I was looking at some merkur razors and saw a lot that have an open comb rather than just the safety bar. What purpose dose the open comb serve?
why an open comb?
- Thread starter salazch12
- Start date
The combs are to keep you from cutting your own throat while shaving, the design preceded the safety bar razors.
- Thread starter
- #3
Oh ok. I thought the open comb came later. The comb makes it look like it exposes more of the blade and would be more harsh. Good to know.
Open combs can be as mild or as aggressive as safety bars. They are particulary good at shaving a couple of days (weeks/months/years) growth without clogging up your razor. And besides they shave a little different; you will have to try whether you like that or not.
I do!
I do!
Love it!!
Open combs are to scare away anyone who might try to nab your razor and shave her legs.
It's a proactive offensive tactic to keep your blade sharp longer.
Ok, not really, but I have a gold/brassy New Standard that gives me a nicer one pass than any other razor I've EVER used!
Open Combs tell your beard, (in the voice of R. Lee Ermey) "STAND UP AND PREPARE TO BE MOWED DOWN!"
Open combs are to scare away anyone who might try to nab your razor and shave her legs.
It's a proactive offensive tactic to keep your blade sharp longer.
Ok, not really, but I have a gold/brassy New Standard that gives me a nicer one pass than any other razor I've EVER used!
Open Combs tell your beard, (in the voice of R. Lee Ermey) "STAND UP AND PREPARE TO BE MOWED DOWN!"
they tend to be very aggressive but will give you a nice clean close shave 
B
buyandhold2018
- Great for shaving a few days or more of growth; doesn't clog up
- If your blade angle is off you'll see tracks
- lather gets trapped in the teeth making blade buffing more comfortable
- they just look a whole lot cooler
- If your blade angle is off you'll see tracks
- lather gets trapped in the teeth making blade buffing more comfortable
- they just look a whole lot cooler
My old style is less agressive than the Knack my dad gave me. OC razors are a pleasure to use. The blade is well protected, possibly better than with a bar.
Phil
Phil
I love both for different reasons - but I do get a heck of a smooth shave from an open comb!
Got my first open comb on Christmas day, a Muhle R41, and love it. Paired to a Feather blade, I still get the BBS as with my EJ89L.
David
David
David, would you please compare the two shave-wise? I have the EJ89L and have been toying with the idea of adding the R41. Very happy with the 89L but wondering it the open comb would be as smooth yet closer.
John,
I've had my EJ89L for some 7 or 8 months now and believe it's one of the best DE razors on the market. I don't have a particulaly heavy beard and shave every day, so I did wonder if an open comb was necessary, being under the impression it was for heavier beards of several days of growth. Anyway, curiosity got the better of me and Christmas bought me this Muhle. The finish is every bit as good as the EJ. Good Start. It's very slightly lighter than The EJ, which I feel is perfectly balanced. My usual blade is a Feather, perfectly matched to the EJ, but I used a Bolzano for my first shave with the Muhle, cautious towards it's higher aggression. First shave not bad. Not quite as good as I'm used to but I was very cautious again. Second shave, switched to a Feather, and as good as my EJ this time. BBS, and very smooth. No cuts or anything. I like variety, and this open comb gives that to me. Is it really necessary if you have an EJ89L? Probably not, but at £22 in England, it doesn't break the bank! I wouldn't hesitate recommending this as a second razor to the EJ89L.
David
Thank you very much, David! Very good information! I may have to get one. Have been using a 40s Superspeed for occasional variety, and have found it similar to but maybe not quite as nice as the 89L. Neither give me a BBS, probably because I have a "wild" chin pattern. Perhaps the R41 will help that.
OC's are great - but a slant is even better. I heartily recommend a either the HD or barber pole Merkur slants, or try both. The slicing action makes for a smooth shave.
http://www.vintagebladesllc.com/vshop/xcart/product.php?productid=729&cat=129&page=1
or
http://www.vintagebladesllc.com/vshop/xcart/product.php?productid=547&cat=129&page=1
http://www.vintagebladesllc.com/vshop/xcart/product.php?productid=729&cat=129&page=1
or
http://www.vintagebladesllc.com/vshop/xcart/product.php?productid=547&cat=129&page=1
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I've been using a Muhle R41 open comb for a while, and find that it just never clogs, which other razors always seem to do to me, and it is aggressive enough even though I have a fairly stiff beard. That said, I like my Merkur slant barber pole just as well, and prefer the slant when I have been more than 2 days without a shave.
When I used to have one, the open combs made it easier to shave around my moustache; I imagine it's good with long sideburns as well.
Also for me at least the open comb works very well with Derby blades, where the slant really seems best with (more expensive) Feather blades.
When I used to have one, the open combs made it easier to shave around my moustache; I imagine it's good with long sideburns as well.
Also for me at least the open comb works very well with Derby blades, where the slant really seems best with (more expensive) Feather blades.
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