Thread: Closed Bar/Open Comb

Tired of my replaceable straight razor, my old Gillette TTO and can of foaming goo. I'm going to buy a modern Safety Razor, Brush and Cream.
My only real questions were, after deciding to NOT get a Slant Bar, is to go Closed Bar or Open Comb. Whats the difference? My Gillette is a Closed Bar
so I know what I'm getting there. What about these Open Combed razors? Seems to me like the would just snag the hair. Which is the closest, smoothest
shave without going Slant Bar? My gut tells me to stick with a Closed Bar, even though I really want to get the Slant Bar. (I will get one eventually, but
I just need to modernize my set right now, and need to make a correct, useful purchase.) So whats the point of these Open Combed/Toothed razors?

Thanks

Stubbleduct....


Pretty positive that I'm buying the Muhle R89 Grande. Just wanted to get some opinions in combed razors.

Open comb DE razors are recommended for heavy coarse beards.

Stubbleduct,
The Muhle R89 is a good choice. The razor is well made and delivers a silky shave. My friend welshwizard is correct: the open comb is better suited for the heavier beards. Also, in some cases, these open comb razors are more aggressive than the closed and, therefore, I don't recommend them for new DE shavers. These days I shave strictly with the open comb — Joris, FaTip, Muhle R41, all aggressive razors. There are some old Gillettes not as aggressive as these. Eventually, though, an open comb will be worth the try for the experience. In that case, you can start with one of the Merkur open comb razors, which I consider the mildest in the category and good starters.

Why are you opposed to slant bar razors? I abolutely love my Merkur 37C, which I bought from a member here (thanks celestino!). It delivers outstanding shaves, and I've yet to experience any blood or irritation when using it. All the fears and warnings I read before trying it were, IMO, completely unfounded.

Don't discount the slant - highly recommended.

Originally Posted by Ryan82

Why are you opposed to slant bar razors? I abolutely love my Merkur 37C, which I bought from a member here (thanks celestino!). It delivers outstanding shaves, and I've yet to experience any blood or irritation when using it. All the fears and warnings I read before trying it were, IMO, completely unfounded.

Don't discount the slant - highly recommended.

I agree with Ryan82. The Slant isn't a serpent to be avoided. I find it's way less irritation than a normal DE unless I have a bad (for me) blade and even then it's not any worse than a regular DE.

Jer

Guys:

Does any one have any review on the R41 open comb from Muhle? I been hearing the fact that is agressive but just not that, the main issue is that it created a lot of irritation?

Waiting for reviews.

thanks
K

Originally Posted by Obie

...Stubbleduct,
The Muhle R89 is a good choice. The razor is well made and delivers a silky shave...

Oh, I agree! Very silky. With Astra blades or Gillette 7 o'clock blades it's amazing. You'' get a VERY nice shave with one of these, and without any fear of nicks; but still a close smooth shave.

A bowl, brush and good quality cream or soap is a whole new world. I like a thinner lather for use with my DE...