What is the difference between Gillette New - LC or SC head

**turtle** · 04-20-2012, 12:28 PM

A rhetorical question as I am going to tell you what I found out today when I used them BOTH for the same shave.

I had a B&B member ask me what was the difference between the long comb and short comb Gillette heads was. Even though I own both I have never given it much thought as they are both very nice razors.

SO.... Today I shaved with a long and short comb New head razor at the same time. Both razors are Bob's Razor Works customs and both have similar handles (similar size and weight).

Blade: I was asked to use the Astra Superior Platinum blade. It is a nice blade so I was more than happy to break open two new SP blades for this shave off.

I used Shave Library Hemingway soap and my Trumper's branded Simpsons H6 brush and face lathered (yes you can face lather with a monster brush if it has plenty of backbone and the Harvard H6 has more than enough of everything to spare)

I shaved one side of my face with one razor and the other side of my face with the other razor keeping each side of my face exclusive to one type of New head.

I did my typical 4 pass uber close shave with clean up.

Both type of razor performed exceptionally well. Neither one misbehaved. No weepers, nicks, cuts, scratches, razor burn... also NO whiskers left at the end of the shave.

Both sides of my face are BBS and happy.

I suppose I am not the one to test things as I can get a perfect shave using a sharp rock it seems.

If a gun were held to my head I would have to say that the New Long Comb has a little more bite to it then the New Short Comb but the difference might not be measurable only perceived.

So there you have it. Another draw. Anyone considering either of these razors could just flip a coin to make the decision. They are both nice well made heads. Pick the one that looks the most attractive to you and enjoy it!

**jbradley** · 04-20-2012, 12:33 PM

That's funny Turtle, to me it feels just the opposite. The SC seems a little harsher, the LC a little gentler. But as you said, not enough to really notice, and it could be the difference in blades or maybe I used 10 stokes with the brush on one side and 15 on the other. Either one will give an excellent shave. Of course, YMMV!

**incucrash** · 04-20-2012, 12:36 PM

Love SC

LC and me did not get along, hence my baby in that picture :)

**elderberry99** · 04-20-2012, 12:38 PM

Very nice Turtle, thank you.
oh and by the way, you were right!

**woodfluter** · 04-20-2012, 01:08 PM

Turtle, you do experiments just like I do. Way to go!

My take is that the LC is just a little more unforgiving of sloppiness. Both kinds are excellent.

For reasons undetermined at this point, when using a low-angle shaving technique, I found that the SC plus a Feather blade is an almost magical combination. Very close, effective, safe, effortless. I have to be a little more careful with the LC.

**NexlevMM** · 04-20-2012, 05:26 PM

Ha Thanks Turtle! I just bought a LC and was curious what the difference really was. This helped a lot.

**bluesbishop** · 04-20-2012, 05:51 PM

I love them both....for me...I slightly prefer the SC as I feel the shave angle is better for me, but I would be happy with either one. Nice job Turtle!!!

**cxg231** · 04-20-2012, 06:50 PM

Great job Turtle! I agree with you, I find the LC to be a bit more aggressive!

**elderberry99** · 04-20-2012, 06:54 PM

I need to make the decision as to which one LC or SC to buy first. I was considering Bob's Bull Mastiff Deluxe handle with the new head short comb to get me started.
Frank

**kpg102** · 04-20-2012, 07:42 PM

Nice experiment, thanks for sharing. I have both SC and LC bar handles, and they both are excellent tools. I find that the optimal angle is easier to locate with the SC. And I love the SC+Feather combo. It's like shaving with a Tech, smooth and easy.

**celestino** · 04-20-2012, 10:19 PM

Originally Posted by jbradley

That's funny Turtle, to me it feels just the opposite. The SC seems a little harsher, the LC a little gentler. But as you said, not enough to really notice, and it could be the difference in blades or maybe I used 10 stokes with the brush on one side and 15 on the other. Either one will give an excellent shave. Of course, YMMV!

+1 Harsher, still, is the Gillette old type!

**franz** · 04-20-2012, 10:35 PM

That's a lovely H6, too.

**speas** · 04-21-2012, 11:52 AM

I use both regularly and get good shaves from either. I find that the short comb encourages me to use a shallower angle (which seems to work better) as I can feel the teeth more.

I would be interested to know the history of the short comb. Was it sold alongside the long or were each exclusive during their period? I've not seen ads for the SC, only the LC, not that they dont exist. I know that the Deluxe was sold alongside the LC as a higher end model. Perhaps the SC was dropped as the base plate seems like it could be more complicated to machine.

**turtle** · 04-21-2012, 12:28 PM

Originally Posted by franz

That's a lovely H6, too.

It is one that I truly enjoy using.

A B&B member got it for me from an antique store and I will forever be grateful to them for this brush

**OldGreyGuy** · 04-21-2012, 09:37 PM

Great post Turtle, love the BRW custom razors, you certainly have a couple of nice looking razors there.

**Tillerman7** · 08-01-2012, 07:08 PM

Originally Posted by turtle

A rhetorical question as I am going to tell you what I found out today when I used them BOTH for the same shave.

I had a B&B member ask me what was the difference between the long comb and short comb Gillette heads was. Even though I own both I have never given it much thought as they are both very nice razors.

SO.... Today I shaved with a long and short comb New head razor at the same time. Both razors are Bob's Razor Works customs and both have similar handles (similar size and weight).

Blade: I was asked to use the Astra Superior Platinum blade. It is a nice blade so I was more than happy to break open two new SP blades for this shave off.

I used Shave Library Hemingway soap and my Trumper's branded Simpsons H6 brush and face lathered (yes you can face lather with a monster brush if it has plenty of backbone and the Harvard H6 has more than enough of everything to spare)

I shaved one side of my face with one razor and the other side of my face with the other razor keeping each side of my face exclusive to one type of New head.

I did my typical 4 pass uber close shave with clean up.

Both type of razor performed exceptionally well. Neither one misbehaved. No weepers, nicks, cuts, scratches, razor burn... also NO whiskers left at the end of the shave.

Both sides of my face are BBS and happy.

I suppose I am not the one to test things as I can get a perfect shave using a sharp rock it seems.

If a gun were held to my head I would have to say that the New Long Comb has a little more bite to it then the New Short Comb but the difference might not be measurable only perceived.

So there you have it. Another draw. Anyone considering either of these razors could just flip a coin to make the decision. They are both nice well made heads. Pick the one that looks the most attractive to you and enjoy it!

Thanks for the review!