Merkur comb..open? or no.

[C utz]

I'm looking at these Merkur travel razors, and I am not sure what the difference between the 'open comb' and the 'straight guard' have and what each would have on shaving....

Anyone know?!

Thank!!
C utz

[fritz]

I'm looking at these Merkur travel razors, and I am not sure what the difference between the 'open comb' and the 'straight guard' have and what each would have on shaving....

Anyone know?!

Thank!!
C utz
See this thread, at TOP, and the post linked to at TOOP:
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=20900&highlight=open+comb

[DragonBoy]

An open comb would be a great vacation razor if you feel that you not gonna shave everyday.. Or it would be great anyway.. :cool:

I have and use a Merkur 1904 OC that I truly enjoy using.. Theyre cool razors that gives a very nice shave.. Specially if you put washers between the blade and the end-piece.. Kinda replicates the Gillette NEW..

Fire away and get one.. You can newer own too many razors :D

[C utz]

Thanks!

I shave with a straight razor, so some of these DE features escape me. I'm looking at them and want that blade on the skin, not with a bar or comb in front...so I had to ask. Since I figure I should have a travel razor that is not a straight razor (for over seas travels/airplane trips that do not allow straight razors as cary-ons), I'm looking at the DE set ups and scratchin' my head with the options...

Thanks again, I think I'm going with the 'open comb'!

C utz

P.S. Why and how with the washer modification :confused:

[DragonBoy]

P.S. Why and how with the washer modification :confused:

I use 1mm washers that I put under the blade to raise it above the safety-comb, this gives the blade more acess to the skin so to say.. It also requires a bit more slow-going while shaving.. Best is to try.. But be gentle..

[Smedley]

My one vintage open comb gives me the best shaves of all my razors. Why, I do not know. I care not for physics, just results!! ::kar

[moviemaniac]

My one vintage open comb gives me the best shaves of all my razors. Why, I do not know. I care not for physics, just results!! ::kar
same here - my 1919 Old Standard in Gold just ROCKS!

[fritz]

Thanks!
I shave with a straight razor, so some of these DE features escape me. I'm looking at them and want that blade on the skin, not with a bar or comb in front...so I had to ask. Since I figure I should have a travel razor that is not a straight razor (for over seas travels/airplane trips that do not allow straight razors as cary-ons), I'm looking at the DE set ups and scratchin' my head with the options...
Thanks again, I think I'm going with the 'open comb'!

Not a bad choice. Although I have seen it said that the Slants shave more like a str8 than even the open combs. I have a Slant and it shaves me generally with one less pass than my other razors. I've noticed that a fair number of str8 shavers mention the Slant as a travel alternative. Might check in that forum to see what they recommend.

A Dovo Shavette with the green holder and the rigid Fromm-type blades might work, as would the Feather AC if you really want to spend money. Carry on the razor with the blades checked. I also have a Dovo Shavette and it works well for me. But I haven't shaved with a real str8 for 35 years now.

[_JP_]

I was told that with Merkur razors. the open comb model shaves closer than that straight bar. That's why I bought one.

[sparky5693]

I never quite liked the feel of the open comb against my face, but it shaved fine.

[C utz]

...I've noticed that a fair number of str8 shavers mention the Slant as a travel alternative. Might check in that forum to see what they recommend...

Funny, I purchased a slant a while back for just that reason!
I'm looking to go smaller for the travel bag though, and get the collaps-able Merkur travel razor. I'm going to keep the slant in the cabinet at home for when I miss a hair or so (on a dull straight) and don't have the motivation to go back to the collection and get a sharp one.

On a side note, I was at a few antique shops this past weekend, and saw an old Gillette razor (looked like the HD with an open comb; gold in color) in great condition in a nice lil' box with purple velvet linning...anyway, I noticed that 'hanger' design that was referanced to earlier, in which there is a little shoulder in the Gillette, where the blade is lifted off the comb.

Incidentally, if you guys collect this type of razor, let me know, and I can pick it up for you. If I recall it was relatively cheap (~$15-20), and in almost new condition....(I'm not much of a saftey razor kinda guy, so I pass these up when I see them. Now, where ARE the straight razors kept? :) )

C utz

[Leisureguy]

From the Guide:
Razors in the Merkur Classic series are available as “open-comb”—separated teeth instead of a safety bar. Open-comb razors have the blade either resting on the teeth (the Merkur and old Gillettes) or just above the teeth (the improvement introduced with the Gillette NEW IMPROVED (1921) and used in later models). The safety bar is a solid bar that rides on your skin just ahead of the blade as you shave.

The open comb was the original design, with the safety bar introduced later (easier to manufacture and not so fragile—drop an open-comb and you’re likely to bend one of the teeth). The safety bar pushes away all the lather before the blade does its work, whereas the open comb leaves some lather as protection.

<photos appear here>

On the left is an example of an open-comb razor with the blade resting directly on the comb. This particular razor is the Merkur Hefty Classic Open Comb. On the right is the better design (in my opinion) with the blade held above the teeth by the “coat-hanger” profile of the base plate. The razor in the photo is the Gillette NEW, first offered in 1930.

An open-comb razor has a different feel from a safety-bar, and you can get a good shave with either. Most men opt for the safety bar. The quality of the shave is due mostly to the prep, the blade, and your technique, in any case.