Brotherhood of the Open Comb

[jbradley]

Need to punch square hole though. I am going to try to make some with a Dremel and cut off the tips. MyCarver did some and they looked prretty good. The problem is if they aren't even the blade won't sit evenly in the head.

You can actually purchase a square punch. And the old Gillette blades were much thicker also, but we use modern blades in the Old Types. They work, some people shim them up with trimmed blades.

[bluesbishop]

You can actually purchase a square punch. And the old Gillette blades were much thicker also, but we use modern blades in the Old Types. They work, some people shim them up with trimmed blades.

+1...i had mention this earlier....but some can be found pretty cheap. this one is a bit more, but nice: http://www.amazon.com/Square-Hole-Pu.../dp/B003JIMQIY

This one is cheap: http://www.artistsupplysource.com/home.php?cat=3609

[bluesbishop]

ras120 has created a excellent photo album on google plus that he shared with the BOTOC....make sure you check out our google + page to see these beautiful razors....he truly has one of the most impressive and beautiful collection of Vintage open combs I have ever seen.

https://plus.google.com/b/1043023479...54856087/posts

I've included a preview of two of his razors below.....






For these and many more make sure you check out his whole album!!!!

[whavens]

Man I need to get away from this thread. I can feel these razors trying to work their way into my shave den. Must resist. Too many nice razors.

[bluesbishop]

Man I need to get away from this thread. I can feel these razors trying to work their way into my shave den. Must resist. Too many nice razors.

Resistance is futile!

[Azarius]

ras120 has created a excellent photo album on google plus that he shared with the BOTOC....make sure you check out our google + page to see these beautiful razors....he truly has one of the most impressive and beautiful collection of Vintage open combs I have ever seen.

https://plus.google.com/b/1043023479...54856087/posts

I've included a preview of two of his razors below.....

For these and many more make sure you check out his whole album!!!!

That is an impressive collection, one of the nicest that I have seen. Seen a few that I would love to add as part of the regular rotation, while others, as much that I would want to shave with, I would not want too in fear of destroying their collectibility.

[VladTepes]

Razors are meant for shaving.
If you aren't going to shave with it, don't buy it.

Or go back to cartridge shaving ! Shame on you ! LOL

[ras120]

Seen a few that I would love to add as part of the regular rotation, while others, as much that I would want to shave with, I would not want too in fear of destroying their collectibility.

Unfortunately, many of those rarely see action for the reason you state. They spend their lives in a glass case and come out only occasionally for a baking soda bath to knock off any tarnish build up.

[bluesbishop]

Unfortunately, many of those rarely see action for the reason you state. They spend their lives in a glass case and come out only occasionally for a baking soda bath to knock off any tarnish build up.

Hmmm.....I would use them...but I'm not a collector....but I also play guitar and have know many guys that buy a "limited edition" this or that and never play them....I say use them!!...If you used each one just one day a week, I don't think there would be any harm..... clean it after the shave and put it up to the next time..(about a year!)and you have just about enough OC to cover the year!!!

Now if you have NOS items never been opened, to me that is a different issue...

[ras120]

My concern is having an "oopsy" moment and dropping one and bending the teeth.

I agree that they were meant to be used, and it was my intention to have a "usable collection", but the reality is simply that some of them can't be easily (if at all) replaced.

[Topgumby]

That's my rationale for sticking to user grade razors. They are meant to be used.

The real reason is that I can't afford the big boy collector toys, but I tell myself I'm a shaver, not a museum curator, and console myself with that thought.

I admire those guys who are really preserving a part of history for the future. I'm glad somebody is doing it.

[jbradley]

That's my rationale for sticking to user grade razors. They are meant to be used.

The real reason is that I can't afford the big boy collector toys, but I tell myself I'm a shaver, not a museum curator, and console myself with that thought.

Sounds like you're in my head! I say "I don't want it if I can't use it!" What I mean is "Dang I wish I could afford that!" But I'd use it. I would have to. If I had the first Double Ring ever made, I'd use it. At least once.

[Snargle]

I've probably got 25 razors that I consider part of my "collection" (and a box full of duplicates that'll eventually be sold, PIFed, or used as trade bait) and every one of them has been used at least once. At least 10 are in regular rotation. Like Topgumby said, "I'm a shaver, not a museum curator."

[ras120]

"I'm a shaver, not a museum curator."

I can be both, can't I?

[Azarius]

Hmmm.....I would use them...but I'm not a collector....but I also play guitar and have know many guys that buy a "limited edition" this or that and never play them....I say use them!!...If you used each one just one day a week, I don't think there would be any harm..... clean it after the shave and put it up to the next time..(about a year!)and you have just about enough OC to cover the year!!!

Now if you have NOS items never been opened, to me that is a different issue...

This is my personal opinion. Although I like to shave with all of my razors, if I was to get my hands on a vintage razor that is mint in it's original case, no way would I shave with it.

I think of them as the same way I think of a vintage minted coin. They are great to collect and have cased, they offer great conversation, but the minute you start handling them, you start decreasing their value.

I have seen some serious collectors on this site, but I have never seen such a nice catalog of near mint open combs in my life. The ones that I would want to shave with, I would find replates, or decent user grades. But the true collector grade ones would sit in a curio cabinet, or glass cased wall unit either in my living room, or bedroom which had been converted to a shave den.

Mind you, I like to shave with all of my razors, but on the flip side, I do not have thousands of dollars tied up into museum quality pieces.

I tip my hat to collectors like Richard who are preserving these for future generations.

[bluesbishop]

I can be both, can't I?

Absolutely Brother!

I have seen some serious collectors on this site, but I have never seen such a nice catalog of near mint open combs in my life.

I tip my hat to collectors like Richard who are preserving these for future generations.

+1000!!!

ras120 must have spent alot of time...and $$$$$ acquiring such a beautiful collection of open comb razors.....and like my brother stated, one of the most impressive collections I've ever seen.

I hope that ras isn't take any of the " I would shave with those" comments personally.....for me....simply having such a beautiful collection I would want to shave with them! But I also understand the value and preservation of such a fine collection...

I appreciate that he has shared his collection with us! Not only are that great pictures, but the cataloging, and detailing of each razor gives us all a great resource.

Thank you ras120 for sharing your beautiful collection with us!!!!!!!!

[vrgelinas]

Absolutely Brother!



+1000!!!

ras120 must have spent alot of time...and $$$$$ acquiring such a beautiful collection of open comb razors.....and like my brother stated, one of the most impressive collections I've ever seen.

I hope that ras isn't take any of the " I would shave with those" comments personally.....for me....simply having such a beautiful collection I would want to shave with them! But I also understand the value and preservation of such a fine collection...

I appreciate that he has shared his collection with us! Not only are that great pictures, but the cataloging, and detailing of each razor gives us all a great resource.

Thank you ras120 for sharing your beautiful collection with us!!!!!!!!

I second that. It's a gorgeous collection that makes me wonder whether I should keep collecting fountain pens or go to razors. Both are equally classy and expensive, and get dirty looks from SWMBO.

[bluesbishop]

ras120 photos and post have brought up I think a interesting discussion. ...

What is collecting?

Hmmm...the dictionary has several meaning for collect, but the one most of us refer to is:

Verb:Bring or gather together (things, typically when scattered or widespread).

It may be argued that only those that purchase mint razors are collectors, but I believe that collectors are dividing basically into two camps. One, purchases products ( be it razors, guitars, comic books, coins, etc) simply to use and enjoy, and see's the product as a consumable product.

I think many in this camp don't see themselves as collectors. For example, one of our senior members here buys alot of serious shave gear, but is always the first to point out he is not a collector. My question is why? because you use it? Most of us that suffer from RAD are collectors my friends, we just happen to collect more user grade razors instead of mint or NOS razors.

The second camp of collectors makes purchases based upon many factors...not only the function of the product...but it's aesthetic beauty, it's historical significance, and possibly the economics of it...the future return on investment that may be possible. This type of collector not only see's the function, but the art in what they collect. I had a friend, Roland, that back in HS was always looking for mint #1 issues or low number issues of his favorite marvel comics. When he found them, they were placed in thick Mylar protective jackets and left untouched...I've been with him to comic-cons and have witnessed the difference in prices between user grade and mint....and the difference is prices can be huge!!

I have a large collection of books, and almost all are hard cover, and if I can find them, first additions. A few years ago I sold a book that I had purchased for $20 and sold it for $718.00 The publisher had one run, limited supply and the material covered in the book was highly sought after in a specific community . I was able to preserve and pass on a rare book, and make a nice profit.

B&B is a perfect example of how both groups of collectors meet. For both groups it can have a social benefits...we have a common love of razors, our razors gave us opportunity for interactions with others and friendships can result due to a shared common interest. We spend hours on the forum...why? there is something always new to learn or to share.

As a group, society owes a great deal of gratitude to collectors, as they preserve and maintain a large part of history for us.
If you ever been to a vintage air show, a car show or museum, marveled at the beauty of a Van Gough, you can thank a collector of preserving and cherishing something many of us would not have...

[jbradley]

ras120 photos and post have brought up I think a interesting discussion. ...

What is collecting?

Hmmm...the dictionary has several meaning for collect, but the one most of us refer to is:

Verb:Bring or gather together (things, typically when scattered or widespread).

It may be argued that only those that purchase mint razors are collectors, but I believe that collectors are dividing basically into two camps. One, purchases products ( be it razors, guitars, comic books, coins, etc) simply to use and enjoy, and see's the product as a consumable product.

I think many in this camp don't see themselves as collectors. For example, one of our senior members here buys alot of serious shave gear, but is always the first to point out he is not a collector. My question is why? because you use it? Most of us that suffer from RAD are collectors my friends, we just happen to collect more user grade razors instead of mint or NOS razors.

The second camp of collectors makes purchases based upon many factors...not only the function of the product...but it's aesthetic beauty, it's historical significance, and possibly the economics of it...the future return on investment that may be possible. This type of collector not only see's the function, but the art in what they collect. I had a friend, Roland, that back in HS was always looking for mint #1 issues or low number issues of his favorite marvel comics. When he found them, they were placed in thick Mylar protective jackets and left untouched...I've been with him to comic-cons and have witnessed the difference in prices between user grade and mint....and the difference is prices can be huge!!

I have a large collection of books, and almost all are hard cover, and if I can find them, first additions. A few years ago I sold a book that I had purchased for $20 and sold it for $718.00 The publisher had one run, limited supply and the material covered in the book was highly sought after in a specific community . I was able to preserve and pass on a rare book, and make a nice profit.

B&B is a perfect example of how both groups of collectors meet. For both groups it can have a social benefits...we have a common love of razors, our razors gave us opportunity for interactions with others and friendships can result due to a shared common interest. We spend hours on the forum...why? there is something always new to learn or to share.

As a group, society owes a great deal of gratitude to collectors, as they preserve and maintain a large part of history for us.
If you ever been to a vintage air show, a car show or museum, marveled at the beauty of a Van Gough, you can thank a collector of preserving and cherishing something many of us would not have...

Wonderfully put! Just think, a collector placed the Dead Sea Scrolls in a jar and placed them there to preserve them for us. Think of the loss to society if similar actions with multiple items hadn't happened over the centuries past!

[bluesbishop]

Wonderfully put! Just think, a collector placed the Dead Sea Scrolls in a jar and placed them there to preserve them for us. Think of the loss to society if similar actions with multiple items hadn't happened over the centuries past!

+1!! Most of my books are on Religion. And I agree. The Nag Hammadi I believe is one of the greatest religious finds in our history. The Gospel off Thomas for example pre-dates any of the existing Gospels by at least 50 years, and gives use a deep insight to one many of the early Christians believed before the council of Nicea and the canonization of the bible.