Open Comb Central - The Place With Real Teeth (No R41, Hybrid or Closed Combs)

SOTD

October 28, 2014
Prep: Hot shower. Axe Shield Face Wash
Razor: iKon DLC OC
Blade: Ladas
Lather: TSD Pumpkin Harvest
Brush: Omega 10066
Post: Alum. Dickerson WH
Aftershave: Captains Choice Cat O' Nine Tails
Great shave!
Go out and get it!

 

SOTD 10-27-2014

Prep: shower, Neutrogena face wash.

Brush: Vie-Long Lord Randal Mixed Knot.

Lather: Omega Crema da Barba.

Razor: Unknown origin (Eastern European/Russian?) open-comb razor.

Blade: Voskhod (figured it would pair nicely with the razor).

After: Florida Water.

So I gave the "mystery razor" a spin tonight. The knurling on the handle is truly awesome. It feels industrial and chunky and solid. Heavy too. However, here is the odd part.

The alignment of the top plate seems to be slightly off. It is shifted to one side a bit. I am not sure if this is an accidental defect, or an intentional design element. (See photos below.) It afftected the shave in that one side -- the "short comb"ish side -- shaved close and relatively mild, comparable to a Tech or Super Speed, with no nicks or other issues at all. But the other side -- the "long comb"ish side -- did not shave much at all unless I got the angle precisely correct. I didn't even notice it until I had nearly finished, and then I decided to finish my shave off with the Maggard MR6B, and figured I would examine the razor later on.

So... Anyone care to venture whether this is (as I suspect) an accidental flaw in the design and/or manufacture? Or whether this design was intentional, to give a user the option of a shorter or longer comb? My money says it's a flaw.

I tried changing heads on the razor, but the internal handle size is just a bit too narrow for a Maggard, Lord, or Tech head. I really like the handle, and the more aggressive side of the razor gave me something approaching BBS. It's just the longer side that doesn't work for me.

Thoughts? Feedback? It is a neat little razor, and kind of unique. Despite its quirks.

I am going to name it "Ivan the Terrible."



The short side


The long side


A view of both sides. Note the slight difference in blade exposure, gap, and comb length. The left side is the longer side.

 

I am curious. Are the holes in the bottom plate off center, or is the post off center? I have a Parker butterfly razor that will shift the blade to one side if I don't pay attention to it. One side aggressive, one side mild.

 

I like the look of that razor.

 

Oct 28 2014
Gem Open Comb Micromatic
Gem Blue Star Super single edge, 3rd use
Soap Commander Passion, sample
Vie Long Peleón horse hair brush
HTGAM alcohol free Scentsless AS

Nice DFS again today.

 

My planned shave for 29 OCtober

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OCtober 28
Shave with my newest Old Type razor, a Canadian Old Type with a hollow handle. More aggressive than the Gillette New but a very good close shave. BBS and AGAIG. My mascot likes the razor, although he is a little afraid of the aggressiveness.
MWF
Vulfix 660 Super Badger
Gillette Canadian Old Type / Persona Dept. Store (1)
Aubrey Northwoods ASB
Mennen Skin Bracer

 

Gillette 20s Old Style

 

Yesterday's shave

 

10/29/2014 Open Comb October

Prep: Hot shower with Nivea Face Wash with menthol, home made PSO
Razor: GEM Micro Matic OC, Hamburg Concave Quick Cutter straight razor
Blade: GEM PFTE coated SE blade (2)
Brush: Vie Long Horse Hair
Soap: Mitchell's Wool Fat
After: Home made ASB, Grey Flannel ASB
Cologne: Grey Flannel

I went with the MWF this morning and it did not let me down. It whipped up kind of soupy, but did a great job protecting my skin. I finished up with the Grey Flannel ASB and the Grey Flannel cologne. All in all a Darn Fine Shave +.

Have a blessed day!

 

Can you shift the blade from side to side? I noticed on my New Standard that the blade doesn't lock into place perfectly and, if you're not looking, can have much more blade exposed on one side in comparison to the other. I've had to hold the ends with the head almost tight and maneuver the blade to where the exposure is similar.

 

Yeah, I can do that a little. Kind of a PITA but possible. Doesn't get them perfectly balanced but it's very close. I just have to push up on the base plate with my thumb at about a 45 degree angle while I screw the handle in.

The razor gives a great, mild shave when the blade and top cap are balanced.

The issue seems to be, from eyeballing it, that the 3 holes in the base plate are slightly off center... Maybe 0.5 to 1mm or so.

 

SOTD

October 29, 2014
Prep: Hot shower. Axe Shield Face Wash
Razor: iKon DLC OC
Blade: Ladas
Lather: MdC
Brush: WD Silvertip
Post: Alum. Dickerson WH
Aftershave: Fine Platinum. Axe Shield Sensitive
Go out and get it!

 

Gillette NEW SC

 

thank you Gary
this was a fun idea.
it was nice finding greater appreciation for the open combs

 

Planned for Thursday, 10/30/14:

Razor: Unknown, Unbranded Open Comb (similar to Old Type)
Prep: "Good Luck" kiss from the wife
Blade: Astra SP
Soap: RazoRock Brain Freeze
Brush: WD Butterscotch Silvertip
Bowl: Pfaltzgraf
Aftershave: Old Spice Classic



Gonna "brave" it with this recent estate sale find. Very much like an Old Type but there is more "bend" of the blade. Looks like angle is going to be key. Very tough to align the blade evenly. If anyone has any idea what this razor is, I'd like to know.

 

You are welcome. Like the SE and Injector Party thread, this will be a permanent thread for those who get a hankering for discussing and showing off their OCs all year round!

 

My planned shave for 30 OCtober

​

 

So who all is going to do a NO-Variation NOVember with me? We need to start a thread for this, I think...?

And maybe establish some ground rules, like it doesn't have to be the same exact blade (i.e., no one expects someone to use only only blade for a fill 30 Days), but should be the same make and brand.

 

SOTD

October 30, 2014
Prep: Hot shower. Axe Shield Face Wash
Razor: iKon DLC OC
Blade: Ladas
Lather: Palmolive
Brush: Semogue 1305
Post: Alum. Dickerson WH
Aftershave: Clubman. Axe Shield Sensitive
Really nice shave, this palmolive was in stick form, I smashed it into a container months ago. The iKon DLC OC turned out to be a nice razor!
Go out and get it!