So, the secret is out, guys. Safety razors and other fixings of traditional shaving are back in style. I think us younger fellas can admit we all fell for the endless blade upgrading from the big razor companies: four blades are better than three, five blades are better than four, and so on. However, it looks like we should have listened to our grandfathers on this one, they had it all figured out.
That being said, us interested in the traditional style of shaving are going to need to upgrade our gear!
Merkur is and has been one of the leading companies in traditional shaving equipment for decades. They truly have the products to get those who haven’t been acclimated started. They have the products to give the more experienced shavers an upgrade. And they have the products to give all of us a sleek and manly upgrade to our grooming tools.
Merkur: The First Step Up:
Don’t confuse Merkur with a realm in Tolkin’s Middle Earth, I think it’s actually from George R. R. Martin’s popular book series. But seriously, this German company – a subsidiary of DOVO Steelware, has been producing high-quality razors and cutlery for over a century. They now employ about 100 people who produce scissors, razors, and other grooming cutlery. Almost three-fourths of their products are exported from Germany.
Despite their old age, Merkur products aren’t just for your granddad that refuses to get with the times, or hipsters that drink iced tea from Mason jars. Traditional safety razors, in addition to being good looking, produce and awesome shave that today’s mass-produced razors just can’t achieve.
This company understands shaving and the need for exceptional shaving tools. Their website discusses the basic techniques of shaving and addresses common problems and solutions including best practices for shaving with an irregular growth pattern. Merkur doesn’t stop the quality train with shaving products either. They offer all kinds of grooming gear for gentlemen including nail clippers, tweezers, nose trimmers, and even manicure sets.
The Merkur razors are heavier than what you might be used to, but this weight also helps yield a better shave than what you might be used to. The construction is time-tested and sturdy, so there are no unexpected slips or slides while shaving. They also come in a variety of styles and shapes to meet your specific tastes.
The Mekur magic isn’t just in the chic design of their razors, even their blades bring something extra to the table. Made from stainless platinum, Mekur blades dare you to find a better way to shave. The best part is that they are affordable, so you won’t be paying out the nose for something that you’ll eventually be throwing away.
You might think about upgrading to a Merkur once you’ve become comfortable with shaving with a safety razor. If you started out with an inexpensive used safety razor because you weren’t sure if you’d like it, but have now discovered that you can’t live without one – the Merkur line is a good place to start looking for that next step up.
Five of their razors have made our list of best safety razors, more than any other brand. With a combination of superior quality and a bargain price, how could they not? Nobody wants to spend more money than they have to, but when it comes to your face, why cut corners? Merkur offers some of the best shave products available without shaking out down for every last nickel you have.
Here are the best products from Merkur Razor Company:
Merkur Model 180 Long Handled Safety Razor:
- An extra close shave
- Merkur high quality shaving
- Chrome finish sturdy razor
- Long handle – great for people with large hands
- Made in Germany
When it comes to safety razors there really isn’t many more trusted companies in the market than Merkur. Merkur has been making safety razors for several years, and they have gained quite a fan base during that process. Since safety razors have been making their comeback, Merkur seems to have been leading the pack in terms of a solid, generic safety razor that is friendly to any type of user; whether it be a beginner or experienced.
The first thing to notice about the model 180 long handled safety razor is its convenient size. One of the only consistent bad reviews the Merkur safety razors get is their large and bulky size. However, this particular model has been praised for its slender and sleek design, coupled with its lightweight and durability. Additionally, this razor doesn’t pivot, it is able to provide a close, comfortable shave, although you may have to be a bit more patient.
Also, switching to the Merkur safety razor will save you a ton in the long run! If any of you have had the same impulse as me and went out and bought one of the Gillette razors with the fancy names for $8.00, just turn turn around and find out the replacement blades cost $12.00, you’ll be happy to know the replacement blades on this bad boy are much less expensive (averaging about $15.00-$19.00 for a pack of 30).
In an age where various companies would love us to believe that three blades is better than two, four blades is better than three, and so on, this razor proves that your really need one quality blade to get the job done.
Vision Adjustable Safety Razor:
- Adjustable Head allows for the closest shave
- Head screws on and off to change blade
- Gives the closest most comfortable shave
- Made of stainless steel with a chrome finish
The Vision is another beautiful and trusted safety razor by Merkur. Admittedly, like other razor reviews we have done, the Vision is yet another bulky razor from Merkur. However, if you have given it a try and decide that design is right for you, then this razor is an excellent choice! People continuously gravitate toward the bulky Merkur design because it gives them more control, it’s solid, and it’s heavy. You can gladly drop it on your tile floor to test it (however, I do not recommend this). This razor is beautifully crafted with a very sleek finish. Although, you are going to want to read the instructions on how to preserve the finish, as it is prone to scratching. One of the single most complaints about this razor was the build-up of soap on the finish and the need to regularly soak it in a solution (tedious I know, but it will preserve that beautiful look!)
One of the main problems that people run into when they begin shaving with a safety razor is they cut themselves frequently. Although cutting yourself is inevitable when you begin shaving with a double edged razor, the only solution is control. This razor provides control. The manufacturers designed this razor specifically for the purpose of control, and this is apparent within the first few swipes with this big fella.
Merkur 34C Double Edge Razor:
- Double Edge Safety Razor
- Stainless Steel
- Imported From Germany
The 34C by Merkur is one of the more economically sound out of all the Merkur shaving gear. While most of the safety razors are priced at over $100 easily, the 34C can be purchased for around $50, respectively. However, the 34C does not forfeit quality for price. This razor is still incredibly durable and sleek like other Merkur razors. Also like many other Merkur razors, this razor is heavy, and might take some getting use to the weight. However, once you do get use to the weight, you will find the added weight helps with control.
The Merkur 34C is a great razor to start out with. This is largely do to it’s price compared to the other Merkur razors, but also for the control. The 34C has a user-friendly design that minimizes cuts and burns, but it maximizes speed and comfort. Also, unlike other Merkur designs, the 34C has a shorter handle. This can be a great thing for those with smaller hands, or those who are use to disposables. However, if you are looking for a longer than average handle, I would recommend the Merkur model 180.
Merkur-Razor Double Edge Razor Blades:
- Fits all double edge razors
- 10 blades per Pack
- Made in Solingen, Germany
Well after all, you can’t have the razor without the blades!
In all reality, safety razors are like golf clubs, you can you any combination of razors and blades that feel most comfortable for you: a Merkur razor with an Astra blade, a Edwin Jagger razor with a Derby blade, and so on. However, for the purpose of this article, we will be reviewing Merkur blades.
Merkur blades are a solid, balanced blade. They aren’t the sharpest, and they don’t provide the smoothest shave, however, if you can get them for a decent price (and you almost always can), they are a surefire bet every time. As I said previously, you can swoop up a 30 pack of these blades for about $15.00-$19.00 or around $8.00 for a pack of 10 if you just want to try them out. Each blade should last you around a week or so.
At the end of the day, regardless of your safety razor experience these razors would be a good fit for anybody. They are reasonably priced and work well for the amount you pay for them. You can certainly go up in quality and price from this brand, but I wouldn’t recommend you go lower.