TTO Open Comb Vs Non TTO?

[Gunky]

I have British #15 on the way, wanted to know how these shave compared to a Gillette NEW. Better/Worse/Same? I know they are heavier and have a different blade gap.

 

[superbleu]

All the TTO Open comb gillettes(even the british ones) are pretty mild shavers compared to the New. Just my opinion.

 

[Pike]

All the TTO Open comb gillettes(even the british ones) are pretty mild shavers compared to the New. Just my opinion.

I have to respectfully disagree....I find the open comb TTO's to be surprisingly aggressive...I have a #15 and a Sheraton...Don't get me wrong, they are fantastic shavers....but I find the New and the Improved to be less agressive. Of course technique and blade choice could have a lot to do with it. As with all razors, YMMV.

 

[moshulu]

One problem is that there is considerable variability in the aggressiveness of TTOs.

I know this is heresy to many, but the basic TTO design is kinda dumb. Before TTO, the blade was simply mashed between two tightly fitting pieces of metal, which guaranteed a consistent blade angle. With the advent of TTO, the blade is held down along a relatively small part of its area (near the cutting edge) and it has to bow up to the inner surface of the doors. If any of this does not happen properly (for example, if there is gunk in the threads) you can get a lethal blade angle. Performance was sacrificed to convenience and marketing. Not for the first or last time in that cursed century, I'm afraid.