I have recently become interested in getting an open comb. Instead of buying new I've decided to go vintage. I was wondering about the shave quality and characteristics of the Old Type. I have read up in the review section and tried to search in safety razors but most of my results were about restoration and the reviews left me with more questions. I saw in the reviews some discussion on shims, is that necessary for use with modern blades? In what way does that affect the shave? How would they compare to other open combs? Any advise from those who use these razors will be greatly appreciated.
old type info
- Thread starter jwhite
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I have used many Old Types and have never found a shim necessary. All modern blades work fine. There are two basic Old Types, the Standard and the Pocket Editions. The Standard has a long post on the cap which screws into the inner barrel. The Pocket Editions have a cap and guard which screw into a handle. See the link in my signature for more info on Gillette three piece razors.
I find the Old Types to be fairly mild. The blade rests on the guard and the exposure is minimal. The Standards can be adjusted to increase aggressiveness by loosening the knob slightly.
Note the other Gillette open combs as further options, although the attraction of Old Types include the fact that they are around 100 years old.
I find the Old Types to be fairly mild. The blade rests on the guard and the exposure is minimal. The Standards can be adjusted to increase aggressiveness by loosening the knob slightly.
Note the other Gillette open combs as further options, although the attraction of Old Types include the fact that they are around 100 years old.
- Thread starter
- #3
Thanks Guido I have seen your identification thread and what I'm looking at are pocket editions. I probably should have been more specific. Good to know they work well with modern blades.
Do not rule out the New Improved. They are great performers.
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- #5
I rule out nothing!!
I've just been seeing a lot of old types at pretty low prices and was gonna give 'em a try.
I've just been seeing a lot of old types at pretty low prices and was gonna give 'em a try.I rule out nothing!!
OK. Give the Old Type a try. They are all great razors. But don't think they are a mild razor. An old time DE shaver like Mr Guido, who shaves with them all the time, will probably think anything is mild. It takes proper technique. And go easy to start. It's a funny thing. The razors I originally thought were aggressive have, like magic, become mild shavers too. The first shave I had with and Old Type pocket gave me terrible razor burn. It was certainly smooth enough but it's not the same as using a '40's Super Speed. Just go easy to start and you'll end up with some of the best shaves of your life.
Len
- Thread starter
- #7
Thanks for the advice Len. Ill take it easy my first go, and if it proves too aggressive for my skill level then it'll take pride of place as a display piece until my ability improves.
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I have several Old Types and use them all. Compared to '40s and '50's superspeeds, they are not mild shavers, IMO. But they shave very well with a blade as smooth as it is sharp. For me that's a Gillette Swede, or a Red Israeli Personna.
Good luck.
jim
Good luck.
jim
I bought my first Old Type last week and it is a good shaver and not as mild as my everyday 40's Super Speed.
I saw absolutely no reason at all to use a shim in mine and it shaved great.
Just threw a Russian Green in it and went to work.
Wp
I saw absolutely no reason at all to use a shim in mine and it shaved great.
Just threw a Russian Green in it and went to work.
Wp
Well done. They are great razors
When I first got my 50s Aristocrat I thought it was too aggressive for me and I put it on the shelf.
Year or so later I gave it another go and now it one of my favorite razor.
Technique and proper blade matching is necessary to get the best out of many vintage non adjustable razors.
Year or so later I gave it another go and now it one of my favorite razor.
Technique and proper blade matching is necessary to get the best out of many vintage non adjustable razors.
Len is so right. I focus primarily on "modern" Gillettes so when I do dust off my Olds, I have to proceed carefully since the setup is so different. During the periods I do stick with Old Types, the shaves smooth out quickly. Mild? Not really IMHO, but fantastic shaves with good technique. Good luck!
I just got one at a local antique store for all of $1.00 because it had a cracked handle (then I found out that most have a cracked handle). A dab of gorilla glue and it is back in business.
I am using an Astra blade and I do not find it mild combination, but I really do like the shave. You have to be very conscious of what you are doing. This is not one for auto-pilot shaving.
The SS is definitely easier, but I think I am getting a better shave out of the Old style.
I will be curious to compare it to a NEW (but have not found one yet).
There are a lot of the old style around and they are well worth the reasonable prices they command.
I am using an Astra blade and I do not find it mild combination, but I really do like the shave. You have to be very conscious of what you are doing. This is not one for auto-pilot shaving.
The SS is definitely easier, but I think I am getting a better shave out of the Old style.
I will be curious to compare it to a NEW (but have not found one yet).
There are a lot of the old style around and they are well worth the reasonable prices they command.
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