Ball end open comb gillette + derby = win

[v.bow]

I swear Derbys extras were no good for me.... At least in my progress. I had one extra blade sample n put it in my gillette open comb and it worked so good. Now I wanna try derby in my red tip n slim :)

Lesson learned! Blades in one razor May act differently in another razor

[Im_leary]

I found the same combination to work very well for me. Other combinations I have found to work exceptionally well are:

1. Feather HI-STAINLESS with either the Gillette adjustable fat or slim boys
2. DERBY EXTRA in a Merkur 38C
3. MERKUR SUPER in a 1947 vintage Super Speed
4. Gillette 7 O'clock in a Merkur Progress

[woodfluter]

Is that a ball-end NEW or a ball-end 102 (old type)?

Glad you found a sweet-spot combination.
One I recently discovered is Feather in a Gillette short-comb NEW.

The Feather works fine in the long-comb version, but the short-comb appears to give equally close shaves while demanding slightly less care about pressure. So it's a tad faster and poses a bit less chance of irritation.

Over the past week, I found the Feather in an old-type open comb required the most attention and most chance of burn. So much for the blade-gap = aggressiveness theory! Will try in other examples to confirm.

Astras seem to work very well with NEWs and old-type alike, and seem to me a bit more effective than a Derby - but less demanding than the Feather. In case you want to explore farther in that direction.

- Bill

[v.bow]

oo i have a sample pack of astras left too. i should try it


how do i tel the difference from a new and 102?

[americanarmsdealer]

Top set of pics is an Old Type (or 102), and the bottom pics are of a New. Hope that helps!

[v.bow]

i guess i got an old type. Its silver in colour and it came in a little green gillette box.

[Im_leary]

Very impressive! Have any of these been used? They look to be factory new.

Top set of pics is an Old Type (or 102), and the bottom pics are of a New. Hope that helps!

[americanarmsdealer]

Oh, neither of those is mine. I wish! Those pics are from the resident razor guru's website at mr-razor.com

[ChristopherH10]

What is the metal composition on the Old Type Ball-End handles ... from the Khaki sets?