Isn't she pretty? Tips please.

[KcHighLife]

My "new to me" Merkur 38C arrived today. That is one good looking razor IMHO. One of the few razors that I will be using that are not vintage. What say you?
257744257745

The real question is how does it shave? It is a lot heavier than I knew. I have seen somewhere at sometime (can't remember when or where) that it is a little on the aggressive side. Anyone? I've already got it loaded for a run in the morning :biggrin1:.
Thanks in advance!

[bobfarvour]

I love your faucet !!

And yes, that is one fine looking razor. I prefer moderns to vintages myself.

[Triad]

Use no pressure youll be fine its not real aggressive. I love the look of the barberpoles screams awesome!!

[KcHighLife]

I love your faucet !!

And yes, that is one fine looking razor. I prefer moderns to vintages myself.
Thanks, SWMBO's the one to compliment...that's her department.

I am pretty sure this will only make about the 5th new one for me.

[KcHighLife]

Use no pressure youll be fine its not real aggressive. I love the look of the barberpoles screams awesome!!
I didn't figuire it was to aggressive for me to handle either way...guess I'll find out.
I know what you mean about the barberpole, adds a ton of weight too!

[ERVARGASNY]

That Raozr looks hot, but that faucet is freeking awesome :o)

[Rschan]

That Raozr looks hot, but that faucet is freeking awesome :o)

+1 Cool

[KcHighLife]

That Raozr looks hot, but that faucet is freeking awesome :o)

Good thing I didn't catch my other half's matching faucet...it doesn't get the daily wipedown mine does! :thumbup:

Thanks!

[dieselfuel79]

Nice looking piece indeed. Looks like my 39c with the barberpole handle.

[KcHighLife]

Nice looking piece indeed. Looks like my 39c with the barberpole handle.


I really like the looks of them. That 39C is a pretty one for sure. I want a slant pretty bad but, I thought I might go to the 37.

[Sled Dog]

No tips..but that is a nice looking razor, like the handle alot! Cool brush stand too!

[smalltank]

If the razor has increased blade gap..and is rated very aggressive..use a mild blade

[cb91710]

It's somewhere between the Muhle '89 and '41
My first couple of shaves with it were bloody, but that was with a Derby.
I went to an R41, equally bloody with the Derby, but mellowed out with the Astra SP and 7:00-Yellow.

[5savages]

It is a great razor! I have the 38M (matte finish) and in my limited experience, I find it to me middle of the road (in my VERY limited experience). A tech is milder. A SABI is more aggressive.

I have found Voskhods, Personna Supers, and PolSilvers work great in mind. Astras are ok.

[catherix]

It's a great razor IMO. I'm a bit limited on the experience side but have shaved with it for most of the last two months. I don't feel it's too aggressive and have enjoyed my shaves with it. I preferred sharks and med preps in it but I've only tried a handful of blades. Hope you like yours as much as I like mine! Enjoy the shaves!

[Josh_WA]

I have a 38c as my first razor (because it arrived before my HD) I love it. For me the extra weight reminds me not to use any pressure. I believe the head is the same as a HD but I might be wrong. It's a great razor.

[StubbleShaver]

I have the 39C and all the extra weight just makes me more scared! :001_unsur

[jkingrph]

Pretty, just like mine.

When I started with it I thought it too aggressive, lots of cuts, scrapes and weepers. I used it, put it up went back and tried again, same experience. I would stay away from it anywhere from 3-6 weeks. I kept at it though and finally something clicked. Now I think of it as mild and it is my most regularlly used razor, the one I compare others too.

[Sledgehammer39]

She looks great, enjoy many great shaves with it!

[deafficianado]

I have an gold HD and a 39c, but not the 38c. I love the barber pole handle with it's good grip, length, and weight. It's a shame that the bottom half of the head is attached to the handle. I was contemplating a similar substitute with a Parker barber pole 3 piece just so I can use the handle.

[fcdiscus]

Simply put- it is a fantastic razor! As far as agressive- remember the saying-:guns don't kill people- people kill people with guns!" Razors are agressive only to the pooint that any blade can cut you if you don't know how to use it and show it proper respect!

[KcHighLife]

Simply put- it is a fantastic razor! As far as agressive- remember the saying-:guns don't kill people- people kill people with guns!" Razors are agressive only to the pooint that any blade can cut you if you don't know how to use it and show it proper respect!
Great advice!

[demaro]

The 38c was the forst De I got when I started 3 years ago. . It will always remain in my rotation.. I live it , smooth , close shaver !!!

[KcHighLife]

No tips..but that is a nice looking razor, like the handle alot! Cool brush stand too!
Thanks! I've gotten quite a few compliments on it. It is a Calvin Klein that I got at Macy's on clearance for $5 about 8 or 10 years ago. I rarely keep an actual razor in it though, I have several so I keep them in a seperate cabinet. The boar brush that came with it has really started shedding so I rarely use it either. I am planning on putting a badger knot in it because the weight of it is super heavy...just haven't done it.

[5savages]

It's a shame that the bottom half of the head is attached to the handle. I was contemplating a similar substitute with a Parker barber pole 3 piece just so I can use the handle.

That's one of the aspects I really like about it. I prefer the 2 piece to the 3 piece design.

[KcHighLife]

The 38c was the forst De I got when I started 3 years ago. . It will always remain in my rotation.. I live it , smooth , close shaver !!!
I've been debating on using it this morning. I have been working on goatee stubble for about a week now...would be a perfect time...and it's already loaded! :thumbup:

[KcHighLife]

Thanks for all the tips, especially the bade suggestions. I had it loaded with a cheapy blade (I bought 300 at once) that I have used a lot over the years and am very familiar with, the DORCO ST301. However, after the tips I am thinking about an Israeli Personna...one of my goto's.

[TheLegalRazor]

This was my 1st DE and the gateway into this great hobby. The weight does take some getting used to. I've never seen it as a particularly aggressive shaver, at least not with the Derby blades I typically use. I haven't tried it with Feathers.

[KcHighLife]

This was my 1st DE and the gateway into this great hobby. The weight does take some getting used to. I've never seen it as a particularly aggressive shaver, at least not with the Derby blades I typically use. I haven't tried it with Feathers.
I have both of those blades also but, I didn't use it this morning. I opted for a straight.

[man00ver]

The 34C is what I learned with, and it's a great, moderate razor. Not being particularly fond of long handles, I never tried the 38C, but considering the depth of your den I'm sure you won't have any trouble with it, Chris!

I bought the 37C Slant to match my HD, and now that's pretty much all I reach for when it's "Merkur Time!" So, enjoy it while you can.... :001_smile

[Pietro]

This was the first razor I bought when I started DE shaving 2 or 3 years ago. Its still the only razor I use. I've tried other razors but I always come back to the 38c. I usually use American Safety Razor blades with it because they work well for me. I tried using Derby blades with it but I get a lot of tug and pull with them. I used a feather for the first time with my 38c, the day before yesterday, and it felt good so I will try feathers blades for a few weeks. I hope you enjoy your 38c.

[rxonmymind]

Old & new at the same time. Beautiful razor.

[KcHighLife]

The 34C is what I learned with, and it's a great, moderate razor. Not being particularly fond of long handles, I never tried the 38C, but considering the depth of your den I'm sure you won't have any trouble with it, Chris!

I bought the 37C Slant to match my HD, and now that's pretty much all I reach for when it's "Merkur Time!" So, enjoy it while you can.... :001_smile
The Den is getting pretty deep. Although, I haven't added to much since we did The Oldest To Newest Challenge last year. Ok, not "that" many more! I've really been thinking about a slant for a while now, might just have to pull my stingy trigger finger on one!

[KcHighLife]

Old & new at the same time. Beautiful razor.
Isn't it?!