Open Comb: My Second Attempt

[Mendel]

Greetings from Mendel,

A year ago I tried an Open Comb Razor (Goodfella) and didn't like it so I sold it on the BST. It's now a year later and I really want to become a member in good standing of the BOTOC. To that end, I just received my Cadet Open Comb and a tube of Herbs of Bulgaria Lavender Shaving Cream from Shave-a-Buck:



Please share your thoughts, wisdom, or feedback in my quest for membership in the BOTOC.

 

[wagstaff]

I don't know if this is wisdom or just ymmv issues... but blade choice seems to matter a lot more in the OCs I have. In the FaTip and the LC NEW particularly.

 

[jamesspo]

That's a fairly aggressive one to start with (compared to a NEW, or similar). However, I'd be willing to bet that your technique has moved along enough that this will work great for you. Like I always recommend with more aggressive razors, start with shallow blade angle - cap squarely on your face to start , then increase angle until you get blade engagement. I look forward to hearing how it goes for you!

 

[GDCarrington]

Mendel,

I really enjoy my Cadet OC. One thing about an OC is you should, as Wagstaff stated, look for a good blade combination.

My bench test blade for all razor that I have not used in the past happens to be a Big Ben.
Not because it is an extremely sharp blade, but is an extremely smooth blade on a consistent basis.
I use them a lot on more aggressive razors because the aggressive razor does the work and the smooth blade keeps it all in check.

You might want to try that blade first and then move to other blades that can amplify the OC aggressiveness as you get use to the OC.

 

[Member357]

I have the Italian Barber version of the same razor and love it, but it's a little more difficult to get to grips with than say, my 37C slant. As advised above, be careful with blade angle at first and you'll be fine. Oh, and my blades for this are Feathers or Astras.

 

[Samjax]

The Cadet OC is going to be a lot different than the Goodfella. The Cadet is considerably more aggressive...in a good way. The Goodfella at best is like a watered down Gillette Tech without the blade.

 

[Mick]

Please share your thoughts, wisdom, or feedback in my quest for membership in the BOTOC.

Search out a Muhle R41 2009/10 model. That older R41 is one of the smoothest, best finished, exceptional OC razors you will ever use and one razor that will overshadow all of your others.

 

[Batman]

I found the Merkur 1904 Classic Open Comb to be mild and good when I was a newbie. I have since moved to the New Long Comb...sweet.

 

[Mendel]

Open Comb Update:

All went well this morning - no nicks, weepers, or cuts. Believe it or not, I only needed a one pass shave and a little bit of buffing on my chin. An aggressive razor but very smooth. For me, my open comb razor would be ideal if I had three days of beard growth.

 

[moe72]

Nice! Love the Big Ben razor blade! Very consistent and smooth blade. Reminiscent of a Personna Red to me.