip which I loved even more. I was alternating between those two when I acquired a Schick Krona which I did not like all that much. I kept reading about open comb/3 piece razors. What I read made me want to try one so I acquired a 1904 Merkur Classic open comb. Since I acquired the Merkur, I have found it harder and harder to convince myself to shave with my TTOs. I have since then acquired a Black tip and a 1941 Ranger. I tried the ranger today and I wished the whole time that i was shaving with the Merkur instead. Has anyone else experienced this?
I think I may be moving away from TTO style razors.
- Thread starter Ender78
- Start date
It sounds like you are looking at OC versus bar razors and favoring OC razors. If you like the TTO design, you might want to try a 1930s Aristocrat, Senator or Sheraton. All three are TTO OC designs. The Senator and Sheraton were the mass market approach to the more elite Aristocrat. All give great shaves, with the Aristocrat being a bit smoother.
I have all three of the Aristocrat/Senator/Sheraton clan as well as an Old Type, NEW. While I like them all, the TTOs are my favorites an the Aristocrat the smoothest of those three.
I have all three of the Aristocrat/Senator/Sheraton clan as well as an Old Type, NEW. While I like them all, the TTOs are my favorites an the Aristocrat the smoothest of those three.
- Thread starter
- #3
That may be part of it. I think the weight distribution on the Merkur also feels better to me. I might acquire one of the razors you mention as well as a Gillette new oc provided I can find a silver toned one. I never liked gold or gold toned things.
I prefer the modern 3-pieces (for the most part) because of the blade angle and the overall weight. The steep angle needed for a slim or super adjustable just wasn't comfortable for me compared to a 23C or Progress.
Of the TTO OC razors I mentioned, the Senator is the only one in silver (actually nickel). But, the Brits put out several TTO OC models in rhodium that were basically the same razors, however, while I hear great things about the Brit TTO OCs, I have not shaved with any of the Brit razors, so I cannot opine on their shaves.
- Thread starter
- #7
70.00 is a lot of bank to drop for a razor for me at this time... but I will add it to the list of razors I might want to buy.
Sort of... I also started with a TTO (a cheepie) thinking it was more convenient. Moved to a Slim, then various models old and new of three piece razors. Fell in love with the comfort and balance of the 3-piece and did away with most of the razors I did not used. I currently own just three razors, one being the Slim. Just had it replated and have used it twice since it arrived. I keep trying to fall in love with it and all the time I am using it I am thinking of putting it away and use the Jagger or the Bakelite...A BEAKELITE!!!! YMMV, and it may very well be the OC design, or like me, the balance and feel of the 3-piece. Just go with what works best.
Pretty much my story. At one point I had a Fatboy, 40's Superspeed, Red Tip, Ranger Tech. After getting the hang of my Grandpa's Old Type I was drawn to the three piece design, open combs in particular. I think the three piece design works much better. I've sold off most of my TTOs. Kinda regret selling my Fatboy, but it wasn't getting much use.
I would like to try a butterfly open comb like the Sheraton/Senator.
Last edited:
While I won't rid myself of my Slim, Fatboy, or 40's Superspeed, keepers all; my Merkurs are better shavers. For that matter none of the TTO's compare to the shave I get with my HD Slant.
I tend to favor my OC's over my TTO's as well. My absolute favorite OC at the moment just happens to be a TTO Sheraton. It is a wonderful razor for my face.
- Thread starter
- #12
I would try that Sheraton if it didn't only have a gold plated edition...
The Senator was the same razor plated in Nickel and made 1 year later.
Hi,
I started with an Early Tech, handed to me by my Dad. That's a 3 pc saftey bar razor. He also gave me a 40s style Super Speed, which shaves pretty much the same as the Early Tech, but is 1 pc TTO. I preferred the Tech as the 3 pc design makes for a much easier time shaving under my nose. The overall thickness of the head is thinner on the 3 pc, and that is the reason why.
Now, I wound up with Granddad's Old Type Open Comb. That is a razor I can only use if I have skipped at least a day. It likes to have more beard growth present than the Tech does, or I get weepers and irritation. But, when I do so without shaving the Old Type really mows the whiskers down.
I also wound up with a Red Tip SS from an Uncle, and I liked the more aggressive cutting than the 40's SS or the Tech, but still had an issue with the head thickness under my nose. My solution was to use the Tech under my nose on the second pass and it would 'get in closer' under my nose and pick up what the Red Tip missed. So, after getting the Red Tip, I 'graduated' to a two-pass shave.
Much more recently, I picked up a British New Long Comb OC, and that shaves better than the Red Tip, while not being as aggressive as the Old Type. So, I can use that every day, and it also works well if I skip a day or two. I still use the Tech for a second pass, though. Over the years that has become a habit to not worry about any small patches left behind on the first pass and just clean them up using the Tech.
These days, I am using a couple different German Slant razors and like those quite a bit better, but talking any more about those would be getting away from the topic at hand.
So, anyway, yes, I have experienced the same as the OP and find I like the 3 pc razors better than the TTO ones.
Stan
I started with an Early Tech, handed to me by my Dad. That's a 3 pc saftey bar razor. He also gave me a 40s style Super Speed, which shaves pretty much the same as the Early Tech, but is 1 pc TTO. I preferred the Tech as the 3 pc design makes for a much easier time shaving under my nose. The overall thickness of the head is thinner on the 3 pc, and that is the reason why.
Now, I wound up with Granddad's Old Type Open Comb. That is a razor I can only use if I have skipped at least a day. It likes to have more beard growth present than the Tech does, or I get weepers and irritation. But, when I do so without shaving the Old Type really mows the whiskers down.
I also wound up with a Red Tip SS from an Uncle, and I liked the more aggressive cutting than the 40's SS or the Tech, but still had an issue with the head thickness under my nose. My solution was to use the Tech under my nose on the second pass and it would 'get in closer' under my nose and pick up what the Red Tip missed. So, after getting the Red Tip, I 'graduated' to a two-pass shave.
Much more recently, I picked up a British New Long Comb OC, and that shaves better than the Red Tip, while not being as aggressive as the Old Type. So, I can use that every day, and it also works well if I skip a day or two. I still use the Tech for a second pass, though. Over the years that has become a habit to not worry about any small patches left behind on the first pass and just clean them up using the Tech.
These days, I am using a couple different German Slant razors and like those quite a bit better, but talking any more about those would be getting away from the topic at hand.
So, anyway, yes, I have experienced the same as the OP and find I like the 3 pc razors better than the TTO ones.
Stan
Two very different shaves. The Sheraton is the milder if the two. The Senator has a note to it and IMHO is the more aggressive of any ss type razor.
I disagree. I have both and find the shave to be quite similar.
I am going to agree with RX, the Senator is a tad more aggressive than the Sheraton. Though I find both to be very effective for me. The '34 and '36 Aristocrats are great too. They are heavier so they have a different feel. I prefer the Sheraton by the very slightest of margins. If one prefers the silver color, keep your eyes peeled for a Senator. If you don't like it, you should be able to recoup your money.
I agree that Aristocrat is an entirely different feel. I also agree that you should not lose money on any of these razors. If you are willing to buy a raw razor (eBay seller selling dirty estate sale razors) and do the clean up, you could likely make money if you decide to sell it.
While I think the Senator and Sheraton are similar, they are not identical. I, by a slight margin, between the Senator and Sheraton prefer the Senator. The Aristocrat would win between the three and it is an entirely different feel to me than the other two.
True; but I happen to prefer a steeper angle over flatter.
Most Techs are pretty flat if you look at the profile side-on.
Most modern 3-piece razors also have a pretty flat blade profile. The only one with a steeper angle is the Merkur 45, which is plastic (or bakelite depending on who you believe). I have ground bevels onto the blade plate "rails" on a couple 3-piece razors to increase the blade angle, just experimenting, but it worked out much much better than I would have expected.
Similar threads
