Posting this question because although I don't generally have a preference for open comb over safety bar, or vice versa, in the past few months I have acquired two razors (one a dual comb and one with multiple heads) and have decided that for these razors, the open comb is much better, and I wasn't expecting that result for either razor. Let me explain.
First, I finally acquired a Wolfman, off the B/S/T, which just happened to be a WR-1 in dual comb. I generally like mild razors, and this was a 0.79 gap, so I fully expected to much prefer the safety bar, and maybe to just use the open comb when a few days had passed between shaves, or just for a change of pace once in a while. I was VERY surprised to find that I found the open comb side to be superior in every way right off the bat, and my opinion hasn't changed after multiple shaves.
Second, very recently I bought an aluminum Karve off the BST with four baseplates, a C, a D, an E, and an open comb D. Again, since I prefer mild razors like the Tech and Pils, when I was contemplating possibly purchasing a Karve I was strongly leaning toward a C safety bar. Karve says that the open combs are about one "letter" more aggressive than their safety bar counterparts, which means that the open comb D should be as aggressive as the safety bar E. Let me reiterate that in a million years I would never have even thought about purchasing either an E safety bar or a D open comb. HOWEVER, after using all these plates several times, my favorite is the D open comb. Again, this was very unexpected.
So, I'm wondering whether any of YOU have a strong preference for one OR for the other, having tried both styles from a single manufacturer, or having a dual comb and strongly preferring one side over the other.
First, I finally acquired a Wolfman, off the B/S/T, which just happened to be a WR-1 in dual comb. I generally like mild razors, and this was a 0.79 gap, so I fully expected to much prefer the safety bar, and maybe to just use the open comb when a few days had passed between shaves, or just for a change of pace once in a while. I was VERY surprised to find that I found the open comb side to be superior in every way right off the bat, and my opinion hasn't changed after multiple shaves.
Second, very recently I bought an aluminum Karve off the BST with four baseplates, a C, a D, an E, and an open comb D. Again, since I prefer mild razors like the Tech and Pils, when I was contemplating possibly purchasing a Karve I was strongly leaning toward a C safety bar. Karve says that the open combs are about one "letter" more aggressive than their safety bar counterparts, which means that the open comb D should be as aggressive as the safety bar E. Let me reiterate that in a million years I would never have even thought about purchasing either an E safety bar or a D open comb. HOWEVER, after using all these plates several times, my favorite is the D open comb. Again, this was very unexpected.
So, I'm wondering whether any of YOU have a strong preference for one OR for the other, having tried both styles from a single manufacturer, or having a dual comb and strongly preferring one side over the other.