New Merkur 1904

[deruitem]

I got the 1904 open comb for Christmas. I have only shaven with it a few times and only with Gillette yellows so far. I like it but it seems to take a little more work to get as close as I did with my EJ89L. I think it will get better after I learn a little more on what works with the 1904.

What do you think about the Merkur 1904?

[itsmedave]

I have one and love it. Change your angle a bit and it will get every bit as close as your EJ. I've discovered that open combs work best for me at a 40 degree angle or so.

[Sledgehammer39]

Congrats, it's a sweet razor!

[Optometrist]

I have never loved open comb razors, always preferring the closed variety that seem to give me a closer shave. When I switched to straights some 6 months ago, I sold all my DEs except for my 1904 42. I love it for its quality, its looks, and of course, its shave.

[deruitem]

I have one and love it. Change your angle a bit and it will get every bit as close as your EJ. I've discovered that open combs work best for me at a 40 degree angle or so.

I will have to give this a shot, thanks for the tip

[Sfbagger]

Not only do I get a good shave, but the open comb 1904 looks terrific, with the old time style and nickel plate. I have both the open and closed comb versions and like 'em both.

Jeff

[dreadpirate]

Nice!

[Batman]

Had an OC, loved it except the handle. Too slippery.

[penan]

I have the 1904 closed combed and love it. For me it's better than the EJ89

[ateace]

My last two shaves have been with the closed comb 1904. Great looking and very effective razor.
I understand that the open comb version may be a bit milder, but there are great shaves to be had with that one as well.

Nice to see the 1904s getting some love.

[dpmtherrien]

The 1904 is my go to DE razor. I have both the OC and the safety bar. I find them to be the best DE's.

[deruitem]

What blade do you 1904 users use?

[mandoman]

Congrats enjoy it

[ateace]

What blade do you 1904 users use?

I'm using a Vietnam Gillette Super Thin in my closed comb 1904.
Great combo for me.

[Dtwitch19]

I love my OC 1904. I've used many blades with it such as Personna Red's, Med's, and Lab's, Sharks and Astras. All worked great.

[Alraz]

Every razor is different, you will get used to it.

Al raz.

[deruitem]

I tried it with a feather yesterday. It may not have been my best shave ever but it was very close, almots complete BBS. The one interesting thing to me is that the razor seems to have little to no gap between base, blade and head. The gap is very small

[_MementoMori_]

I'm not a huge fan of Merkur in general, but their 1904 is an incredible razor and in my opinion the best one they produce.

[D.Jackson]

I have the closed comb. It was the first DE I ever bought, and I love it. I have a handful of razors, but the 1904 is the one I use 99% of the time. I love everything about it. The old-timey looking handle and nickel plating make it look awesome. I use tons of different blades, but some of my faves are Astra SP, Astra SS, Voskhod teflon coated, Bolzano, and Gillette Silver Blue.

[deruitem]

2 days ago I used a feather in the 1904 and got a great shave. Today not so much. I dont know if its the feather on a second shave or just an off day. Razor burn on the neck and a couple of weapers. I think I will not be using feathers anymore, one good shave for the price is not worth it for me. At least not when you can get as good of a shave with other blades

[deruitem]

Good shave today with the 1904. I used it with a blue personna (USA) and removed my gotee. I like it but it will take sometimes to get a BBS with it I think

[dreadpirate]

The 1904 Open Comb is a great DE. One minor criticism is that I think it's a bit light; but that's my opinion and some shavers may like the weight. It's a very good looking razor. I like the nickel finish. It's a keeper.

[Batman]

Anyone know if other handles are compatible, other than going to Cooncat?

[deruitem]

I think the EJ89 fits

[deruitem]

anyone have any 1904 tips? I used a Astra SP a couple of times and seem to be getting either a not close shave a irritation

[will78]

I had the 1904 closed comb as my first DE razor. Unfortunately I dropped it and the threaded post separated from the cap, thus rendering it unusable. I still have the guard and handle parts of it.

The only feature of this razor I liked was the shape of the handle. I used this razor for long enough to hone my DE technique to an effective level, but i was never able to get a decent shave from it. The nickel plating on my razor was badly applied, and parts of the razor became easily scratched and corroded. I also found the handle too short for my liking.

I was considering buying another one, but instead thought I would try the Mühle R89. When I received it I was stunned! For me it was like getting out of a Ford and getting into a Rolls Royce! Shaveablility aside, the precision of manufacture in the Mühle and flawless mirror-like chrome plating was a huge contrast to the quality of the Merkur.

The 1904 is cheap, but an R89 or DE89 only costs £10 more. Also, I have no idea why they call it a "1904"- it's a totally different design to the double ring Gillette of 1904.

Not the razor for me.

[Azarius]

I love the 1904 OC, it has become second only to my NEW's. The blades that I have used in mine are the Lord Platinum Class, the Gillette 7 O'Clock Blacks, and the Supermax Super Platinums, each bladed provided a great shave, although I prefer the Lords slightly in this razor.

I find this razor to be great for the two pass and buffing technique that I use for my daily shaving.