Kit Used
If you’re curious about my typical prep, you can read it here:
A Noob’s First Experience with Open Comb and Slant Razors: A Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements’ Filament - https://www.badgerandblade.com/forum/threads/a-noobs-first-experience-with-open-comb-and-slant-razors-a-phoenix-artisan-accoutrements-filament.648432/.)
Razor
In hand the Gillette New Long Comb razor is decidedly head-heavy just about every place you hold it, except when you choke up on the grip just below the head/handle attachment point: something I tend to do. I wouldn’t call the handle fat, though it is billed as such. Its thickness (.43 inches/11mm) allows for nice purchase and does not feel dainty: I’ve got chunky monkey hands. The knurling contributes well to a secure grip, even with damp/wet hands but is far from what I’d call aggressive. It is certainly not a long handle: measuring 3 inches/75mm. I think for me this is a perfect length for how I handle a razor. I can get close and maintain a good deal of control allowing the razor to do the work, adjusting the weight of the head by where the handle is gripped.
The Gillette New Long Comb razor has very nice heft and feels solid. As mentioned its balance point is right at the base of the pinch point (the sculpted non-knurled curved place that screws onto the head cap post.) It is a rather lovely aged brass color. (See the pics.) All in all it is an old used razor that looks to be in really excellent condition otherwise. Ah, there is no damage I can see to the handle. Many of this age have cracks that run longitudinally along the handle at the screw/attachment point.
Shave
Can you hear the angelic choir’s sustain? Okay, not exactly that good, but for me the combination of the Gillette New Long Comb paired with a Wizamet Super Iridium blade made my 4 day growth disappear with great ease and relative comfort, especially while shaving my super sensitive neck. This was also facilitated with the use of a generously applied and worked layer of PAA’s Cube 2.0 pre-save under a really creamy, marshmallow whipped top layer of PAA’s CK6 formula Cane shave soap. I apply both to the areas I’m shaving and then moisten and reapply when I get to that area.
I was quite surprised to find the razor as mild as it is, while also being clearly more efficient than my Gillette Tech. Perhaps I shouldn’t be surprised by these differences between a solid bar and open comb from the same stable. However, still being novice to the open comb variety, I am quite pleased with the revelation…
(Upon visual inspection and comparison between a loaded Tech and the New Long Comb revealed nearly identical blade exposure and gap, with the NLC appearing perhaps slightly more open. I will concede this could simply be perceptual differences/an illusion caused by the structural differences in the open comb vs solid bar design. I did not experience blade chatter: it all felt very secure.)
…If I weren’t so dogged about pursuing BBS (no chiding please) I could have stopped with two passes of my neck (XTG – WTG). The third pass, ATG, was the smoothest such pass of any shave I’ve ever had for my neck, though it did still leave behind a few weepers.
My cheeks are the least sensitive area I shave and these cleared to BBS with great ease after only two passes (WTG – ATG).
My head? I didn’t go there with this single bladed razor. I left my dome for my Leaf and do not anticipate using a DE again for my head simply because I don’t enjoy the shave or the result: it is simply not comfortable.
Post-Shave
As mentioned, while my neck yielded some weepers, these were no more than usual and the post-shave alum treatment was more than a tad tingly per usual. My cheeks had almost zero tingle.
Last Thoughts
Having a bit of an adventurous spirit with this necessity, luxury, indulgence we call wet shaving, I’m really pleased with my near $32 investment in this antique 30s era Gillette New Long Comb. Do not read this as a lament. Outside of finding this razor at a garage sale for a couple of bucks, I think I’ve gotten a bit of a bargain on this ebay score given its fine condition. I’m really happy to have it in my functional and very, very, very modest array of kit. In fact, I’m so pleased I will be looking for a second. I live in the mindset of one is none, two is one and three is what you need. I’m not going to have three of these but two is very doable and desirable for my situation.
If you’ve used the same or similar razor, please share your experiences/thoughts: would enjoy reading what you have to share and/or recommend.
- Exfoliating Glove
- Dr. Bronner’s Liquid Castile Soap
- PAA Cube 2.0 Pre-Shave (non-menthol)
- PAA Cane Shave Soap (Huh…I honestly forgot I used this for the PAA Filament Review!)
- PAA Doppler Shave Brush
- PAA Intergalactic Shave Scuttle
- 30s Era Gillette New Long Comb: first use
- Wizamet Super Iridium DE Blade
- PAA Alum w/dock
- My own blended beard oil
- Pura d’or 20% Vitamin C Serum
- Derma-E Ultra Hydrating Advanced Repair Night Cream
If you’re curious about my typical prep, you can read it here:
A Noob’s First Experience with Open Comb and Slant Razors: A Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements’ Filament - https://www.badgerandblade.com/forum/threads/a-noobs-first-experience-with-open-comb-and-slant-razors-a-phoenix-artisan-accoutrements-filament.648432/.)
Razor
In hand the Gillette New Long Comb razor is decidedly head-heavy just about every place you hold it, except when you choke up on the grip just below the head/handle attachment point: something I tend to do. I wouldn’t call the handle fat, though it is billed as such. Its thickness (.43 inches/11mm) allows for nice purchase and does not feel dainty: I’ve got chunky monkey hands. The knurling contributes well to a secure grip, even with damp/wet hands but is far from what I’d call aggressive. It is certainly not a long handle: measuring 3 inches/75mm. I think for me this is a perfect length for how I handle a razor. I can get close and maintain a good deal of control allowing the razor to do the work, adjusting the weight of the head by where the handle is gripped.
The Gillette New Long Comb razor has very nice heft and feels solid. As mentioned its balance point is right at the base of the pinch point (the sculpted non-knurled curved place that screws onto the head cap post.) It is a rather lovely aged brass color. (See the pics.) All in all it is an old used razor that looks to be in really excellent condition otherwise. Ah, there is no damage I can see to the handle. Many of this age have cracks that run longitudinally along the handle at the screw/attachment point.
Shave
Can you hear the angelic choir’s sustain? Okay, not exactly that good, but for me the combination of the Gillette New Long Comb paired with a Wizamet Super Iridium blade made my 4 day growth disappear with great ease and relative comfort, especially while shaving my super sensitive neck. This was also facilitated with the use of a generously applied and worked layer of PAA’s Cube 2.0 pre-save under a really creamy, marshmallow whipped top layer of PAA’s CK6 formula Cane shave soap. I apply both to the areas I’m shaving and then moisten and reapply when I get to that area.
I was quite surprised to find the razor as mild as it is, while also being clearly more efficient than my Gillette Tech. Perhaps I shouldn’t be surprised by these differences between a solid bar and open comb from the same stable. However, still being novice to the open comb variety, I am quite pleased with the revelation…
(Upon visual inspection and comparison between a loaded Tech and the New Long Comb revealed nearly identical blade exposure and gap, with the NLC appearing perhaps slightly more open. I will concede this could simply be perceptual differences/an illusion caused by the structural differences in the open comb vs solid bar design. I did not experience blade chatter: it all felt very secure.)
…If I weren’t so dogged about pursuing BBS (no chiding please) I could have stopped with two passes of my neck (XTG – WTG). The third pass, ATG, was the smoothest such pass of any shave I’ve ever had for my neck, though it did still leave behind a few weepers.
My cheeks are the least sensitive area I shave and these cleared to BBS with great ease after only two passes (WTG – ATG).
My head? I didn’t go there with this single bladed razor. I left my dome for my Leaf and do not anticipate using a DE again for my head simply because I don’t enjoy the shave or the result: it is simply not comfortable.
Post-Shave
As mentioned, while my neck yielded some weepers, these were no more than usual and the post-shave alum treatment was more than a tad tingly per usual. My cheeks had almost zero tingle.
Last Thoughts
Having a bit of an adventurous spirit with this necessity, luxury, indulgence we call wet shaving, I’m really pleased with my near $32 investment in this antique 30s era Gillette New Long Comb. Do not read this as a lament. Outside of finding this razor at a garage sale for a couple of bucks, I think I’ve gotten a bit of a bargain on this ebay score given its fine condition. I’m really happy to have it in my functional and very, very, very modest array of kit. In fact, I’m so pleased I will be looking for a second. I live in the mindset of one is none, two is one and three is what you need. I’m not going to have three of these but two is very doable and desirable for my situation.
If you’ve used the same or similar razor, please share your experiences/thoughts: would enjoy reading what you have to share and/or recommend.
