Slants and Open Combs - for Heavy Beards Only?

[dreadpirate]

I am sick and tired of vendors positioning their slant and open comb razors for heavy beards. Bull s**t. These razors provide close and comfortable shaves for anyone who knows how to use them. I have a light beard and absolutely love these "aggressive" razors.

Open combs and slants are for EVERYBODY!

Pictured below l to r; vintage Gillette New long comb, Gillette New head with custom Cooncatbob handle, Merkur slant gold 37G

 

[cooncatbob]

I use a NEW to shave both my face and head and get great results.
I don't use my Slant very much because as I like to rotate razors I found that I had to relearn the Slant every time it's turn came around.
To say an opened comb is designed for heavy beards is ridiculous, since Gillette only produced open comb razors until the mid to late 30s. (not sure on exact date)

 

[red71veloce]

I use a NEW to shave both my face and head and get great results.
I don't use my Slant very much because as I like to rotate razors I found that I had to relearn the Slant every time it's turn came around.
To say an opened comb is designed for heavy beards is ridiculous, since Gillette only produced open comb razors until the mid to late 30s. (not sure on exact date)

I'm with you Bob....and your Bull Mastiff!! Been using it with a New Style head for face and head shaving every day. Shaving nirvana baby!

Tracy

 

[dreadpirate]

Here are some quotes

Merkur Slant:
"This model has a reputation as a very aggressive shaver and is highly recommended for those with a particularly thick or coarse beard. "

"Particularly recommended for those with thick or coarse beards. "

Merkur Open Comb:
" It is an especially good choice for tough, heavy beards. "

" For Extremely Close Shave or Heavier Beards."

I remember reading these when I was a newbie to DE shaving and these remarks turned me away from these razors until recently.

 

[dpmtherrien]

Indeed they are for everyone. I find the open comb has a thinner head compared to the safety bar. I like the thinner head especially for getting in under the nose.

 

[Luc]

Agreed with Bob!

Anyone can use them. If they only produced one model at one stage, it must be good!

 

[cooncatbob]

Here are some quotes

Merkur Slant:
"This model has a reputation as a very aggressive shaver and is highly recommended for those with a particularly thick or coarse beard. "

"Particularly recommended for those with thick or coarse beards. "

Merkur Open Comb:
" It is an especially good choice for tough, heavy beards. "

" For Extremely Close Shave or Heavier Beards."

I remember reading these when I was a newbie to DE shaving and these remarks turned me away from these razors until recently.

Who's quotes are those, Merkur's or the Vendor?
It's amazing how much misinformation get repeated over and over until it becomes Gospel.

 

[ek.310]

unless you're gonna play follow the "leader" or on the flip side..you know yer marketing well! to know whats BS, whats the truth..although I DO believe some truth is relative to the person's skin "type"..more aggressive heads n blades might not be for me as I have sensitive skin, though the coarseness may benefit!

ek.310

 

[Mink]

I agree that the open comb razors are great with any shaving condition. The Slant - I don't know, it must be me, but it's odd to shave with such an aggressive angle on just one end of the razor head. I'm sure the slant has its place, but my recommendation to newbies is to use an open comb razor without worry about comparison to closed combs. But the slant - get your confidence up first before using something that requires a more experienced touch.

 

[dreadpirate]

I agree that the open comb razors are great with any shaving condition. The Slant - I don't know, it must be me, but it's odd to shave with such an aggressive angle on just one end of the razor head. I'm sure the slant has its place, but my recommendation to newbies is to use an open comb razor without worry about comparison to closed combs. But the slant - get your confidence up first before using something that requires a more experienced touch.

For newbies agreed- but a slant is ok for experienced users with a light beard (like me).

 

[dreadpirate]

Who's quotes are those, Merkur's or the Vendor?
It's amazing how much misinformation get repeated over and over until it becomes Gospel.

From various vendors.

 

[DunEdinRanger]

Happy New Year!

The way I read that is telling folks like me, don't think of trying another razor - if you want the best results, go for these.

It never says "NOT recommended" for other beard types, does it?

Just my two cents.

Here are some quotes

Merkur Slant:
"This model has a reputation as a very aggressive shaver and is highly recommended for those with a particularly thick or coarse beard. "

"Particularly recommended for those with thick or coarse beards. "

Merkur Open Comb:
" It is an especially good choice for tough, heavy beards. "

" For Extremely Close Shave or Heavier Beards."

I remember reading these when I was a newbie to DE shaving and these remarks turned me away from these razors until recently.

 

[dreadpirate]

Hmm - I see your point. I am just bummed that it took me until recently to get a slant and then I realized - "Wow, why didn't I try one of these sooner?"

I just always got the impression that a slant would chop up your face unless you have a heavy beard. And that's not been my experience. The vendor descriptions don't help.

I do think a slant will give you a nice burn if you bear down on it too much - it takes the right touch. So yeah - probably not the ideal choice for a newbie. But not unreasonable goal for a newbie, regardless of beard type. I don't think the vendor descriptions give the slant the credit it deserves.

Happy New Year!

The way I read that is telling folks like me, don't think of trying another razor - if you want the best results, go for these.

It never says "NOT recommended" for other beard types, does it?

Just my two cents.

 

[rainman]

I consider the slant mild. I'll have to try a feather blade to see if there is a difference.

 

[L. Martino]

I am sick and tired of vendors positioning their slant and open comb razors for heavy beards. Bull s**t. These razors provide close and comfortable shaves for anyone who knows how to use them. I have a light beard and absolutely love these "aggressive" razors.

Open combs and slants are for EVERYBODY!

Hi there,

Maybe I can offer another perspective on the open comb types I've used. A while ago I went through 4-5 different ones, trying to find a model that gave me as comfortable of a shave as the one I get from my go to razor. Since then I've tried maybe 4-5 others. Every one one of em was too aggressive for a comfortable shave , ranging from feeling like a fatboy set on #5, all the way up to the ones that felt like they were on 11 or a little higher......

I know how to shave my face with a DE by now, and I know what I can expect for results if all the tools are correct. I've used at least 30 different razor models over the years, and I know what fits my face. My go to razor is a fatboy set on #3, which was found after much trial and error. Yeah, I like a milder razor paired with very sharp blades.

I found all the open combs had two things in common:

First thing is they all shave closer than a razor without a comb(the good part), and the second thing is the fact I'm aware of the blade on my face waaaay too much. I don't care to feel the blade at all when I shave, which isn't possible for me with an open comb type. What I gain in closeness doesn't make up for the amount of discomfort during the shave.

My technique is such that by now I can use any razor without cuts or razor burn, but it doesn't mean I'll enjoy myself in the process. I do occasionally use a couple of the milder OC types, but only as a change of pace( mainly cause they look so purty). If I had to use one daily, I'd switch back to the injector I was using years ago.

I'm thinking that in some way my skin may be more sensitive than some other members. Maybe it's 'thinner' or something, and can't tolerate the way certain razors present the blade to my face. Maybe it's a mechanical thing that's built into the OC design in general. For some reason. I don't believe the results have all that much to do with how thick my beard growth would be. I think it's more of how close the blade rests on my face.

In any case, here's another side of the many sided coin to consider,

Martin

 

[dreadpirate]

I consider the slant mild. I'll have to try a feather blade to see if there is a difference.

The two open combs pictured above are indeed more aggressive than the slant. Yet the slant has the reputation of being "aggressive" and "a good choice for heavy beards".

 

[dreadpirate]

Try putting a feather in the long comb New or a Merkur 11C

I consider the slant mild. I'll have to try a feather blade to see if there is a difference.

 

[dreadpirate]

Agreed - and I think the slant is a more enjoyable shave than the open-combs as well.

Hi there,

Maybe I can offer another perspective on the open comb types I've used. A while ago I went through 4-5 different ones, trying to find a model that gave me as comfortable of a shave as the one I get from my go to razor. Since then I've tried maybe 4-5 others. Every one one of em was too aggressive for a comfortable shave , ranging from feeling like a fatboy set on #5, all the way up to the ones that felt like they were on 11 or a little higher......

I know how to shave my face with a DE by now, and I know what I can expect for results if all the tools are correct. I've used at least 30 different razor models over the years, and I know what fits my face. My go to razor is a fatboy set on #3, which was found after much trial and error. Yeah, I like a milder razor paired with very sharp blades.

I found all the open combs had two things in common:

First thing is they all shave closer than a razor without a comb(the good part), and the second thing is the fact I'm aware of the blade on my face waaaay too much. I don't care to feel the blade at all when I shave, which isn't possible for me with an open comb type. What I gain in closeness doesn't make up for the amount of discomfort during the shave.

My technique is such that by now I can use any razor without cuts or razor burn, but it doesn't mean I'll enjoy myself in the process. I do occasionally use a couple of the milder OC types, but only as a change of pace( mainly cause they look so purty). If I had to use one daily, I'd switch back to the injector I was using years ago.

I'm thinking that in some way my skin may be more sensitive than some other members. Maybe it's 'thinner' or something, and can't tolerate the way certain razors present the blade to my face. Maybe it's a mechanical thing that's built into the OC design in general. For some reason. I don't believe the results have all that much to do with how thick my beard growth would be. I think it's more of how close the blade rests on my face.

In any case, here's another side of the many sided coin to consider,

Martin

 

[red71veloce]

Try putting a feather in the long comb New or a Merkur 11C

I'm waiting on some Feathers to arrive whereupon they will go into a Long Comb New head on the Bull Mastiff......can't wait.....but I'll admit it is kind of like standing in line to get on a roller coaster!!

Tracy

 

[L. Martino]

Agreed - and I think the slant is a more enjoyable shave than the open-combs as well.

Well, the slants I've tried have all been milder than the mildest OC type, although I will much more often reach for an OC if I want a razor with a somewhat aggressive nature.

My ideal razor would be one that shaves as close as an OC, yet is as comfortable as the Fatboy. The answer of course is the adjustable OC model.

Oh, let me mention something to the newer members about a couple variations in the OC head design. From what I found, the shorter tooth versions were unusually nasty to my face. No redness or weepers normally, even with those types, but I really had to pay attention to detail. Zero room for error with those kinds. Heh, I have a few razors I can't even use cause they're so uncomfortable.

I still will pull out one of those NEW types or Sheraton or an old Aristocrat(mildest of the ones I have). I love the way they look and feel, and the extremely close shave they provide. Sometimes a closer shave with a nice looking tool is worth the slight comfort flaws in the package.

Martin