open vs closed comb

Open comb for if you shave less regularly, safety bar for daily shavers.

Notice that over the years, the safety bar became de rigeur and open comb was phased out? Also of fun for discussion is the "devette" as we've taken to calling it and to facilitate searching, but when safety bars first hit the market, chaps would cut off the safety bar and use the razor like a double sided shavette, no safety bar or comb.
 
An open comb leaves more lather on the skin for the blade, it also works much better if you've left off shaving for a couple of days because the comb doesn't flatten the stubble and they're less likely to clog. Plus they look cool. A common misconception is that open combs are more aggressive, but aggression is determined by geometry not comb vs bar.

I prefer open combs and use them most of the time.
 
I prefer open combs because of the flatter head geometry.
I like the OLD style and the clones of the OLD.
They might look the same but they all behave slightly different.
Some are milder than a 70's copy of Penthouse and some are proper Putin.

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My personal experience is that some open combs are more aggressive. But then a closed comb or safety bar razor can also be quite aggressive if they have a big blade gap.

I have been using a Gillette New for the last 3 days and it is definitely more aggressive than a Tech. I've had razor burn for the last two days! But the new took off 3 day stubble quickly, effortlessly and painlessly. So I'll go with PJGH, open combs if you shave every 2 or 3 days and a mild closed comb, like a Tech, for daily use.
 
I prefer open combs because of the flatter head geometry.
I like the OLD style and the clones of the OLD.
They might look the same but they all behave slightly different.
Some are milder than a 70's copy of Penthouse and some are proper Putin.

SAM_3383_zpspl7iyxue.jpg

e5e8cc39-e15b-46a6-b4fa-00639cb5b84d_zpswhyyhayq.jpg

bd3173b1-6361-4e17-a9bd-34207559fac9_zpsz2ky70jt.jpg

43971529-85f3-4ae9-86a2-b5287a8808ab_zpsj667x5yt.jpg

Just noticed you have Souplex or Big Ben there (same razor, different names), I love that razor and as OCs go it is quite mild. I recently received a Big Ben from another forum member and I'm looking forward to trying it out next week. I'm debating putting my Souplex in my travel kit, I don't shave daily on holiday, but I would be gutted if I lost it...
 
Just noticed you have Souplex or Big Ben there (same razor, different names), I love that razor and as OCs go it is quite mild. I recently received a Big Ben from another forum member and I'm looking forward to trying it out next week. I'm debating putting my Souplex in my travel kit, I don't shave daily on holiday, but I would be gutted if I lost it...

My Big Ben is smoother than Huggy Bear.

th
 
What is the difference (other than the physical aspect) and what are the advantages?
The difference is nil. Open combs cost more to make, and are more easily damaged during production. This is why manufacturers started to produce closed comb (bar guard) razors starting in the late 1930's.

The perception that open combs are inherently more aggressive than bar guard razors is due to the fact that the earliest models of Gillette razors were designed to take a thicker blade. They take modern blades just fine, but are more aggressive as a result.

My 1930's Cooper MonoBilt razor is very mild indeed, as are the Gillette Sheraton and Senator open comb Twist-to-open razors. So is the modern Pheonix Double Open Comb razor, for that matter.
 
My most aggressive razors (so far) are my Gillette New, Gillette Old Type and Merkur 11c, all open combs. My mildest razors are Techs, all closed.

Having said that my Souplex and my Merkur 41c are mild-ish and they are OCs, whereas my Aristocrat Junior is pretty aggressive and close comb.

I have been using a Gillette New as a daily razor for the last 4 days and have had lots of minor cuts and a bit of razor burn. I will use it one more time then "retire" it as a daily razor. I'll still use for 2-3 day stubble because it shears though that brilliantly.

Obviously this is my own personal experience and as the saying goes YMMV. [emoji2]
 
....... And the Ikon Tech is a safety bar razor ........ reputedly a bit of a beast in terms of aggression .......

On the subject of Ikon ...... Their standard safety bar razor is also more aggressive than their OC Deluxe .......
 
I have been using a Gillette New as a daily razor for the last 4 days and have had lots of minor cuts and a bit of razor burn. I will use it one more time then "retire" it as a daily razor. I'll still use for 2-3 day stubble because it shears though that brilliantly..

What blades have you been using? Only blades I could bear were Perma-Sharp Supers and 7 o'clock yellows.
 
I'm using Voskhod Teflons. I usually use "mild" blades, like the Voskhods and 7 O'clock Greens in aggressive razors and more "aggressive" blades like 7 O'clock Yellows and Sputniks in mild razors.
 
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