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

throw some stipulations out there. see who wants to participate.

 

SOTD 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

Observation on the RazoRock Brain Freeze: I would say there is NO MENTHOL in this soap. Or at least nothing I could feel. Not that great overall, very disappointing. Could explain why I've never heard anyone mention it. Live and learn.

Observation on the razor: This "Mystery Razor #2" looks very much like an Old Type, but performs more like a Tech, very forgiving. I think this is for two reasons. First, there is more "bend" of the blade, a steeper angle. Second, there is very little blade exposure. The only tough part was that it was very tough to align the blade evenly, it was easy to shift it from side to side before getting tightened down. It looks much more aggressive than it is.



Result was a very smooth shave with only a small amount of aftershave feedback. Not bad at all.

 

I'm in on the "NO-Variation November". But, I agree, we need some guidance.

 

Sounds very similar to what I have to do with my own "mystery razor," which I have named Ivan the Terrible.

 

I saw "Ivan", it looks similar to mine. You can see the entire razor a couple of posts earlier. But your handle is MUCH nicer. I haven't named mine yet, maybe Rusty? Nah.

View attachment 56367

 

10/30/2014 Open Comb October

Prep: Hot shower with Nivea Face Wash with menthol, TSD Iced Subzero Pre Shave Balm
Razor: Gillette Senator OC, CMON Filarmonica Doble Temple straight razor
Blade: Bic Chrome Platinum (1), Wilkinson Sword (1)
Brush: Turkish #6
Soap: Godrej SC
After: Home made ASB, Osage Rub
Cologne: Prada - Amber Pour Homme Intense

I used some items from the Nationwide Box Tour box this morning. I used the TSD Iced Subzero PSB. There was no tingle at the start, but after a minute or two there was a definite cooling tingle. The Turkish #6 whipped up the Godrej shave cream to a great yogurt like consistency. The Godrej was slick and protecting. I started out using the Bic Platinum, but this blade was tugging and pulling from the first stroke. I switched out to a new Wilkinson Sword blade and the rest of the shave was without incident. The Osage Rub has the legend for providing an intense cooling feeling. I used the Osage Rub and I could feel the cooling tingle for 30 minutes after the shave. The Prada Amber will have me smelling great for the rest of the day. All in all a Darn Fine Shave + is the final result.

Have a blessed day!

 

OCtober 30
The new improved might be the best. I will have to do a comparison vs the New, but my initial feeling is that the New Improved is a tad better. That is almost blasphemy. Only 2 shaves with the New, but both of them AGAIG. 1 more shave tomorrow loaded with a new Astra SP.
New Improved / Persona dept store (3)
Vintage Yardley
Vie Long horse hair
Lavender Witch Hazel
Aqua Velva Classic Sport

 

OCtober 30
The new improved might be the best. I will have to do a comparison vs the New, but my initial feeling is that the New Improved is a tad better. That is almost blasphemy. Only 2 shaves with the New, but both of them AGAIG. 1 more shave tomorrow loaded with a new Astra SP.
New Improved / Persona dept store (3)
Vintage Yardley
Vie Long horse hair
Lavender Witch Hazel
Aqua Velva Classic Sport

 

I recently picked up a New Standard and I must agree, it appears to be a better shave than my New.


Oh great, now we'll both be banished!

 

Finally got an Open Comb. Tomorrow will be her Maiden Voyage, the last day of Open Comb OCtober 2014.

Shave Plan ~ Friday, OCtober 31, 2014
Razor: Gillette New Long Open Comb
Blade: Super-Max Sunrise
Brush: Simpson Commodore X-3 Best
Lather: Mike's Natural Soaps - Rose & Cedarwood

 

welcome to the party. better late than never.

 

Thanks David. Glad to be aboard.

 

She's a beauty!

 

Last shave of OCtober. Gillette NEW SC
Happy Reformation Day.

 

From all the reference materials I have (books, internet sources, measurements) the NEW Improved was slightly more aggressive than the NEW because the blade thickness was reduced when the Probak / Gillette Blue blades came out to go along with the NEW around 1930 versus the thick three hole blades. So the gap on the NEW is slightly less. So when you use more modern blades you should experience a difference. I know I can tell a difference when I use the NEW Improved versus a NEW. My choice between all three is still the OLD.

 

My last shave of OCtober 2014.

​

 

To all the participants. Thank you for kicking this thread off so well. Some of us will move on to the next month sporting something different for NO-Variation NOVember and some will still have an OC to work in both threads.

To anyone who wants to post or talk about OCs here is the place to do it any time of the year.

Again, thanks to all of you for making this a success!

 

I have a couple of Old Type's circa 1920's, but tomorrow will be my first shave with a Single Ring. I will see how that compares with the rest of the fleet.

 

I really liked mine. it has a light touch and very good balance. felt very natural in my hand. I hope you get the same result.

 

10/31/2014 Open Comb October

Prep: Hot shower with Nivea Face Wash with menthol, AOS Unscented Pre Shave Oil
Razor: Gillette New LC, Ace straight razor
Blade: Bic Chrome Platinum (1), Wilkinson Sword (2)
Brush: Col Conk Pure Badger
Soap: Prep SC
After: Home made ASB, No 7 men after shave balm
Cologne: Bond No 9 - NY Oud

I used some items from the Nationwide Box Tour box this morning. I started off with the AOS PSO that went on easily and did a good job with slickness. The Col Conk Badger whipped up the Prep shave cream to a good consistency. The Prep had a good consistency, but was a little lacking in the slickness area. I pulled out a new Bic blade just in case the one I used yesterday was a bad blade. This new blade did the same thing as the one from yesterday. I guess that the Bic Chrome Platinum is not a good fit for me. I switched over to the Wilkinson Sword blade and had no more problems. The No 7 Men after shave balm went on easily and gave good protection. The NY Oud will have me smelling great all day.

Have a blessed Day!