Thread: DE design/function help.

Please forgive me for my ignorance, but is there a difference between open comb and teeth? I just keep seeing both, along with toothless ones.

Between these two, which is better for starting?

Merkur Classic Safety Razor

Gillette Replica Razor

It kinda looks like the first one has no teeth, just a funny design.

You're right...The first is just a design on the straight bar. I'd go with the Merkur Classic straight bar (your first choice) or a Merkur HD (Heavy Duty) straight bar DE razor.

The second razor is an open tooth comb DE razor.

To get technical, and either confuse or enlighten, there are actually three types of guard bars -- open comb, straight bar, and closed comb. As you can see, the closed comb has deep ridges in the guard bar vs. the very small ones seen on the straight bar. In essence, a closed comb guard is a combination of a open comb and straight bar, but whether it shaves any differently than the straight bar is completely YMMV.

By the way, I would not get a Parker as a beginner razor because they are pretty aggressive shavers. Get a Merkur closed comb model if you want new, or a Gillette Super Speed if you are interested in used.

how does this one rate?

Weishi Safety Razor

Weishi razors have a reputation for being very mild shavers indeed, considerably less aggressive than a Superspeed. A lot of people have trouble finding an angle of attack which actually cuts. This doesn't mean that they're badly made though, apparently the quality is pretty high, and there's some really cool ones in the range if you can find them.

From what I hear, for a new first razor Merkur, Mühle and Edwin Jagger are the makers to look at as the quality is consistently good. Apparently there are some rogue Parkers out there with twisted safety bars and uneven blade gaps, and the Weishi is a bit of an oddball. This is all anecdotal though, I'm a confirmed vintage Gillette fan, and if you're considering going that way, my recommendation would be a 40s or 50s Superspeed or Rocket. Both are TTOs and offer excellent quality and a middle of the road shave. A Fatboy or Slim adjustable would also do nicely: start on a lowish setting with these, maybe 3, and avoid any examples with an uneven blade gap.

Great picture & explanation Rick.

I ended up buying this one. Thanks for the help. I'll keep you posted.

Merkur Classic Safety Razor

Originally Posted by sensei_kyle

Great picture & explanation Rick.

I agree...Thanks a lot Rick.

Originally Posted by sensei_kyle

Great picture & explanation Rick.

Originally Posted by jhenry

I agree...Thanks a lot Rick.

I'm here to help if I can.