Wow, I think I may love open comb razors...

[rhitee93]

I had my first shave with an “Old” this morning, and I think it may have become a new favorite. I thought I had read that you couldn’t really use the old type razors with new blades so I hadn’t really considered trying it before. However I kept seeing them mentioned here so I put an Astra SP in it this morning and shaved away.

I found it to be quite mild. In fact my only complaint would be that I would want it to be a bit more aggressive. Even after 3 passes, I still had some cleanup to do. However that may have had more to do with technique. I was struggling a bit with the angle in places, but I think that is why I liked the shave so much. I have been bouncing back and forth from a Fatboy and a Super Adjustable for the last 2 weeks. What I really liked this morning was the small head that gave me great visibility to the blade.

Now I have to find a “New”!

[RKG]

+1. Second shave this morning with a short comb NEW. Closest shave I've had in 6 months. And with a 4-day old blade! Very mild shave, but that's what I like. Now I have to try a long comb NEW.

Bob

[jamesspo]

Oh yeah, the old type's a great shaver, although I do prefer the New's a bit more. And yes, new blades work just fine. It's the old blades that don't work in (most) newer razors. The original Gilette blades had just three holes in them, instead of the slot/hole combo of modern blades, making them unusable in the New, and most modern DE's.

[franz]

Open comb razors are awesome.

[rhitee93]

Oh yeah, the old type's a great shaver, although I do prefer the New's a bit more. And yes, new blades work just fine. It's the old blades that don't work in (most) newer razors. The original Gilette blades had just three holes in them, instead of the slot/hole combo of modern blades, making them unusable in the New, and most modern DE's.

Ahh, now I understand the blade thing. Thanks!

[KenR]

Unless I got things wrong, I have two open comb OLD types that have the thinner head. I find them to shave much more agressive than my open comb NEW razors, which are my absolute favorites.

[shanman]

Open combs are great, and they work very well for lifting those stubborn flat lying hairs up into the cutting field. For example, I can get a different shave from an open comb Gillette New that has nice crisp edges to the comb versus the New that has been buffed on/smoothed/replated.

[tchudson]

What a timely thread! I was thinking about my open-comb this morning - I have a 1921-28 Ball-end Old Type Open Comb (I think that's what it is) - it's probably my least-used DE razor. I find that the open-comb doesn't feel as good on my face as a solid-bar. Been thinking about PIFing it sometime, but can't make up my mind. Need to break it out and use it a few more times and see if I can make up my mind....

[shanman]

What a timely thread! I was thinking about my open-comb this morning - I have a 1921-28 Ball-end Old Type Open Comb (I think that's what it is) - it's probably my least-used DE razor. I find that the open-comb doesn't feel as good on my face as a solid-bar. Been thinking about PIFing it sometime, but can't make up my mind. Need to break it out and use it a few more times and see if I can make up my mind....

If wet shaving is recent to you, I suggest shelving the Old Type until your technique, lather making, etc. improve. It can be an unforgiving razor unless these things are solid. Come back to it later, and with proper blade choice you might be pleasantly surprised.

[gousooners18]

How does the old compare to the new in terms off aggressiveness? I just shaved with an old this morning (very timely thread I may add) and enjoyed it and my goal is to work up to buying the R41 but want to get a feel for open combs at this point. I have seen a couple bar handled news around and am waiting till thursday to get one depending on if they are still there and it is a bit different from the old. Any info or direction to previous threads where this was discussed would be most helpful.

[RatMan]

You have convinced me I just bid on one, Gillete open comb early shaver. I hope if I win it, it lives up to your review.

[Dave Deluxe]

"Unless I got things wrong, I have two open comb OLD types that have the thinner head. I find them to shave much more agressive than my open comb NEW razor"

I'm with you, my Old Type is the most agressive of the DE's that I have. I like it, but it can be very unforgiving at times. The NEW (long comb) I own, is by far a more easy going razor.

DD

[itsmedave]

There's no better razor than an open comb razor to me. I have a re-plated Gillette New and hopefully soon a replated Gillette Old Type that are in a case sitting in my bathroom on display. The old Gillette Open Combs are works of art to me and there's not much that does a better job than them.

[Sledgehammer39]

I truly enjoy my OC razor!

[itsmedave]

I truly enjoy my OC razor!

I enjoy mine too. All 35 of em with 5 more on the way.

[dgilman]

There's no better razor than an open comb razor to me....The old Gillette Open Combs are works of art to me and there's not much that does a better job than them.

+1. My long comb New is the only open comb in my current DE rotation (out of five), and every time I shave with it, I am reminded of why I keep noting as my very best razor in my little spreadsheet. It consistently out-shaves both my Fat Boy and my Slim, which are pretty great razors for me. The Gillette New was simply a damn fine product.

I also get very good to great shaves from my two open comb SE razors, but that seems to verge on thread hijacking, so I'll let that go. :001_smile

[Coda_]

...I love my Ball End Old Type, and I thought the same as you the first time I used it...I find it to be right in the middle of aggressive and mild...the thing is, in my experience, if your angle is off by even a hair, you can get a horrible shave...very shallow angle corridor on the Old Type...great razor though. I particularly enjoy the thinner head...makes shaving under the nose effortless...

[eastomjac]

heres my oc's.forgive the green on the one.didnt realize it needed cleaning untill after the pic.funny how tarnish can hide in plain sight

[itsmedave]

Those are some beauties.

[jbradley]

I've said it before, I'll say it again and again, I love my NEW long comb. Absolutly the best shave I have had in 30 some odd years of shaving. I have several other razors, but I always use my NEW. I am looking for an Old Type in the wild, as well as a Gem SE or two, but I think I will always return to my first love.
Johnnie

[tchudson]

If wet shaving is recent to you, I suggest shelving the Old Type until your technique, lather making, etc. improve. It can be an unforgiving razor unless these things are solid. Come back to it later, and with proper blade choice you might be pleasantly surprised.

It's not the shave I get from it - I get a DFS. It's the way the combs themselves feel against my face when I'm shaving. Not sure if I like it.

[shanman]

Hmm, sounds like a long comb New is in your future. Sending pm.

[rhitee93]

Wow, quite a few of you are going down the same path at the same time as I am. I thought I would throw up a pic the old beater that I used this morning. The plating is long gone on the handle, and it is split to the point that the head is loose, but she still shaves good!

[Dtwitch19]

I love my Merkur 1904, Fatip and I have an Old type on the way.

[CoolGuy90]

Had my first shave with the old type today. The shave was really similar to the NEW short comb I have, I was expecting it to be a lot more aggressive.

[alex2363]

Open comb razors are awesome.I agree, I love them too. After a few years of not likng them, now i have the right angles down to a prefection.

[smithmts]

+1. My long comb New is the only open comb in my current DE rotation (out of five), and every time I shave with it, I am reminded of why I keep noting as my very best razor in my little spreadsheet. It consistently out-shaves both my Fat Boy and my Slim, which are pretty great razors for me. The Gillette New was simply a damn fine product.

I also get very good to great shaves from my two open comb SE razors, but that seems to verge on thread hijacking, so I'll let that go. :001_smile

This is a bit off topic, but I notice you mention a spreadsheet and am fascinated! What sort of notes do you record?

[dgilman]

This is a bit off topic, but I notice you mention a spreadsheet and am fascinated! What sort of notes do you record?

I'll PM you about it, so as not to thread-jack.

[MilesTeg]

So far my only razor is an open comb (still a newbie). I selected it because of the things I read here. I have been very pleased with the results so far.

[echotron]

Weird, that when I decided to pursue a long-tooth NEW that it has very recently become Super Hot on eBay; I know it has been constantly popular but now - WOW! :w00t:

I have a Merkur 1904 -which was my first OC and its okay. But again, I'm going after the evasive long-tooth NEW in very good condition!

[rxonmymind]

Let's not forget the open comb TTO! Senator & Sheraton. Great shaves.

[Viseguy]

I love my restored Old Type (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=197957). It and the 2011 Mühle R41 are my two favorite DE razors. The Old Type is a very effective shaver, just a notch below the R41 in aggressiveness.


http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=26678

[eastomjac]

hers my new oc just in the mail today.2 before and 2 after a quick soak in old blue.

[Dusty1]

Hey eastomjac, compare the shave feel from your Gem SE razors as opposed to your Gillette DE open comb razors. I would love to know. Thanks.

[eastomjac]

they are similar with the gem ocmm being a tad more agressive to me.i like them both and havent chosen a clear favorite as yet.much more extensive reshearch is needed.

[duokun]

I love my Gillette New that I got from Dave. I get a fantastic shave from it and am really enjoying it. I am looking forward to trying different OC razors in the future.

[CoolGuy90]

What blades have you guys been using in the Old Type?

[eastomjac]

im currently using astra sp's.

[ltjaw]

I used a Polsilver in the Gillette #77 I just bought off the BST, first shave with it this morning. It is a 2-piece open comb of the NEW generation. The shave was just splendid. I am on the lookout now for a New Improved and an Old type, to round out the Gillette OC experience (I have a few OC TTOs).

A great way to get into a Gillette open comb is through cooncatbob. My first one was a long comb NEW he had replated and attached to a beautiful new handle.

[itsmedave]

I love my Gillette New that I got from Dave. I get a fantastic shave from it and am really enjoying it. I am looking forward to trying different OC razors in the future.

Glad you like it and you did a great job cleaning it up. Open Combs are addictive. I just got a Goodfella off the BST and had a great shave with it yesterday. It's nowhere near as aggressive, but it close and comfortable.

[bluesbishop]

I never dreamed I would like the open comb....but I purchased a "NEW" and it has become one of my fav's. Matched with a Supermax Super Platinum, it has become one of the smooth shaves of my life....tried the fatboy again this morning,...pulled out the blade after 1 pass and switched it to the NEW....perfect.

[itsmedave]

I never dreamed I would like the open comb....but I purchased a "NEW" and it has become one of my fav's. Matched with a Supermax Super Platinum, it has become one of the smooth shaves of my life....tried the fatboy again this morning,...pulled out the blade after 1 pass and switched it to the NEW....perfect.

When I first started a friend drandall, let me borrow all sorts of razors. I didn't like the New at all and fell in love with the Fatboy. After I'd shaved a while, I tried an Open Comb Old Type and fell in love with them. I try other razors all the time, but I consistently reach for an open comb. They're just the most efficient razors I've found.