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.

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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.

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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

Kiruiz,

The Muhle R41 is an aggressive and unforgiving razor. I have it and occasionally use it. These days I shave almost exclusively with the open combs — Joris, FaTip and iKon OSS. I must say, I find the R41 a mean and harsh razor. Not fun at all. If you want a superb open comb, go with the FaTip. The Joris and FaTip have similar shave heads, although that on the Joris has a far superior finish. The dual personality iKon OSS is milder than the two, and a good razor. Muhle R41? Nah, not one of my preferred.

Not sure but IMHO, the bar guard was cheaper to make and finish than the open comb ..... at least it seems to me that it would be. If you start buying old open comb DEs one of the first things you'll learn to look out for is bent teeth. Guys drop them and the teeth on the ends get bent. Sometimes they can be straightened but they do break off if you aren't real careful .... and lucky. The very early open comb Gillettes had thin teeth all the way across. As time went on they beefed up the teeth on the ends and finally all of them all the way across. As far as shaving with them. I don't have a particularly tough beard and I've got some of both styles and like them equally well.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Not sure but IMHO, the bar guard was cheaper to make and finish than the open comb ..... at least it seems to me that it would be. If you start buying old open comb DEs one of the first things you'll learn to look out for is bent teeth. Guys drop them and the teeth on the ends get bent. Sometimes they can be straightened but they do break off if you aren't real careful .... and lucky. The very early open comb Gillettes had thin teeth all the way across. As time went on they beefed up the teeth on the ends and finally all of them all the way across. As far as shaving with them. I don't have a particularly tough beard and I've got some of both styles and like them equally well.

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I am with Jimmy - I haven't a particularly tough beard either and I too had both styles. But I had better luck with my closed bar than my open. I think I got to know my closed bar better and hence the better shaves.

I will say this, blades made more of a dif for me than anything - either way, you are going to love wet shaving! Welcome to the fold. "You are going to like the way you look."

Well, I shave with either a 3 inch disposable straight razor (Shavette) or a (probably 1960's) DE Gillette which I bought (basically brand new) at a yard sale for one dollar. I've shaved like this for years, so I am no stranger to this. Basically I'm upping my game a bit. I'm not opposed to the slant bar. In fact, it will be my second purchase. With our new home addition and new baby, money is not as frivolous as it once was, so I do not want to spend money on a razor set up, and be dissatisfied, and needing to buy another one immediately afterward.

This may same like a silly question, but, what exactly is meant by "agressive"? My assumption is that it just has a lot of razor exposed, so you could cut through a weeks growth very easily, or mow your lawn with it. Also, I am concerned that an open tooth razor will snag hairs, if your beard is kind of long. Generally if I get a bit long, I will knock it down with my beard trimmer, than shave it smooth, which makes me feel like a an open tooth is unnecessary. Also I feel like a slant bar will slice through longer heavy growth without needing to knock anything back electrically, thereby not needing an open toothed razor as well. Though it may just be neat to have?

The newest thing for me will be using a bowl, brush and quality cream. Maybe I'll even slap my face with some warm witch hazel.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Obie

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

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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...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Stubbleduct

This may same like a silly question, but, what exactly is meant by "agressive"? My assumption is that it just has a lot of razor exposed, so you could cut through a weeks growth very easily, or mow your lawn with it. Also, I am concerned that an open tooth razor will snag hairs, if your beard is kind of long. Generally if I get a bit long, I will knock it down with my beard trimmer, than shave it smooth, which makes me feel like a an open tooth is unnecessary. Also I feel like a slant bar will slice through longer heavy growth without needing to knock anything back electrically, thereby not needing an open toothed razor as well. Though it may just be neat to have?

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The level of aggression is determined by amount of blade exposed and the angle of the blade itself. An aggressive razor requires a light touch and typically requires a low angle; poor technique is punished with razor burn and blood.

IME there is no need to trim down your beard before using a DE if shaving on a semi regular basis. I've shaved off 5 days of growth with no issues at all (the slant does this very well ;)), you just have to rinse the razor a little more.