Why Do We Say "Open Comb"?

[razor_n_blade]

A comb is a comb by virtue of the fact that it has teeth, and is therefore already "open" -- so why the redundancy? This seems to be an industry standard term also, as I see it being used by most of the new razor vendors.

Just kind of weird...

 

[AsylumGuido]

It may be based upon other early razors such as GEMs which truly had closed combs and open combs.

 

[talibeard]

It may be based upon other early razors such as GEMs which truly had closed combs and open combs.

I guessed it had to be something like that. The funny thing is that in german and dutch it is also called open comb (well, not in english ...) so it is quite international.

 

[swartzkip]

wel you could also argue that a comb is something that moves stuff around (hair mostly) and that both a straigt bar and open comb have thet feature. Unlike a straight razor for example.

*disclaimer: i made it up as i went along

 

[AsylumGuido]

wel you could also argue that a comb is something that moves stuff around (hair mostly) and that both a straigt bar and open comb have thet feature. Unlike a straight razor for example.

*disclaimer: i made it up as i went along

Here are two early GEM Lather Catchers. The first is a GEM Junior and features a closed comb design.

The second is a GEM New and it has a true open comb.

 

[razor_n_blade]

It may be based upon other early razors such as GEMs which truly had closed combs and open combs.

I had forgotten about the SE razors, so this makes perfect sense. Then we should actually be referring to them as "closed comb" and "comb".

 

[AsylumGuido]

I had forgotten about the SE razors, so this makes perfect sense. Then we should actually be referring to them as "closed comb" and "comb".

Well, both are technically combs. One just happens to be open while the other is closed. The full description just seems more consistent.

 

[Kazeryu]

Well, both are technically combs. One just happens to be open while the other is closed. The full description just seems more consistent.

I agree. Just saying "comb" would be ambiguous.

 

[r0ckrat]

In amongst the definitions available for comb is "any of several tools for straightening fibers" which does not define it as being specifically "open" or "closed".

Yes, a hair comb itself is "open" by it's nature, but this isn't the same type of thing.

 

[SRock]

It may be based upon other early razors such as GEMs which truly had closed combs and open combs.

Leave it to Guido! Great answer, I suspect you are correct Sir.

 

[ctakim]

Hey, I learned something today! Thanks Guido!!!

 

[DunEdinRanger]

Great thread and awesome photos. I really want one of those lather catchers now.

 

[Haiku]

Great pictures and explanation!

To my way of thinking, the Slant razor is a version of a closed comb.