Open comb v Closed comb DE Razor

wooky114

wooky114

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Peterhead
All my razors are of the closed comb variety (Merkur Futur, 34, 30 & Gillette Rocket HD). I've never used an open comb razor, so the question is, should I look at trying one?

From what I've read on the on the web in various forums etc, open combs are generally regarded as being more 'aggressive' so what would the advantages / disadvantages / pro's / cons be of adding one to the collection. Any hints / tips / advice or suggestions as to makes / models to look at / consider would be appreciated.
 
wooky114 said:
All my razors are of the closed comb variety (Merkur Futur, 34, 30 & Gillette Rocket HD). I've never used an open comb razor, so the question is, should I look at trying one?

From what I've read on the on the web in various forums etc, open combs are generally regarded as being more 'aggressive' so what would the advantages / disadvantages / pro's / cons be of adding one to the collection. Any hints / tips / advice or suggestions as to makes / models to look at / consider would be appreciated.
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Razor aggression is not determined by the type of bar or comb. The fact that later Gillettes, for example, are milder than earlier models is a function of other changes in design, not the comb.

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wooky114 said:
the question is, should I look at trying one?

From what I've read on the on the web in various forums etc, open combs are generally regarded as being more 'aggressive' so what would the advantages / disadvantages / pro's / cons be of adding one to the collection. Any hints / tips / advice or suggestions as to makes / models to look at / consider would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

Hi there,

Ok, real quickly, OC types generally have more bite and it varies from each model. Means you gotta pay more attention to detail during the shave and often the blade is felt on your face more. Closer/smoother than usual results are common.

Best version to start with is a long tooth NEW. Not real aggressive but still plenty of skill is needed for a great shave. Skip the early Gillettes with the Old Type heads.....little bloodsucking vampire bastards.

Definitely worth spending some time sampling a few models,

Martin
 
I've tried a few open comb razors and just couldn't get on with them not because of the aggressiveness but because the feel. But I've had a R41 for the last month and love it and it's cheap for just the head maybe worth a try.
 
dodgy said:
Hi there,

Ok, real quickly, OC types generally have more bite and it varies from each model. Means you gotta pay more attention to detail during the shave and often the blade is felt on your face more. Closer/smoother than usual results are common.

Best version to start with is a long tooth NEW. Not real aggressive but still plenty of skill is needed for a great shave. Skip the early Gillettes with the Old Type heads.....little bloodsucking vampire bastards.

Definitely worth spending some time sampling a few models,

Martin
Click to expand...
Perhaps you can explain how a comb has more bite then a bar. Hint: it's irrelevant.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
 
wooky114 said:
All my razors are of the closed comb variety (Merkur Futur, 34, 30 & Gillette Rocket HD). I've never used an open comb razor, so the question is, should I look at trying one?

From what I've read on the on the web in various forums etc, open combs are generally regarded as being more 'aggressive' so what would the advantages / disadvantages / pro's / cons be of adding one to the collection. Any hints / tips / advice or suggestions as to makes / models to look at / consider would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
The most aggressive DE razor I have is an iKon Shavecraft 104, which is not open comb.

My favourite DE razor that I own is a Fatip Piccolo, compared to the 104 it is mild! I highly recommend trying the Fatip Piccolo, for the price you can't go wrong, if it works for you I think you will love it. If it does not suit you then you will not have spent too much and you can always put it up on BST if you don't like it.

I have managed to make more of a mess of my face using a DE89 than any other DE or SE razor!
 
Bizzyberry said:
The most aggressive DE razor I have is an iKon Shavecraft 104, which is not open comb.

My favourite DE razor that I own is a Fatip Piccolo, compared to the 104 it is mild! I highly recommend trying the Fatip Piccolo, for the price you can't go wrong, if it works for you I think you will love it. If it does not suit you then you will not have spent too much and you can always put it up on BST if you don't like it.

I have managed to make more of a mess of my face using a DE89 than any other DE or SE razor!
Click to expand...
This is excellent advice. The Piccolo is my favourite razor bar none, shaves like a dream, and looks classy in design and build - it's nickel-plated brass, not zamak. Great razor, great price.
 
I have two razors with the same blade gap, ATT S1 and S2 - close comb and open comb.

The close comb feels more forgiving, like it doesn't demand as much respect as the S2 does. If I need to shave in a hurry the S1 will always come before the S2 in my choice of weapon.

The S2 is more efficient and it does feel rougher on the skin, specially ATG.

The R41 is a brilliant razor but I don't think it's an open comb like my S2, it's more like half open comb :)

The choice of blade for the S2 is more difficult . ... the S1 works well for me with anything.

I love both of them :)
 
jmudrick said:
Perhaps you can explain how a comb has more bite then a bar. Hint: it's irrelevant.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

And I quote:

The open comb head was introduced at the beginning of the twentieth century with the aim of
making it easier to shave wide moustaches and sideburns, very fashionable at that time.

The open comb head gives you a closer shave because the skin is less stretched and the hair,
slipping into the prongs of the comb, moves closer to the blade.
Click to expand...

http://www.fatip.it/the-razor/?lang=en

As a perfect example compare shaves between a Gillette Tech & a Gillette New model razors. They both have the same head and general baseplate design with the only difference being the teeth and the latter giving a more "aggressive" shave in the opinion of many, myself included. I often discover that many who claim there is no difference usually have some sort of Van Dyke or other form of chin/mouth whiskers thereby preventing them from "navigating" the hardest parts of the face to shave. I can shave all day with a New model razor on my cheeks & neck, however it's just too aggressive for the chin/mouth areas for me and requires surgeon like attention. Finally, I find the sensation of the teeth on my face bizarre and a little unnerving. Just my 2 cents.
 
Bogeyman said:
And I quote:



http://www.fatip.it/the-razor/?lang=en

As a perfect example compare shaves between a Gillette Tech & a Gillette New model razors. They both have the same head and general baseplate design with the only difference being the teeth and the latter giving a more "aggressive" shave in the opinion of many, myself included. I often discover that many who claim there is no difference usually have some sort of Van Dyke or other form of chin/mouth whiskers thereby preventing them from "navigating" the hardest parts of the face to shave. I can shave all day with a New model razor on my cheeks & neck, however it's just too aggressive for the chin/mouth areas for me and requires surgeon like attention. Finally, I find the sensation of the teeth on my face bizarre and a little unnerving. Just my 2 cents.
Click to expand...
Perhaps. I'm sure you know there are other theories about the design of the comb. FWIW the blade gap database does not show the same blade gap for the Tech and New. I have no horse in this race I've simply read otherwise.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
 
Greetings

My conclusion after regularly shaving with dozens of open comb razors is that open or closed comb has little to do with aggression, or lack of it.

What makes a razor more or less aggressive in the main are two points, blade gap and blade protrusion, some razors are aggressive because of a large amount of one or in many cases both of these points. It is quite possible to have a very aggressive razor with a fairly small blade gap but where the blade protrudes level with the end of the comb or the safety bar, many old lather catchers are made this way.

During the period between the wars and earlier quite aggressive razors were the trend and during this period just about all razors were open comb, I think this is were the myth that all open comb razors are aggressive comes from.

IMHO a razor can be designed aggressive quite irrespective of whether it is open comb or safety bar and there are (as stated by a previous poster) modern examples of this.

Regards
Dick.
 
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