Open Comb

[Chisholm]

I have read that open comb razors suit folk with heavy beards and are aggressive. My experience does not reflect these statements at all! I have a long handled Merkur open comb and find it the LEAST aggressive of ALL my razors even with a feather on board. It doesn't seem to give the closest of shaves either. It seems almost impossible to get a cut with it as the blade actually lays AGAINST the tines of the razor and only cuts in the gaps between them. On the other hand a Futur used carelessly with a feather blade, especially on higher settings is akin to committing ritual suicide. It does however, give a much closer shave than the open comb. So, as I see it the open comb is an ideal beginners razor for those in a hurry. There does seem to be a correlation between the care needed in handling the razor and the closeness of shave. Dangerous beast: Futur, Close shave. Tame pussy cat: Merkur open comb, so so shave.
Cheers,
Martin. :w00t:
Gillette Superspeed, Gillette three piece, Gillette long plastic handled metal headed one piece, Merkur HD, Merkur Slant bar, Merkur Futur, Merkur long handle open comb, Lux three piece stainless steel from Poland

[thirdeye]

I would have to agree that the Merkur Open Comb is a whimpy mild open comb razor.....Try a 34' Aristocrat, Regent, Senetor or a New. Heck any Gillette Open Comb for that matter!

[Confilo]

Go for a Muehle R89

[huracan]

Although I agree with the mildness of the razor, I do see a gap between the blade and the teeth at the very edge of the blade on my HD open comb and I do manage to get an excellent shave from it. I also used to own a Barberpole open comb and the gap was there.
But I do have to say it's hard to argue because you could very well own one with the wrong top cap or some other anomaly.

[the real monkeyboy]

I agree that the often stated bloodthirstiness of open combs is way overblown. I have an old brass gillette open comb that is in the shower for when I am in a hurry and can't shave with a better razor at the sink. It gives a reasonable close shave, and has yet to try and open a vein. The worst I have ever gotten with it is the occasional tiny nick, the same as I get with any other razor when I am hurrying. The shave is not as close as you get with a slant, or any of the other really good designs, but it is passable. One pass with the grain on everything, and one against the grain on my neck, and I am good to go. I really wonder about the people that manage to cut themselves up with these things. Are they really that untalented? Or does it seem more manly if you tell people that you shave with something that supposedly will eat your face if you don't do it exactly right?

-Mb

[Milbink]

Go for a Muehle R89

+1 my personal favourite razor.

Cheers,

Adam

[talibeard]

It doesn't seem to give the closest of shaves either. It seems almost impossible to get a cut with it as the blade actually lays AGAINST the tines of the razor and only cuts in the gaps between them.

You are right about the merkur open combs not being aggressive but if the above is true your razor has not been made well since there should be a tiny gap between blade and comb and it does provide a close shave with proper technique but it might take another pass or two.
When aggressive razors are your thing you might try the (old type) Mühle R89 indeed but remember that open combs are not more or less aggressive by nature than safety bars. The one has nothing to do with the other.

[burnwood]

I vote you go for any Gillette open comb.

[joshmpdx]

the New Improved is closer to that of a slant without the blade gap on the low side of the slant :eek:

[Hoos]

I've found all of my open-comb Gillettes to be relatively mild shavers. Except the 1917 Old Standard. The 1917 requires a light, steady hand.

Remember, razor makers want to sell razors (followed by years of DE razor blades) - not have all of their customers bleeding to death from razor cuts. :001_smile

[OldGrowth]

I think open comb razors just look more wicked which is how they got their reputation. I have the same razor mentioned in the OP, and I, too, find it to be a mild shaver; although, I have no problems getting a close shave with it.

When I show my non-DE-shaving friends my "accumulation" of razors, the open combs always get some sort of comment, while the slant doesn't even get a second glance. Of course, I always point out the design of the slant so that it gets the proper respect it deserves.

[talibeard]

I think open comb razors just look more wicked which is how they got their reputation. I have the same razor mentioned in the OP, and I, too, find it to be a mild shaver; although, I have no problems getting a close shave with it.

When I show my non-DE-shaving friends my "accumulation" of razors, the open combs always get some sort of comment, while the slant doesn't even get a second glance. Of course, I always point out the design of the slant so that it gets the proper respect it deserves.

My experience too: only when I load the slant with a blade and point out the gap people get a little respect for the slant. My 25C on the other hand scares them off while it really is one of my mildest shavers. All these stories can hardly be written by people actually using them I guess...

[MaduroMan_wcp]

i perfer open combs...i think they have a high "cool factor"

[Gunnar]

I get a closer shave with my Merkur 11C open comb than with my Merkur 34C (HD).

[brothers]

One of my favorites to shave with is a NEW. It's the ugliest thing I have, zero plating left. I don't know what the deal was with all the "gold" razors back in those days. I guess the electroplating industry was probably just not up to the job. Seems like something lacking about whatever they used to give the gold color. Surely it wasn't really gold, was it? I did read somewhere that the Merkur open comb is supposed to be aggressive, and was puzzled by that because my NEW is so gentle and user friendly.

[talibeard]

I get a closer shave with my Merkur 11C open comb than with my Merkur 34C (HD).

Don't know about the HD but I also use the classic (33C) and I would agree with you that the merkur open combs provide a closer shave more easily than their safety bar razors. But calling either of them aggressive would be unjust to both IMO.

[dreadpirate]

I have a ball tech open comb and it is some what aggressive. The New on the other hand is mild. I really like the open comb ball tech but it can cause razor burn if you are too heavy handed.

[New2DEShaving_Montreal]

I find the Merkur Open comb gives a fine shave with a derby blade without any nicks or cuts if you've missed a day of shaving. Not as aggressive as they are made out to be at all.

[ucliker]

It's funny i was thinking about this same topic the other day. Well i started using my D/E's again and I realized that i had a vintage Gillette open comb that i restored and never used. So i put a cheap persona blade in it and gave it a try.(yes i know i use cheap personnas but they work for me when i need them)
My usual blade of choice is Derby, but didn't have any on hand. Well the shave was actually good bbs 3 passes no problem. My only confusion is the comb part of the razor it self is sharp at the edge and if i put any pressure at all it scrapes my face. Is this common with open combs or is it just mine.
thanks
Happy Holidays

[bishop]

The NEW I had several months back really turned me off to open-comb razors, but the Old Type I bought a few weeks ago really has me raving for them. I think it's more about the head type than the actual open comb. Blade angle is going to determine your shave experience, much more than an open comb or closed bar might.