Open comb VS bar

Hey guys I am new to DE shaving and purchased an old gillette open comb razor for the early 1900s see the link below. After I purchased it I read somewhere that the older style open combs including the merkur remakes are no good with modern blades because they are much thinner and the edge sits too close to the comb and the gillette "News" made in the 20s were made much better for modern style blades. Does anybody have any opinion or has ever heard of this or have any advice for a newbie.


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I have read that too. In my actual experience with Gillette double rings and old types they work fine with current production blades. No shims or any other modification required.

Hello, mmr611: I agree with Jimmy that current production blades work quite well with vintage razors — open comb or safety bar. You need not change anything on your razor.

Thanks guys I didnt think so, I figured I would get the straight answer on here. Do you have any recommendations for brands of blades.

A blade sampler pack is your best bet. Feather are the sharpest IME while Derby are mild. Some guys like one brand over another, that is why a sampler pack is a good idea. I haven't shaved DE in a couple of years so I don't know what the best is now. When I went to straights exclusively Gillette Swedes were the best but I don't think they make them anymore.

mmr611,
+1 on what Jimmy says about a sample pack of blades. You never know what combo of razor and blade will work best on your face. I have tried Feather, Gillette 7-O-Clock yellow, Astra, Derby, Shark, and CVS brand. I listed them in my order of preference. I have used them in a Gillette Slim Adjustable and half a blade in a Shavette

Can you guys tell me what the difference between the slant bar and regular bar is

The 'slant head' used to be known as the 'twisted head' by collectors because that is what it is. The purpose, as I understand it, is to provide a 'guillotine stroke' when using the razor in the normal manner. I have a large collection of various slants. The only one that has survived over the years is the Merkur and it is my favorite DE. The slant is said to be aggressive by some. I find the Merkur slant to be a perfect balance in aggressiveness as opposed to mildness. Many of the other slants, such as the Apollo, are mild IME.

Thanks so as a newbie I should stick with the regular bar and graduate to the slant after

Ive got a pre-serial number gillette that I use modern blades in with no problems.

I've used a very early model Gillette like the one pictured, and I wouldn't suggest it as a first razor. I found them to be very aggressive and unforgiving. This is a YMMV type of situation, but I'd suggest trying a super speed or a slim adjustable, those are very forgiving razors.
I'd also give a +1 to the blade sampler pack. When going through the sampler pack, try to stick with the same soap/cream for each blade. That will help eliminate one variable when trying to narrow down what blade you like.
Also just for fun if you don't like a blade, don't give up on it completely, Make a note of what razor you tried it in and move on to the next blade. There are several blades for me that work well in some razors and not others. A feather is a good example, they only seem to work well for me in a slant, but in a regular Merkur they leave horrid razor burn and weepers.

The main thing is to enjoy the journey..

thanks guys I got the razors in the mail yesterday and tried the Merkur barber pole with an Astra blade no cuts no irritation definitely could have been smoother but from what I have read you dont get a perfect shave with one pass and I didnt expect to get a perfect shave my first time out either. I just ordered a Fat boy on Ebay so I cant wait to try that out once I get a little more experience.

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Originally Posted by mmr611

I tried the Merkur barber pole with an Astra blade no cuts no irritation definitely could have been smoother but from what I have read you dont get a perfect shave with one pass....

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Don't give up yet. The Astra/Barber Pole combo is a good one, especially for my face. It will deliver very smooth shaves with a bit of experience under your belt.

In fact I haven't found many blades that don't like my Merkur 38C. It's a very blade-friendly razor, which is why I regularly recommend them to newbies.

Have Fun,

Ryan