Suggestions for a modern open comb.

[basko]

So I'm really liking my gillette NEW. I bought it used here on the board and it's been a great shaver. My other razor is an EJ89. For my third I'd like to pick up a nice OC. Maybe a Merkur?

Any suggestions? I'm still fairly new at wetshaving so I don't know what I don't know.

[jamesspo]

Well, there's not much that's really that close to the awesomeness that is the New(s), but there are some out there:

Merkur 1904 (simlar-ish to the Gillette old type)
Merkur 11c (sort of a 34C in open comb format)
Muhle R41 (various vintages - 2011 has high blade exposure, 2010 and prior versions are milder)

Joris and Fatip are about as well, but I don't much about those... others in the brotherhood will chime in soon, I'm sure. Also coming soon is an OC from Tradere (a recent B&B vendor)

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthr...nd-Information

[tech.addict]

Subscribed to this thread as I'm also looking for a open comb (may be a vintage too). My current razors are Merkur HD and slim adjustable.

[jamesspo]

Don't forget to check out the BOTOC thread as well...lots of open comb love there (and pics).


http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthr...-the-Open-Comb

[jpakstis]

The Heavy Duty version of the Merkur OC is the 11C. It has been discontinued, but I see its still available at places like Superior Shave. The 12C is the "barberpole" handle version. Those are both two-piece versions. There is also the 15C and the 25C and the 1904 OC version, which are all three-piece. I have the 11C, and I imagine that all of the Merkur's OCs are similar in effectiveness; as an OC, they are a pretty mild shaver. The issue is that the blade actually rests on the combs, so it doesn't shave as close. But you can still get a very effective shave.

Muhle did away with their OC, the R41, and used that same model no. for their 2011 "toothcomb" model, which, while it could be considered an OC, is probably the most aggressive DE on the market. The Joris uses, for all intents and purposes, the same head as the FaTip (which, confusingly, used to be the same head as Muhle's R41). It is also a very aggressive razor, where the blade extrudes significantly out of the head. I like them, but they require a very deft touch.

When I was looking into OCs, the NEWs were pretty well regarded, so you may have found the OC you were looking for. Of course that doesn't satiate RAD!

[mongo1958]

Subscribed to this thread as I'm also looking for a open comb (may be a vintage too). My current razors are Merkur HD and slim adjustable.

Me too. I'me thinking of a Merkur Classic Style #25C

[Azarius]

This is from my own shaving experience, I am sure others will chime in.

Merkur 1904 OC - 3 piece design, similar head to a Gillette Old Type, but blades fit in much easier. Mild but effective razor, one of my favorites, so much so that I use it daily for my evening shaves. This razor is finished in nickel so it is not as white/blue as the chrome razors. Looks great next to any vintage or modern razor.

Pro's: Great Open Comb for first time users. Being a 3 piece, you can use the head on different handles to give you a different shaving experience.
Con's: Some people do not like the handle design which I find funny because similar handles on vintage razor gets praised by the same people, go figure.
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Merkur 11C HD - (Discontinued model but can easily be found on here and online) 2 piece design, so the comb part is attached to the handle. The head is identical in every way to the 1904 OC except that it is the 2 piece design.

Pro's: Great Open Comb for first time users. Excellent weight to the handle.
Con's: You are stuck with only using the handle from the razor, as it is a 2 piece design. Chrome finish on some Merkurs can be lower quality than many Asian Market Razors (this includes razors produced in India, China, Pakistan, and Thailand).
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2010 Mühle R41: Another great open comb for for first time users. The head design is identical to the 1904 OC and 11 C HD. Those that doubt it, take a look at pictures I had posted of the heads. Being a Mühle everything about the fit and finish of this razor is perfect.

Pro's: Great Open Comb for first time users. Being a 3 piece you can use the head on different handles if you want. Finish is outstanding.
Con's: The handle is on the light side. Knurling it pretty to look at, but can get a little slippery if you are a messy shaver. Not easy to find, I spent the better part of 8 weeks looking for one. If I would had know that it had the same head as the Merkur, I would have never bought it, although now since having it, I want to complete the three unique head designs sold by Mühle.
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2011 Mühle R41: Some will say that this is not an open comb, that it is a "tooth comb". Others will argue that this razor should not be used by new DE shavers. I completely disagree, in my opinion this razor helps a person improve their technique.

Pro's: Great razor, solid build, everything you would except from Mühle.
Con's: All of the hype about this razor's aggression makes people fearful of it. In my opinion I believe that plays a large factor with some of the blood baths we have seen in videos.
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Good luck in your open comb journey. If I had it to do all over again I would have only bought the 1904 OC, 2011 R41, a Bob's Razor Works Custom Handle with a New Improved Head, and a Bob's Razor Works Custom Handle with a New Long Comb.

[dpmtherrien]

The Merkur 11C is now my go to OC, but they're going fast as Merkur has discontinued that model. Its still available on Amazon, and ebay may have a few. Other than that the 1904 is my next choice.

I am however waiting for my R41 to arrive, so for now I'll reserve my choice of my #1 until I can give that one a shot.

[Gordy2]

I feel the 2010 R41 OC would be a great OC razor to start with. It's a bit aggressive but in short order you should be able to tame it. It's nowhere near as aggressive as the 2011 R41 and better looking also.

[LtCheese]

I've seen that Dave at RB&M carries the Muhle R101 OC. Is that the old R41 or is it a totally different razor?

[Azarius]

I've seen that Dave at RB&M carries the Muhle R101 OC. Is that the old R41 or is it a totally different razor?

Dave only has a few of those left, and if I recall, he is on vacation. Same head, different handle. Anyone looking for a new 2010 R101, he is one of the few places that I am aware of that still has NOS.

[dreadpirate]

I have the Merkur 11C, 1904, and Muhle R41. If you want the ultimate aggressive razor, get the Muhle R41. I think the 1904 is a bit more mild than the 11C. I love the looks of the 1904. I like the grip and the feel of the 11C best of the three.

[cluelessdude]

Can someone explain to me what exactly is an OC?

[Azarius]

Can someone explain to me what exactly is an OC?

An open comb razor is one that has "teeth" like a comb instead of a bar across the comb.

These are two of my favorite, a Merkur 1904 Open Comb, and a 1930's Gillette New Long Comb with a Common Bar Handle

[shaveclean]

what is the purpose of the comb? and where the blades go?

[OldGreyGuy]

what is the purpose of the comb? and where the blades go?

OC heads are usually 3 piece heads and are loaded pretty much the same as 3 piece heads with a safety bar, the blade is fitted and sits in the razor head the same way as it does in for example a Gillette Tech.

The purpose of the open comb is that it allows more of the lather through to be removed by the blade instead of being pushed aside or collected by the safety bar.

[basko]

Awesome suggestions all. I ended up ordering an 11C. Figured I better not wait.

Now for a bit of thread drift. My New could use some polishing. What is the best way to bring it back to a good shine? Any links or tips?

[tech.addict]

Awesome suggestions all. I ended up ordering an 11C. Figured I better not wait.

From where did you order the 11C ? Any good deals?

[jamesspo]

Well, it depends a on how bad a shape it's in. If it's got most of its plating left, and you want to just polish that up, I'd use toothpaste (just rub on with your fingers, then buff off with a cloth). If plating is nearly gone, or totally gone, you can go the route of just stripping off whatever's there, and getting down to the base metals (usually copper for the head and brass for the baseplate and handle...but it varies from model to model). Check out the BOTOC thread I mentioned for some examples of stripped down, and polished up New's.

Awesome suggestions all. I ended up ordering an 11C. Figured I better not wait.

Now for a bit of thread drift. My New could use some polishing. What is the best way to bring it back to a good shine? Any links or tips?

[basko]

tech.addict - I got it from "the superior shave" for 43.50. They had it in stock. Free shipping.

James - I did check out the BOTOC thread. Thanks for the suggestion - VERY cool thread. I'll try the toothpaste tip and see how it turns out. I'll be sure to take a "before" pic.