Question about open comb razors.

[kevtex]

How many of you prefer an open comb razor to a closed comb? I placed an order for a iKon closed comb razor because that's what I'm use to using. He offers a open comb head that can be purchased by itself and it will fit the handle that comes with the closed comb I ordered. Would I notice a big difference in the shave with a open comb head?

 

[beginish]

How many of you prefer an open comb razor to a closed comb? I placed an order for a Ikon closed comb razor because that's what I'm use to using. He offers a open comb head that can be purchased by itself and it will fit the handle that comes with the closed comb I ordered. Would I notice a big difference in the shave with a open comb head?

Yes. For me, they shave differently, and you have to adjust your angle a bit. They are more aggressive, but can reward you with an unforgettable shave. The one I have is too aggressive for me to use every day, so I use it every Monday on two days growth with absolutely spectacular results. They are well worth a try.

 

[leeparmet]

Open combs run the gamut as far as being agressive anywhere from a Goodfella to an iKon Classic Spindle. The main reason they stopped making them seems to be cost. Solid bar razors were cheaper to produce then open combs, so it not as if close combs were an advancement. The only close comb I still use is the Barber Pole Slant otherwise it's my iKon. I also have ordered iKon's new open comb, my understanding is that it should be medium agressive.

~Lee

 

[Luc]

The open comb design is not more or less aggressive than a close bar. It's a different model only. Do not see it as open = aggressive. There are very aggressive open combs and very mild open combs...

It's something to try. The Open Comb Gillette NEW was my favorite razor when I was using a DE.

 

[kevtex]

The open comb design is not more or less aggressive than a close bar. It's a different model only. Do not see it as open = aggressive. There are very aggressive open combs and very mild open combs...

It's something to try. The Open Comb Gillette NEW was my favorite razor when I was using a DE.

I seem to remember using an open comb Merkur a few years back but its been to long to remember how the shave went. It must not have been to my liking because I sold it. I always assumed open comb = aggressive so thanks for info.

 

[Luc]

I seem to remember using an open comb Merkur a few years back but its been to long to remember how the shave went. It must not have been to my liking because I sold it. I always assumed open comb = aggressive so thanks for info.

They are not all in there but here's the chart: http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/index.php/Double-Edged_Safety_Razors_Ranked_by_Aggressiveness

I didn't try one myself but I heard the Goodfella is very mild!

 

[Darjeeling Express]

The open comb design is not more or less aggressive than a close bar. It's a different model only. Do not see it as open = aggressive. There are very aggressive open combs and very mild open combs...

It's something to try. The Open Comb Gillette NEW was my favorite razor when I was using a DE.

Ditto and Bravo.

 

[drandall]

as others have said, having an open comb doesn't make a razor aggressive. the australian goodfella is open comb and is mild as buttercups. my favorite open comb, the common bar handle NEW isn't much more aggressive than your average tech.

it all depends on the razor.

 

[sandmountainslim]

I prefer the look of Open Comb razors.

The only two razors I have used for an extended period of time are a 40's Gillette Super Speed and and Gillette Old Type.
The Old Type seems more aggressive to me and it is my daily razor nowadays.
Seems to give me a DFS with less strokes than the SS.
Wp

 

[Luc]

as others have said, having an open comb doesn't make a razor aggressive. the australian goodfella is open comb and is mild as buttercups. my favorite open comb, the common bar handle NEW isn't much more aggressive than your average tech.

it all depends on the razor.

The Goodfella is actually from New Zealand.

 

[kjparker]

The Goodfella is actually from New Zealand.

You mean Australia's East Island?

 

[Luc]

You mean Australia's East Island?

Yeah, not the one down South called Tas-MAN-ia!

 

[Bill Smith]

I recently picked up a Merkur 15c and I am getting used to shaving with it. Now I have found it to be a very differnent shave compared to the Gillette Slim Adjustable I have used for the past two years. Not better or worse, just different, I like using it a lot.

What I do like about my 15c is the fact it's made of steel and it's only three parts while the Slim Adjustable is made of brass and is more complex.

 

[Deltaboy]

How many of you prefer an open comb razor to a closed comb? I placed an order for a .... closed comb razor because that's what I'm use to using. He offers a open comb head that can be purchased by itself and it will fit the handle that comes with the closed comb I ordered. Would I notice a big difference in the shave with a open comb head?

Try it and see if it works for you. I had no luck with open comb at all , Red face for a hour, weepers and bleeders a plenty. Closed Combs I get BBS and a no leaks.

Still give it a try Razor, soaps , creams and Blades are to each man like a woman. Some will love and like you others will eat you up and spit you out.

 

[Doug_in_NNY]

Yesterday, for the first time I, shaved with a re-plated NEW with a Bull Mastiff handle from cooncatbob. In recent months I've been using adjustable Gillette razors (FatBoys, Slims). Yesterday I used a new Astra SS blade (I've been using the other Astra blades, green pack, for a while now -- thought I'd try the SS this time out), and Geo. F. Trumper's Limes cream.

This was the slickest, calmest, smoothest shaving experience I've had since returning to DE shaving six months ago. I don't think it was just the open comb NEW head, or the Astra SS, or the Limes. It was the combination. I have no doubt that there are other good blades out there, and other good creams. But this combination was remarkable.

If anyone reading this hasn't already done so, try a NEW open comb with your favorite blade and cream/soap.

And, oh, cooncatbob's service and the quality of his work is outstanding.

Doug

 

[ssultan]

I was worried about open combs...got my first Gillette NEW OC and never looked back...since then have tried a bunch of vintage OC razors and love them. The british gillettes are well balanced OC razors...give them a try as well. I have yet to try the GoodFella...

 

[fixcinater]

I have an Old Type that is more aggressive than my Slim by about 3-4 notches (it'd be a 12-13 if the Slim went that high), but it's much lighter near the head, so it's easy to take it easy and let the blade do the work rather than the weight of the razor.

If that makes sense.

That's my only experience, but I like it!

 

[notthesharpest]

I recently picked up a Merkur 15c and I am getting used to shaving with it. Now I have found it to be a very differnent shave compared to the Gillette Slim Adjustable I have used for the past two years. Not better or worse, just different, I like using it a lot.

What I do like about my 15c is the fact it's made of steel and it's only three parts while the Slim Adjustable is made of brass and is more complex.

I think the Merkur 15C is brass also, plated with chrome. I can't prove it because I don't have one.

 

[kg4ghn]

My favorite DE is a New Improved open comb.

 

[MoabBoy]

Loving the Muhle R41 at the moment