Help me pick a merkur

[armenakadino]

I need help picking a merkur which do you think would be a good starter razor that still will give an awesome shave when I learn the technique

[JPM]

The 34C is a good choice, many use it as their first razor. I like that one, but you may also consider the 1904 Open Comb. Open Combs have a reputation as being an aggressive shaver, but my experience with the 1904 is that it is very forgiving.

I also suggest getting a blade sample pack from www.westcoastshaving.com and try out some different blades.

Good luck and Welcome to B&B!

[rickboone1]

The 23C is a nice choice and there just happens to be one for sale in the BST :)

[Robxcarlson]

I started with a 23c which I found to be a beautiful shaver. I have a 34c now which is just as nice. The only difference is the handle length and weight, with the 23c being longer and lighter but either makes a great beginner razor.

[theologist]

I wholeheartedly second the 23C. A little lighter, with extra length to enhance handling ~ but beautifully balanced. If I could only have one razor, the 23C would probably be it.

[Mr.Gentleman]

34c or 38c...

[highball]

34c or 38c...
+1

[thunderball]

I started with the 1904 and still use it. :001_smile

[cesium]

34c for sure. Check out the reviews section.

[rac]

hi
1904 ,nice and cheap ,good shave .
34c , another good one . good shave.

[Pike]

Are you dead set on a Merkur? A nice SS, Tech, or Krona is a fantastic newbie shaver and will give you years and years of service. A nice less expensive way to get you started out. Just MHO.

[Suzuki]

I also think that the Edwin Jagger razors are excellent first DEs.

I've not been overly impressed with the quality of the Merkurs, although I gather this has improved recently.

[sandmountainslim]

Are you dead set on a Merkur? A nice SS, Tech, or Krona is a fantastic newbie shaver and will give you years and years of service. A nice less expensive way to get you started out. Just MHO.

+1 I also suggest vintage Gillette razors unless you are just set on a Merkur.
Wp

[curtis909]

+1

+2

[David in Boston]

hi
1904 ,nice and cheap ,good shave .
34c , another good one . good shave.

If your set on a Merkur then you can't go wrong with either.

Got both and they are great shavers.:001_smile

[ShaveAddict]

I started with the 1904 and still use it. :001_smile

+1 the 1904 is very cheap and it's a fine shaver.

[dignifried]

Get a Barberpole slant and if you don't get on with it I would be happy to take it off your hands :wink2::devil2:

[dreadpirate]

Get a Gillette Super Speed (many variants to choose from - all great) - they are plentiful and cheap. Get the Merkur after you are more experienced - or maybe you'll just keep sing the Gillette .

[dreadpirate]

34c or 38c...

I can't speak for the 34C - but I found the 38C to be too big and clumsy unless you have big hands and a horse-sized face. I will say the 38C is a great looking razor

[Copierguy]

34c has a lot of fans.

Gillette Super Speeds are great too.

Then there is the (___________) fill in the blank.

I'm telling now. Everyone thinks they can master their RAD.

But there are few who can, turn, go now and don't look back, for it is perilous.

[armenakadino]

I would love a vintage gillette but I would never use it it would be a display piece. I'm just too scared by the idea of getting hepatitis From using an old razor

[SwimCap]

I bought the 34C (HD) as recommended strongly for newbs. Been shaving a week now, and I love it. Of course, I have nothing to compare it to except the old cartridge razors which I would never allow to touch my skin again. Good luck.

[Copierguy]

I would love a vintage gillette but I would never use it it would be a display piece. I'm just too scared by the idea of getting hepatitis From using an old razor

Welcome to B&B.

Remember that as you lift that next fork full of food while eating out.

[sandmountainslim]

I would love a vintage gillette but I would never use it it would be a display piece. I'm just too scared by the idea of getting hepatitis From using an old razor

My everyday razor is a Gillette made in the 1920's and not a hint of disease yet! lol :lol:
Wp

[Pike]

I would love a vintage gillette but I would never use it it would be a display piece. I'm just too scared by the idea of getting hepatitis From using an old razor

10 minutes in Barbacide and you could use it for surgery! It does, in fact, kill everything from aids to syphilis!
There are plenty of very nice looking gillettes from $5-25 that are very pretty yet not show pieces. You can't go wrong with a gillette!

[JPM]

Welcome to B&B.

Remember that as you lift that next fork full of food while eating out.

Ahhh! Thanks for that! :crying:

[sombra]

the 38C-series are fantastic starter razors. well balanced, beautiful, not too aggressive, not too forgiving. good for small and large faces & hands alike. i am thrilled that i started with it.

It also comes in a beautiful matte, red, and blue. all great choices. even if it doesn't end up bing your final go-to razor. it'll be a cherished part of your collection, wihtout a doubt.

:001_smile

[Batman]

hi
1904 ,nice and cheap ,good shave .
34c , another good one . good shave.

+1 - open comb

[gregdreg]

23c (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?ltr=M&t=6044) is my favorite razor period.

[BillC]

I just switched to DE shaving a couple of months ago and i'm using a long handled Merkur Progress. I've been really happy with this as a starter razor. I dialed it down to very mild for the first few shaves until I was comfortable with using a DE. Now when I want something more aggressive I can easily open it up. Adds another variable to your shave but the ability to start very mild was appealing to me.

[njpaddy]

Started with a SS, then after a few weeks bought a Merkur 34G. Great razor.

[inspectoring]

I also think that the Edwin Jagger razors are excellent first DEs.

I've not been overly impressed with the quality of the Merkurs, although I gather this has improved recently.
I agree with one - I am not impressed with quality of Merkurs.
I disagree with the second part - their quality IMHO has not improved.
I would like to add - Merkur customer service was not a pleasant experience - infact they completely disagreed to exchange their defective vision2000 razor. I would never buy merkur. Again - YMMV.

[armenakadino]

i ordered a merkur hd in gold and hope to order a mergress if i like de shaving

[theinternot]

i ordered a merkur hd in gold and hope to order a mergress if i like de shaving

Congrats on the HD. I have been around the world of DE razors (in less than 80 days!)... started with a 23c, completed the leg of the vintage DE's, and rounded the corner to the finish line with a 34c.

You just can't go wrong with either of those razors.

[Myanmar Shave]

i ordered a merkur hd in gold and hope to order a mergress if i like de shaving

Excellent choice, sir!! I am sure you will be happy with your purchase. Consider the 1904 Open Comb once you get the knack of DE shaving. You will very much like that razor also!!

Down the road consider giving some vintage razors a test drive. With simple cleaners and some 91% alcohol or Barbicide, you can confidently enjoy these items with no worry...Its a great feeling to shave with a small piece of history--when companies produced goods made to last and we made items with pride in the U.S. A SuperSpeed or a Schick Krona is wonderful tool that will give you many years or good service. It would be a shame to not experience how good these razors are.

Best of luck to you!

Marty E.

[CzechCzar]

Having run the gauntlet of (vintage) razors... Merkur 38c, Gillette in a couple differentt types of SS, including fatboy, redtip, etc., my go-to razor is now the HD. Great choice. It's super forgiving - I have not cut myself once with it, even when in a hurry - and with proper technique it gives me the closest shave of them all.

[Kevan]

I've run the gamut too. Parker, Merkur, vintage Gillette NEW, SS, adjustables....

If I were to recommend a starter razor to a Newbie, it would be one of the new Edwin Jaggers. Then when they've learned the ropes, either stick with that or upgrade to a Slant.

The Slant cured my RAD.

[armenakadino]

[QUOTE=Myanmar Shave;1700841]Excellent choice, sir!! I am sure you will be happy with your purchase. Consider the 1904 Open Comb once you get the knack of DE shaving. You will very much like that razor also!!

I heard that open combs are super agressive shavers is that true

[ek.310]

leave murkers alone if your a newbie..try a gem singe edge handle/blade combo..no neeed for special angles n such..been 3yrs..never looked back to my sold de's..try googling SE vs DE safety razors..many posts

[psychlopath]

Well..just my suggestion, but...it depends on what you wanna do.

If you wanna keep buying razors, I suggest their popular "Not Futur," model.

If you want to just buy one, I suggest their "Futur," model.

[funkyb]

I love my 34C.

[bamamckay]

23c

[bcalvary]

Get a 37C or 39C slant Merkur and use Feather blades. You are going to get it one day anyway. This way you only have to buy it once. The ultimate shave combo.............

[Jim1968]

I definitely love the 34C. I the balance and control are great. I would recommend it to a newbie.

[pauls51]

Another vote for the 34C. Was my first razor and is still in my rotation.

And a vote out to the Mergress if you want to go for adjustability.. I've got my eye on one for the new year

[Mr.G]

38C is a great razor. Check out the reviews... http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=19468

[scottish steve]

I know it might be difficult, but it makes a difference if you can go to a store and pick them up. The 1904 looks pretty crappy in most photos, but I've just come back from the Glasgow Shaver Centre and handled what the sales-girl decribed as a "1942" and was amazed at how much I love the handle. Ok, its still the same badly-made screw-on head and they aparently don't sell the handle separately (the 3-piece Merks' thread fits a Tech head) but now I'd consider buying a 1904 just to put the English head from my fat-handled Tech on it. To be honest tho, if you're a beginner I'd recommend getting a really good cdtn Ball-end Tech from the B/S/T for $15. You really could use only that razor for the rest of your life and have no need to replace it or use anything else.