Can you tell I 'm new to this DE shaving! Thanks for any information. Tahitian
What is the difference between a razor 'comb/bar'
- Thread starter Tahitian
- Start date
Here is an open comb razor
And here is a solid bar guard razor!
Welcome to the B&B!
Just to pitch a curveball -
A Dual Comb Razor - Open Comb on one side, Scalloped Safety Bar (Merkur-style) on the other
A Dual Comb Razor - Open Comb on one side, Scalloped Safety Bar (Merkur-style) on the other
Don't be put off by the slightly fierce appearance of open comb razors. Some are comparatively mild and comfortable shavers, and not at all difficult to use.
You can use Gillette's history as a series of milestones. The open comb design of the earliest Gillettes was consistent with many products that were introduced as alternatives to the straight razor. Those products often had combs of some sort. The comb allowed guiding the stubble, channeling lather, and usually did some additional duty as a guard. Gillette kept the open comb design through the New. Shaving practices changed in the ensuing decades. Facial hair growth, like long street dresses, became associated with harboring TB bacteria. Both fell out of favor. WW1 standards of uniform and appearance reinforced regular shaving. By the introduction of the Tech in 1939, daily shaving of shorter growth was the norm. A solid-bar design had an appearance of better safety and a milder shave. With possible rare exceptions, Gillette USA did not return to the open comb design after the Tech. The open-comb New was out of production shortly after WW2.
My open comb vintage Gillettes are my favorites.
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