The Ultimate Guide to Finding the Best Open Comb Razor for Your Shaving Needs
People who prefer a vintage taste and finer things in life usually opt for classic shaving styles. If you’re one of those people, you would want to use an open-comb razor instead of a normal one.
Open comb razors are designed with teeth that protrude slightly from the blade. This design helps to guide the hair towards the blade for a closer shave. The feel of these razors makes you go back a few decades and experience a nice clean shave all in one stroke.
In this article, I’ll discuss the best open-comb razors money can buy. I’ve used these razors personally, and not only do they look beautiful, but they also offer a satisfying shaving experience.
Who Should Use An Open Comb Razor?
Open Comb Razors are helpful for people who have coarser, longer, or thicker facial hair. They are instrumental when shaving off a beard because the open comb design can cut more hair than a regular safety razor.
- If your facial hair grows fast and thick, or you want an extra razor to shave off your beard (and switch to a regular safety razor to shave daily), you can go with an open-comb razor.
- It’ll also come in handy if you shave infrequently. It’ll provide an effortless shaving experience, as it can easily cut long hair in a single pass.
It’s important to note that open-comb razors are more aggressive than other razors and better suited for experienced wet shavers who know how to avoid nicks and cuts.
However, you can master them to achieve a close and smooth shave with practice and time. The open-comb razors are easy to clean and can be rinsed underwater.
The key to safely using this type of razor is to shave patiently and use short strokes. It’s also advisable to properly prepare your face before shaving with pre-shave oil and create a rich shaving lather with a good quality shaving soap or cream.
What to consider when purchasing an open comb razor?
When purchasing the best open comb razor, you should keep a few things in mind. These were my go-to two options for the best open comb razor for beginners.
1. Grip
The first thing that I checked was the weight of the razor. I also ensured that whatever option I considered should not be heavy and be easy to handle and grip. The handle length should be more than three inches for better and easy grip. Also, when the handle is long, it becomes a lot easier for you to handle the razor, and it helps with close shaving.
2. Design and look
The design and look are the two other options that must be considered. Most of the races are available in a Chrome finish which looks fantastic. There were a lot of options available with plastic and wooden handles, but I found the Chrome finish a lot better.
3. Easy unscrewing
When opting for the safety razors, one must make sure that changing the blade is accessible or not. You should check the screw and find out if it is simple and easy to change the blade and screw the razor.
4. Price
The price also matters a lot. It would be best if you were not opting for something super expensive, but it is always better to invest in something long-lasting. I opted for the one that was best in terms of durability and also perfect design.
Best Open Comb Razors: Reviewed
Here are my top picks of the best open comb razors that you can use to achieve a smooth shave.
Merkur Slant Bar MK-37001 Double Edge Safety Razor
The Merkur Bar MK-37001 is a slant-edge razor, which keeps things simple for the user and lets the razor take control. It offers an aggressive shave while featuring great control and balance at the same time and helps you get through thicker hair quickly.
You won’t have to apply much pressure on the handle to make things work and shave off coarse hair. It will be a smooth ride from start to finish. Because of the slant edge, you only have to tilt the razor at a 30-degree angle to get the perfect shave.
The Merkur Slant Bar MK-37001 has a more extended handle and is chrome plated for a beautiful finish. The whole thing can be divided into 2 parts to install a new blad easily.
The blade with the razor is high quality and can work well for a long time. Plus, it’s also replaceable, and you can use a universal-sized blade from any brand with this razor.
Specs
- Weight: 79 grams
- Length: 83.3 mm
- Material/Finish: Chrome plated
- Grip: Knurled
- Sleek and easy to grip design
- Helps with efficient shaving
- Perfect for beginners and does not require a lot of pressure for shaving
- The hollow body collects water, which can lead to corrosion.
- Not made of stainless steel
FaTip Nichelato Grande Safety Razor
The main reason why an open comb safety razor is preferred over a closed one is the way it makes things easier when cutting thick and coarse beard hair. It provides a closer and cleaner shave every time.
The wider the comb, the closer the blade will get to your skin, making cutting a thicker beard in one swipe easier without irritating the skin.
This is precisely the ideology that FaTip used to manufacture the Nichelato Grande safety razor. It comes with wide-open comb teeth and an oversized head to make the shaving experience a breeze. The body of this razor is made of nickel, and it’s manufactured in Italy.
You can use FaTip Nichelato Grande Safety Razor with any shaving cream or gel, making it versatile. Plus, it offers a smooth shave and doesn’t require much force.
Specs
- Weight: 70 grams
- Length: 80 mm
- Material/Finish: Nickel
- Grip: Deeply engraved vertical lines
- Easy to use
- Has simplistic yet bold features
- Works well with any sort of blade
- The aggressiveness of this razor might not be suitable for people who are new to open-comb razors.
- Nickel plating can lead to allergic reactions in some people.
Merkur MK-25C Double Edge Safety Razor
The Merkur MK-25C is excellent for those who want a long razor. It’s an open comb, so it does have the leverage of providing you with one of the closest shaves a razor can offer.
When I received this razor and removed it from the box, I noticed its blade needed a slight adjustment. It was the only inconvenience that I experienced with this product. That’s because when I adjusted the blade and tried the razor, it gave me an excellent shave.
The Merkur MK-25C also makes things easier by cutting down the shaving time. It also offers an excellent grip and is made of sturdy materials, which will help you in the long run.
Specs
- Weight: 60 grams
- Length: 105.6 mm
- Material/Finish: Nickel
- Grip: Chrome plated
- You don’t lose the grip even when using the razor in the shower.
- Helps get closer to the skin without irritation
- Has long-lasting features
- Easy to clean
- Weight may be too light for some people
Parker 24C Open Comb Double Edge Razor
The Parker 24C is a beautiful razor for a long-lasting shaving partner. Although it may have minor problems with rusting, it can still be used for a reasonable amount of time.
The initial purchase comes with high-quality, stainless-steel blades with a count of 5. The blades are separated into 3 compartments, making it easier to place the blade in, and the precision of the blade alignment makes the shave cleaner.
To make things sturdier, the blade handle is made of brass, offering an excellent grip and preventing the razor from slipping even in the shower or when used with soap.
Another great feature of the Parker 24C is that it comes with a double edge razor. It delivers a comfortable and smooth shave without being too aggressive, minimizing the risk of razor burns, bumps, and irritation.
Specs
- Weight: 96.3 grams
- Length: 95.25 mm
- Material/Finish: Genuine brass, chrome plated
- Grip: Knurled
- A classic 1900s design updated with modern features
- This razor is also affordable and will last for many shaves.
- Genuine brass frame with chrome plating
- Easy handling
- A rusting problem can occur
MÜHLE TRADITIONAL R41 Safety Razor
MÜHLE is one of the most popular companies in the industry of shaving products. A single man started this company, passionate about creating natural handmade products while working in the laundry. He first made a shaving brush, leading to a successful company owned and run by the family for 3 generations.
MÜHLE is best known for its premium quality, durable, and reliable shaving-related products. It offers all types of shaving materials, such as brushes, foams, shaving kits, and razors.
MÜHLE believes in luxury and wants to deliver a peaceful and professional shave at home with the help of their razors. The TRADITIONAL R41 is one of the company's best razors, synonymous with the open comb design.
The form and shape of this product are beautiful, and it leaves your skin baby-smooth every time. It's made of high-quality brass and features chrome plating to withstand time.
Remember that the MÜHLE TRADITIONAL R41 is a highly aggressive blade, and you'll need to use the proper shaving techniques to use this razor safely.
I recommend you keep your facial skin pulled tautly and tilt the razor at around a 30-degree angle. Also, ensure you don't apply downward pressure while moving the razor.
Specs
- Weight: 68 grams
- Length: 106.9 mm
- Material/Finish: Brass, chrome plated
- Grip: Knurled
- Quality and excellence carried through generations
- Precision-made razors for great shaves
- Multiple products are made by hand in the factory, which has persisted since 1945.
- A great option for experienced shavers
- Not the best option for new open-comb razor users because of its aggressiveness and sharpness
Parker 69CR Convertible Safety Razor
With decades of experience comes a little professionalism, which shows through the product. That’s precisely the case with Parker.
It’s a well-reputed company that offers some of the best quality open comb razors, and the 69CR Convertible is no exception. The best thing about this razor is that both men and women can use it.
With the point of sensitive skin being discussed, the Parker 69CR allows the user to use it on areas where the skin is sensitive and promises a smooth shave every time.
The closeness of the razor gets the hair off and does not require multiple runbacks that may irritate the skin. Another feature I liked about this razor is that it comes with both an open comb and a closed comb head. It allows the user to switch accordingly, depending on their preferences.
Specs
- Weight: 93.5 grams
- Length: 95.2 mm
- Material/Finish: Genuine brass, chrome accents
- Grip: Knurled
- Good for both men and women
- Alternating heads for comfortable shaves
- Easy to use
- Beginner friendly
- The blades included in the package aren’t of the finest quality.
Conclusion
This was my list of some of the best open-comb razors I’ve tried. They’re easy to use and have been altered in a way that makes them an excellent choice for people who love vintage shaving kits and tricks.
Each razor listed in this guide is made of quality materials and causes less-to-no irritation, even on sensitive skin. You can choose any open-comb razor based on your style to enjoy a satisfying and effortless shaving experience.