Open Comb. Where to start?

[maxman]

Ok, So I've been shaving with a DE for a few years now and I have a pretty good collection. I was thinking of trying an open comb razor. Try something new ya know....so I pick up a Gillette Pocket Edition from the 'bay.
It needs a little work, kinda grimy and tarnished, but what the hey the price was right.

my real question is: is the Pocket Edition a good place to start? Should I have looked at a different razor? Will I shred my face to bits?

It hasn't arrived yet, but when it does I'm pressing forward unless y'all convince me not to.

 

[wimbouman]

The Pocket edition is a very small razor, isn't it?

Maybe a nice alternative is Gillette New OC or a Muhle R41.
These are regular sizes.

 

[c0ry]

I see no reason to believe that this razor would tear you up. It's got the head of a regular Old Type--the first open comb I used as well.

 

[Oldguy]

The Old Type pocket razor is a great shaver. Until you get used to it use very light short strokes. The New open comb razor is not quite as aggressive and very smooth.

Len

 

[dreadpirate]

Merkur 11C is a great open-comb. The Merkur 1904 has the same head; but is lighter and has a nickel finish as opposed chrome.

As mentioned above, the Gillette New (short comb) is a mild open comb DE. The long combs however, are more aggressive.

Below; the DE on the left is a short-comb Gillette new. The one on the right a long comb.

 

[Luc]

+1 on Merkur 11c, Gillette NEW or Gillette Old type!

 

[ssultan]

The gillette long comb NEW head is a fantastic shaver. It was my introduction to DE's and I still use it regularly in my rotation...

 

[drandall]

if you're just starting out with open combs, i'd start out with something on the mild size and wait to use older gillettes like the single and double ring until you have some comfort with them

the common-bar handle NEW is a fantastic razor. not super aggressive but not overly mild. an excellent shaver

if you want something super mild, the australian goodfella is very very mild despite looking otherwise

you might also try an open comb merkur

 

[Uncle Erik]

Another vote for the Muhle R41 - I've had good experiences with it. I also love my single ring and the Goodfella is a nice shaver, too.

 

[PhatMan]

MaxMan,

The English Gillette 88, and the Muhle 41 are my favourite open comb DEs.

Both give a lovely shave; if pushed, I would express a slight preference for the Gillette

I don't think you could make a wrong choice with any of the Gillette (Old and New patterns) or the Merkur (Muhle) open combs.

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

 

[Lando]

Why are the long combs more aggressive? Seems the shorter combs should be more aggressive?

 

[Chester]

My vote would be for an old-type head -- like a single ring. Some would say that it's not good to learn on because it may not be terribly forgiving of errors in technique. I'm inclined to disagree, though. It's precisely because it forces good technique that it is beneficial. The habits you build with an old-type follow directly to any other kind of DE razor. There might be pain and a couple nicks to start off, but as soon as you have it dialed in, you'll feel comfortable using any other DE.
Hope it helps,
-- Chet

 

[Pilky]

Why are the long combs more aggressive? Seems the shorter combs should be more aggressive?

Was wondering the same thing.

 

[beginish]

They're harder to find, but if you can lay your hands on a NEW Deluxe, you will get one of the smoothest shaves going, open comb or safety bar.

 

[mblakele]

They're harder to find, but if you can lay your hands on a NEW Deluxe, you will get one of the smoothest shaves going, open comb or safety bar.

Aren't there two of these on the B/S/T today? Not easy on the wallet, but...

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=151278

 

[beginish]

Aren't there two of these on the B/S/T today? Not easy on the wallet, but...

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=151278

I think those are NEW Improveds, but I'm hard pressed to compare how they shave relative to the NEW Deluxe.

 

[DarkDragon786]

Why are the long combs more aggressive? Seems the shorter combs should be more aggressive?

Was wondering the same thing.

Ditto.

 

[antoine1]

Why are the long combs more aggressive? Seems the shorter combs should be more aggressive?

To me there is little difference in aggression between short and long comb NEW's
but they feel different on the skin, the long comb being more comfortable IMO.

Usual principles for aggression apply, blade gap, exposure, profile etc

 

[honed]

To me there is little difference in aggression between short and long comb NEW's
but they feel different on the skin, the long comb being more comfortable IMO.

Usual principles for aggression apply, blade gap, exposure, profile etc

+1 except that for me it's the other way around, the short is my favorite on the skin.
But the shave is just the same IMO . Just a slight difference in feeling.

 

[soapbox]

+1 on Merkur 11c, Gillette NEW or Gillette Old type!

I really like the way the bar-handle NEW shaves; milder than my Mühle R89 (pre-2009). It's one of two Gillettes in my rotation; the other is a 1914 single-ring open comb (similar to the one here).