OCtober 2016 - Discuss Open Comb Razors

TabOCtober 3 SOTD:
Razor: PAA Bakelite Open Comb Slant
Blade: Astra SP (1)
Brush: Omega 10777 boar
Lather: Tabac
AS: British Sterling


Previous Shaves:
10-1: Fatip Piccolo/GSB(1)
10-2: Fatip Piccolo/GSB(2)

 

I mostly use the Feather FHS blades. They fit in all of my newer Valets, and I was fortunate to have acquired a good supply of them before all this OneBlade nonsense started.

I also like using a modified Gem blade in the VB1 and VC1, although it is scary aggressive in the VB1.

I have a fairly large stock of NOS Valet blades. However, even after going through them with a microscope and picking out some of the best edges and then stropping extensively, I still get a shave that is inferior to that using either of the modern blades. I've picked up another strop with the intention of pasting it with CrOx, but I haven't gotten around to trying it yet.

--Bob

 

Thanks very much Bob.

 

Shave for OCtober 3, 2016

1901 Gem "New Gem" Lather Catcher
Kampfe Bros. wedge blade
Whipped Dog 24mm synthetic brush
Haslinger Schafmilch soap
Old Spice aftershave (w/added menthol)

Continuing my OCtober tour of early open comb lather catchers, today's shave features the 1901 "New Gem." This razor has the aggressive shave common to most razors of this period, but is still quite smooth. I don't have any Gem wedge blades but fortunately a Kampfe Bros. blade fits perfectly. This razor is unusual in that the frame is hinged at the front below the comb and has a split back that opens to allow for easy cleaning.



Yes, it is most definitely open comb. The hinges can also be clearly seen, as well as some of the ornate engraving that was common on razors of this period.

--Bob

 

Awesome setups Doug!

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Thanks very much.

 

Razor: Timeless OC w/Hempel Ti
Blade: Wilkinson Sword (3) / Gillette Silver Blue (1)
Brush: Simpsons CH1 Chubby Best Badger
Soap: Route 66 Frozen Margarita
Aftershave: Booster Iced Lime
The Wilkinson wasn't holding up tonight so I replaced it after 2 passes. The GSB is one of my favorite blades. I usually have good results with the Wilkinson in my vintage Gillette razors.
Not to worry. The Frozen Margarita work perfectly as usual. The addition of the Hempel Ti handle helped to make this shave a DFS.

 

Open comb? It's open everything! Awesome looking razor.

HERM

 

I use the GEM ptfe coated blade. It works very well.

 

The Timeless OC is epic IMO! Great photo!

 

Great photo Doug. The Timeless OC looks fantastic with the Hempel Handle.

 

Nice set up amigo!

 

OCtober 3rd - 7th planned setup

Bunny OC razor
New Forest brush
L'Occitane Cade rich shaving soap
L'Occitane Cade edt

 

October 4, 2016
Timeless OC .95 Gap with Hempel Ti
Feather (1)
Rubberset 400 #3 with WSP HMW
Reef Point Dragon’s Blood
Witch Hazel
Fine Platinum

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Getting back to the Timeless OC after focusing on SE razors last month. Honestly it took me sometime to come to terms with this razor. For the first 7 shaves or so, I had weepers and nicks constantly even though I was riding the cap. Finally watching a video review of the razor on one of the UK sites, I noticed the guy using a very steep angle. So I decided to give a steeper angle a try. Instantly the shaves smoothed out and efficiency improved. Examining the razor head this makes sense. The blade is tightly clamped into a more curved bottom plate than most razors. So in reality a steep angle brings the blade back to an optimum cutting angle.

I went with a 3 pass shave this morning and was very close to a BBS. Since I had the time, I chased the baby and with minimal effort ended with a BBS shave. The Timeless OC gives shave that are equal to my best SE shaves. It is not quite as forgiving as my original Wolfman OC but is more efficient. I finished off the shaves with a splash of Fine Platinum. I hope everyone has a great Tuesday.

 

Today I used the Gillette New short comb with the ball end handle.

 

Dove Men Face Wash
L'OCCITANE Cade
Jayaruh #104
Goodwill (made in England)
Gillette Rubie Platinum Plus
CWR, Asma Alum Block
T.N. Dickinson's WH
Pinaud Vegetal

This is my only Goodwill razor. It was made in England for the French market. It is a dream to shave with.

 

Tuesday, OCtober 4, 2016

Simpson Chubby 2 Synthetic
Martin De Candre Fougere
iKon OC DLC with UFO TiTan Fine L
Polsilver Super Iridium #1
Chatillion Lux Colbeck


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Great photo. Did you find the shaves similar between the New Deluxe and the Ikon?

 

TabOCtober 4 SOTD:
Razor: PAA Bakelite Open Comb Slant
Blade: Astra SP (2)
Brush: Omega 10777 boar
Lather: Tabac
AS: Aqua Velva

The Phoenix Slant is a great piece of hardware. If you can remember to keep the pressure light it just mows down the stubble.

Previous Shaves:
===========
10-1: Fatip Piccolo/GSB(1)
10-2: Fatip Piccolo/GSB(2)
10-3: PAA Bakelite Open Comb Slant/Astra SP (1)

 

Best I could do not being at home.

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