Open-comb Versus Slant Razors

[villagejazz]

Good day gents,

I am using a Merkur 34C, and Gillette Silver Blues and GFT and CF creams with 4-passes (wtg, xtg, atg, and touch-up). I believe I need a more aggressive razor--sharper blades don't give me BBS on my cheeks (i have some indented stubble that's been elusive regardless of buffing or blades.

I'd be curious about the communities thoughts on open-comb versus slant. Do they not serve a similar purpose?

Cheers

 

[TacticalPanda]

Are you stretching your cheeks? Stretching my cheeks is the only way I can get BBS on them. A 34C should be plenty aggressive for BBS as long as your technique is good. Open comb does not equal aggressive, and many open comb razors are quite mild. Slants are not necessarily as aggressive as they are "effective." Honestly, I would for the moment focus on stretching and flattening the skin before switching to a new razor that may or may not solve your problem. Good luck shaving!

 

[Luc]

Sometimes, it's better technique and not a better razor. After a few months, your shaves will improve and get closer using the same products, razor and blades. I found the open comb to be more comfortable than a slant but YMMV.

 

[Jasman]

Unless it's absolutely required for your work or relationship, the advice I usually see regarding "chasing the baby" is that it's a surefire way to irritation, with the BBS in no way as assured; even achieved, a BBS only lasts a portion of the day. Don't let "good enough" fall by the wayside in the relentless pursuit of unattainable perfection.

 

[coolbus18]

Patience and technique. Can't build a strong house without a good foundation. I use both oc's and slants and enjoy both types but it took time(not long) and bingo I was hooked. And here's some food for thought : http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/317346-B-O-S-S-Brotherhood-of-Slant-Shavers

 

[DrAwkward]

Sometimes, it's better technique and not a better razor. After a few months, your shaves will improve and get closer using the same products, razor and blades. I found the open comb to be more comfortable than a slant but YMMV.

You could wait a few months. Or you could have some fun experimenting now. The first option is undoubtedly the wiser option, but I chose the more reckless path of trying out different razors even though my technique probably needs some refinement.
I, too, find the OC to be more comfortable than a slant. In fact, almost all of the razors in my rotation are OC.
Enjoy the journey.

 

[Haggises]

Not sure how you compare an OC to a slant. Two different beasties.
Now take your OC and do a Gillette Slide....

 

[jpakstis]

The 34c is a fairly aggressive razor. Definitely more aggressive than Merkur's open comb offerings.

The slant is, in my opinion, a little more aggressive than the 34c but I wouldn't get it just to compare.

 

[coolbus18]

Not sure how you compare an OC to a slant. Two different beasties.
Now take your OC and do a Gillette Slide....

+1 Although with the slant I really like "J" hooking it more than a straight oc. But yeah, two different approaches . To cut or slice that is the question. Both I say!

 

[Harry Snider]

Great advice from everybody! I say try a shim in your current razor and see if the extra bump in aggression is what you're looking for. And it's free!

 

[Teppanyaki]

I played around with razors and found an open comb (2013 R41) and a Slant (Merkur 39c) to both give better shaves than my closed comb Muhle R89, a Merkur 1904 open comb (I hated that one), or a Feather Popular. You can either wait and let your technique mature, or play with different razors and see what you like (I also did the latter).

I don't shave for BBS and don't shave ATG. Heck, I don't even shave XTG most of the time. 2 passes, WTG and WTG/XTG (somewhere between the 2), and then some touchups. Nice darn fine shave, generally no irritation and feels good, and if I am going out that night I can always do a single pass touchup.

 

[NCJack]

I have no open comb experience, but my take is that the slant is more efficient, rather than more aggressive. I can even "dry buff" with my slant without irritation (very gently, of course, and small patch only)

 

[gus1942]

My rotation includes a Gillette New OC and 39c slant. Both are wonderfully smooth and not really very "aggressive"

 

[billgoat94]

I've had both. Initially I liked the open comb NEW better. I felt it was easier to learn and the slant initially irritated my neck and shaved no closer than my superspeed. A year later, somehow I've figured out the slant and I now prefer it over the open comb.

 

[Rschan]

Are we in a shaving competition.?

O.C's and slants are two kinds. So just relax and enjoy all the razors you can lay your hands on. Some are very mild and smooth while others will bite at the smallest mistake. Its all about variety
But that's why we are here aren't we?

 

[nemo]

...relax and enjoy all the razors you can lay your hands on. Its all about variety...but that's why we are here aren't we?

Amen, brother!