Open comb sharp edges

[Sami]

Greetings gentz,

I wanted to check with you gentz if you experience sharp edges of the combs as well with some open comb razors, for example a razor i really like is the tatara masamune open comb a beautiful razor with excellent quality finish and shaving characteristics but for some reason the moment I go against the grain under the nose i can just feel the sharp edges of the comb digging in the skin while on the rest of the face it's smooth sailing, i dont have this issue with all open comb razors tho, like for example the razorock bbs open comb or lupo open comb are smooth allround regardless, could it be because these razors have rounded edges? I believe open comb razors like timeless as wel they took the rounding of the edges a bit further i belief that's one of many reasons why the Timeless open comb razors are liked by many, I'm curious what your experiences are with the open comb razors.

Thanks gentz.

 

[TobyC]

If the tips of the comb are touching your face you're doing it wrong. Use a much shallower blade angle.

 

[Chris]

What Toby said.

 

[Twelvefret]

Greetings gentz,

I wanted to check with you gentz if you experience sharp edges of the combs as well with some open comb razors, for example a razor i really like is the tatara masamune open comb a beautiful razor with excellent quality finish and shaving characteristics but for some reason the moment I go against the grain under the nose i can just feel the sharp edges of the comb digging in the skin while on the rest of the face it's smooth sailing, i dont have this issue with all open comb razors tho, like for example the razorock bbs open comb or lupo open comb are smooth allround regardless, could it be because these razors have rounded edges? I believe open comb razors like timeless as wel they took the rounding of the edges a bit further i belief that's one of many reasons why the Timeless open comb razors are liked by many, I'm curious what your experiences are with the open comb razors.

Thanks gentz.

I have several vintage open comb blade holders and have not experienced what you have. Some are more rounded. Some are shorter or longer. The nose area is a challenge and why I prefer a Schick injector for those areas.

 

[Sami]

If the tips of the comb are touching your face you're doing it wrong. Use a much shallower blade angle.

The issue only happens when shaving against the grain under the nostrils not the rest of the face, I tried various angles like i do with all razors untill i find the right angle but for some reason the angle hardly has effect it still seems to dig in the skin also if the angle is not proper it won't cut the whiskers, but I'll experiment some more with that thank you for the suggestion

 

[Chris]

To expand on the earlier comment, most razors have a range of angles where they'll cut whiskers, I prefer a shallow angle (handle more perpendicular). The only time I've experienced the feeling of the tips of the comb digging in is when the angle's been too steep.

I've not tried the Masamune open comb (I don't think!), but I have used several OCs, the one most likely to feel like the tips were digging in is my iKon Deluxe (Gillette New Deluxe clone) where the tips of the teeth are quite angular but even with that if the angle's nice and shallow it feels smooth.

 

[SpeedyPC]

Greetings gentz,

I wanted to check with you gentz if you experience sharp edges of the combs as well with some open comb razors, for example a razor i really like is the tatara masamune open comb a beautiful razor with excellent quality finish and shaving characteristics but for some reason the moment I go against the grain under the nose i can just feel the sharp edges of the comb digging in the skin while on the rest of the face it's smooth sailing, i dont have this issue with all open comb razors tho, like for example the razorock bbs open comb or lupo open comb are smooth allround regardless, could it be because these razors have rounded edges? I believe open comb razors like timeless as wel they took the rounding of the edges a bit further i belief that's one of many reasons why the Timeless open comb razors are liked by many, I'm curious what your experiences are with the open comb razors.

Thanks gentz.

I just ride the top cap only for all open comb razors, it's smooth and easier on the face.

 

[TobyC]

The issue only happens when shaving against the grain under the nostrils not the rest of the face, I tried various angles like i do with all razors untill i find the right angle but for some reason the angle hardly has effect it still seems to dig in the skin also if the angle is not proper it won't cut the whiskers, but I'll experiment some more with that thank you for the suggestion

If the tips aren't touching the skin they can't dig in. When finding the angle you want, always begin on the cap and rotate towards the teeth, but never all the way onto the teeth.

 

[chazt]

Greetings gentz,

I wanted to check with you gentz if you experience sharp edges of the combs as well with some open comb razors, for example a razor i really like is the tatara masamune open comb a beautiful razor with excellent quality finish and shaving characteristics but for some reason the moment I go against the grain under the nose i can just feel the sharp edges of the comb digging in the skin while on the rest of the face it's smooth sailing, i dont have this issue with all open comb razors tho, like for example the razorock bbs open comb or lupo open comb are smooth allround regardless, could it be because these razors have rounded edges? I believe open comb razors like timeless as wel they took the rounding of the edges a bit further i belief that's one of many reasons why the Timeless open comb razors are liked by many, I'm curious what your experiences are with the open comb razors.

Thanks gentz.

I understand the sensation you describe, and yes, it is noticeable with some razors. Toby et. al., are spot on.

The only thing else I would share is something I read years ago on a now defunct forum. The poster described going against the grain under the nose as “the fool’s pass.” Considering his choice of words made me stop trying.

 

[Twelvefret]

I understand the sensation you describe, and yes, it is noticeable with some razors. Toby et. al., are spot on.

The only thing else I would share is something I read years ago on a now defunct forum. The poster described going against the grain under the nose as “the fool’s pass.” Considering his choice of words made me stop trying.

I’ve never watched a professional barber using a straight razor go against the grain under the nose or around the nostrils. They squeeze the nose and make downward strokes.

Let me know when you go ATG with your Feather DX around your nose!

 

[Sami]

I understand the sensation you describe, and yes, it is noticeable with some razors. Toby et. al., are spot on.

The only thing else I would share is something I read years ago on a now defunct forum. The poster described going against the grain under the nose as “the fool’s pass.” Considering his choice of words made me stop trying.

I have no issues at all going against the grain under the nose with mild razors tho, no irritation no burn no nothing, only some open comb razors like the tatara masamune open comb, ikon b1 open comb are tricky since there is no flat surface under the nose, a razor like the razorock bbs open comb works fine for me tho going against the grain under the nostrils.

 

[chazt]

I have no issues at all going against the grain under the nose with mild razors tho, no irritation no burn no nothing, only some open comb razors like the tatara masamune open comb, ikon b1 open comb are tricky since there is no flat surface under the nose, a razor like the razorock bbs open comb works fine for me tho going against the grain under the nostrils.

Yes, I occasionally use the b1 open comb ikon. That’s the razor that has the most noticeable sensation imo. Otoh, the mildest shaving open comb razor I’ve used was the Merkur. Even if I tried, it was nearly impossible to cause any sort of irritation, even atg. Still, under the nose I’d only go xtg with that one.

 

[chazt]

Let me know when you go ATG with your Feather DX around your nose!

When I bid farewell to Mr. Van Dyke you’ll be among the first to know

 

[Sami]

I forgot to mention that for me going against the grain under the nostrils comes with extreme care and if i experience the slightest discomfort i stop immediately and let it be, but the suggestion to pinch the nose and go with the grain like barbers do is something i need to try and see if that works, because what you mentioned chazt about the poster that said going against the grain under the nostrils is a fools pass, there is wisdom in it wich i cant deny.

 

[Twelvefret]

There is much to be said for the pressure on the blade of a Schick injector plus the smaller head design with can safety work to shave on the columella.