I read somewhere that an open tooth comb razor is best for those with a heavy beard and a straight cut razor is best for those with a 'normal' beard. Can anyone explain this a bit more? I use a Merkur HD but I do have a heavy beard and the HD is straight cut razor (no teeth).
open tooth comb vs. straight cut
- Thread starter blade08
- Start date
If you only shave every few days, the open comb will most likely be better.
I would suggest that this all depends on the razor you want. A Gillette NEW is open comb, yet it shaves very smoothly for normal beards too. I use one for my everyday shaves, and I do not really have a heavy beard at all. However, I have heard that the open comb Merkur razors are quite aggressive.
Agreed here. I find that of all the Gillette open comb razors I've tried (Big Fellow, Bostonian, Tuckaway, NEW, and pre-war Aristocrat) the NEW is the most forgiving of the bunch. They all give incredibly close shaves, but I have to really watch my technique with the Bostonian, and the Tuckaway especially! The Tuckaway is a mean little razor if you're careless, but a gem if you're careful.
I keep going back to a '40s USA Aristocrat as my favorite daily shaver (not an open comb), with the NEW and Big Fellow tied for second. Either the NEW or Big Fellow can get a closer shave than the Aristocrat stroke for stroke, but I have to be on my game a little more.
If I were going to recommend an open-comb to anybody, it would be the NEW. Big Fellows are just plain cool, but terribly expensive because of their relative rarity, especially boxed. For pure price/performance, a fat-handled gold NEW is probably the best Gillette there is. Mine cost $5, almost unreal for how good it really is, and how available it is. Millions were made.
I would have to agree as well. The Gillette New is a fantastic open comb razor for every day shaving. I think the New Improved series including the Bostonian are a little more agressie but still offer a close comfortable shave but as mentioned, you need to watch yourself a little closer...no pressure...
I also shave with a Senator which is an open combed TTO, it's the best of both worlds....
I also shave with a Senator which is an open combed TTO, it's the best of both worlds....
Nice summary on Gillette open combs
This is this most succinct and useful post I've read in a long while.
I have a "Gentleman Otto" open-comb razor with a handle the diameter of a pencil (or maybe even slightly smaller). I got one of the best shaves I've had in weeks with it today, using Musgo Real and a Derby. Very smooth and close, and I've had issues with it in the past. Looks likes it's time to try some more open combs.
I just got back from Florida where I was using my Merkur travel razor with an open comb exclusively for about a month. I was getting great shaves! However, when I got back home I went back to my Slant with a safety bar. What a difference! An even closer shave and far more comfortable! The travel razor will be relagated to what it was designed for. I'll use it for no more than a few weeks at a time and that's it. Give me my Slant anyday!
FWIW I also can't get a fabulous shave with an open comb razor, but my Slant, or Fatboy dialed pretty wide open shave unbelievably close. Open combs are just not my dish.
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