Open vs Closed Combs
- Thread starter Johnny_Z
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There are mild and aggressive razors in both open and closed comb. Open combs have a rep for being more aggressive but that's not always the case.
Most people suggest to start with a tech or a superspeed(both of which are closed comb) since they are abundant, cheap, and mild.
The only big difference is an open comb is better if you only shave every once in a while b/c it doesn't get clogged with hair as easy. If you are shaving every couple of days or less it really isn't going to make much difference.
Most people suggest to start with a tech or a superspeed(both of which are closed comb) since they are abundant, cheap, and mild.
The only big difference is an open comb is better if you only shave every once in a while b/c it doesn't get clogged with hair as easy. If you are shaving every couple of days or less it really isn't going to make much difference.
Johnny Z,
As kg4ghn as has said, there are both mild and agressive open combs.
The most aggressive safety razor I have is an 'E' model Schick, and it is a closed comb.
The Merkur open combed heads are failrly mild (the blade rest on the tines).
My English Gillette New open comb is on the other hand fairly agressive.
It really comes down to learning the traits of the individual razor.
I like shaving with both open and closed comb razors, though I must admit my favourite is the Gillette New
As the Mekurs are fairly well priced, get one and have a go !
Good luck !
Have fun !
Best regards
Russ
As kg4ghn as has said, there are both mild and agressive open combs.
The most aggressive safety razor I have is an 'E' model Schick, and it is a closed comb.
The Merkur open combed heads are failrly mild (the blade rest on the tines).
My English Gillette New open comb is on the other hand fairly agressive.
It really comes down to learning the traits of the individual razor.
I like shaving with both open and closed comb razors, though I must admit my favourite is the Gillette New
As the Mekurs are fairly well priced, get one and have a go !
Good luck !
Have fun !
Best regards
Russ
A Gillette NEW (open comb) used to be my daily shaver for a lot of months... I then switched to straights.
The information above is totally right and spot on.
You could start with an open comb as there used to be a time where open combs were on the market and closed comb appeared later....
My recommendation, Gillette Superspeed (closed comb) for the same reasons stated above.
The information above is totally right and spot on.
You could start with an open comb as there used to be a time where open combs were on the market and closed comb appeared later....
My recommendation, Gillette Superspeed (closed comb) for the same reasons stated above.
- Thread starter
- #5
Special features? none!
Closed comb or open comb, it's a different model, that's all.
The only "advantage" that I see using an open comb is if your angle is off, you will see "teeth" marks in the lather. Pretty much it. The blade will pick up the lather where a closed comb, the safety bar will pick-up the lather.
Open combs look pretty cool IMO!
Some people here have said that the open comb allows more lather to reach the blade, and thus increases blade lubricity. I can't say if this is completely accurate or not, but I do use both open comb and safety bar razors and find them both enjoyable.
I've got an American NEW open comb, and I hated it for a while. I was using Derby blades, then Red IPs, which worked well for me in closed comb razors, but not in this one! It put me off open combs altogether. But - I put a Shark Super Chrome into it and it's a completely different animal, it gives a really close shave. So blades are an important factor I think too.
I perfer closed comb I tryed open ones off and on for years and got ate up every time. Find yourself a shick Krona and you will be set. Then add a Fatboy Adjustable.
I have a Merkur 11c open comb razor it gives a comfortable shave. But it is a touch more aggressive than my Flare tip rocket.
both are easy to more around the face but I find the open comb of the 11c does a better job in the tricky areas under the nose and around the chin.
To be honest I like both and picking one over the other would be hard although I have 1 open comb razor and 3 flare tip rockets that might say something.
Have fun now
both are easy to more around the face but I find the open comb of the 11c does a better job in the tricky areas under the nose and around the chin.
To be honest I like both and picking one over the other would be hard although I have 1 open comb razor and 3 flare tip rockets that might say something.
Have fun now
Not all of my razors are open comb, but I do prefer it.
C
C
Believe me, I have used almost every kind of razor and my Gillette Ball Handled NEW is by far my best shaver. YMMV everyone's doesn't have the same tastes but you need to give the Open Comb New a shot.
I have many of both types and enjoy them both now. Having said that, my experience in the beginning with the open comb razors was not good. They left me with bad razor burn and knicks. I then used a '60's superspeed and was much more successful. After I got the hang of using a closed de razor I went back to the open comb and did better. Now after finding which blade works best with which razor, open or closed doesn't matter. But in my experience, the closed comb is a more forgiving razor.
I think the open-comb razors work best when your whiskers are longer. If you haven't shaved for a few days or more, an open-comb would work best. Open-combs are good for trimming sideburns, too. My whiskers on my neck lie close to the skin and an open-comb works well on these.
I prefer an open comb most days.
My understanding is that the manufacturers moved to the closed comb because it is easier (cheaper) to produce.
A closed comb razor is also less susceptible to damage if dropped.
My understanding is that the manufacturers moved to the closed comb because it is easier (cheaper) to produce.
A closed comb razor is also less susceptible to damage if dropped.
And there it is
the only reason we have safety bar razors at all today
When the razor was first made by Gillette it was a comb razor and for good reason - it worked well, then the bean counters got involved and we have safety bar razors
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On a daily shaving ritual; not much.
But when you shave only once and awhile or want to take your beard off it has two main advantages; it 'combes' your hair in the right direction (a great help with curly beards or whiskers growing in all directions) and your razor won't get clogged up. Especially the Gillette old type and the current Merkurs and Mühle open combs cannot clog since the blade lies almost directly against the comb.
Excellent analysis. I agree with all of your points.
I will add that a Gillette New short comb is mild and also a good starter DE.
I will add that a Gillette New short comb is mild and also a good starter DE.
I agree with everything that has been said.
I find that I cannot get away with technique issues when using an open comb. I recently pulled out my open comb and have been having a few problems, all showing that my technique (which I thought was quite good) has issues. It is great when I haven't shaved for a few days.
- Aaron
I find that I cannot get away with technique issues when using an open comb. I recently pulled out my open comb and have been having a few problems, all showing that my technique (which I thought was quite good) has issues. It is great when I haven't shaved for a few days.
- Aaron
Could not agree more. I do prefer aggressive razors which are generally open combs, but as others have mentioned, they don't have to be.
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