Some questions about the Merkur Line

[MajesticMoose]

I have recently bought the merkur 38c and it shaves pretty well. Whenever I haven't shaved for a couple of days, this razor, with personna red's, will get me a BBS shave in about 4 passes. However, when shaving the next day, I cannot get a BBS, even after 5-6 passes and blade buffing. I have rather thick stubble that lies close around the neck and the jaw line. Anyway, i was thinking about getting the open comb version of the 38, i believe its the 12c. My question is the head of the barber poles, such as the 38's and the 12's, different from the HD styles? I know the barber poles are larger and heavier, but if the 11c, the open comb HD, has the same head, i would buy it because it is cheaper. Any clarification would be much appreciated!

[dpm802]

The heads are the same between the various Merkur lines, just the handles are different.

What you say about getting BBS with a 3-day stubble, but you can't get it on a day-to-day basis, is not uncommon. Many people have noticed the same thing. It may have something to do with giving your skin time to heal in-between shaves, or the extra length of the stubble gives the blade more hair to bite into.

If you regularly go 3 days between shaves, I would recommend a Slant razor instead of an open-comb. The 39C does an outstanding job when it has lots of stubble to harvest. It is my favorite razor, and gives me the smoothest, closest shave out of everything I own. BBS in 2.5 passes, every time. Alas, it doesn't do so well as a daily shaver, but I keep the HD handy for that task.

[ateace]

It is misleading when you get that fantastic BBS shave after resting your face for a couple of days. You think you've cracked the secret shaving code and every shave for the rest of your life will be BBS bliss.:biggrin:

Then, you shave two days in a row and you feel like you're back to square one. :mad:

I guess that's what keeps us coming back.

[The Cockroach King]

I have recently bought the merkur 38c and it shaves pretty well. Whenever I haven't shaved for a couple of days, this razor, with personna red's, will get me a BBS shave in about 4 passes. However, when shaving the next day, I cannot get a BBS, even after 5-6 passes and blade buffing. I have rather thick stubble that lies close around the neck and the jaw line. Anyway, i was thinking about getting the open comb version of the 38, i believe its the 12c. My question is the head of the barber poles, such as the 38's and the 12's, different from the HD styles? I know the barber poles are larger and heavier, but if the 11c, the open comb HD, has the same head, i would buy it because it is cheaper. Any clarification would be much appreciated!

i think that razors that need 5-6 passes are not good for the skin- sounds like you need a different blade.

[Darjeeling Express]

Groucho (DPM), I'm just venturing into the Merkur world myself. I never knew all the head types were the same and just the handles varied. What are your favorites. I tried the Barberpole 38c and thought it was amazing. I love the handle of the HD is there a super sized HD, like a Merkur version of the the Big Fellow?

[Fernando]

It is misleading when you get that fantastic BBS shave after resting your face for a couple of days. You think you've cracked the secret shaving code and every shave for the rest of your life will be BBS bliss.:biggrin:

Then, you shave two days in a row and you feel like you're back to square one. :mad:

I guess that's what keeps us coming back.

- It seems i'm not alone with this.

[dpm802]

Groucho (DPM), I'm just venturing into the Merkur world myself. I never knew all the head types were the same and just the handles varied. What are your favorites. I tried the Barberpole 38c and thought it was amazing. I love the handle of the HD is there a super sized HD, like a Merkur version of the the Big Fellow?

Merkur offers several options for a Straight-Bar head with a BarberPole handle ... the 38C, and its fraternal siblings, 38R, and 38B. The differences are only in the color of the handle, those being Chrome, Red, and Blue.

Merkur also makes some "novelty" handles. You can view their entire line-up at www.dovo.com/_english/merkur.html (http://www.dovo.com/_english/merkur.html)

I have four Merkurs. In order of preference:
39C (Sledgehammer Slant)
34G (HD in Gold)
700 (Futur Satin finish)
570 (Progress with case)

I collect vintage Gillettes (and other brands.) But I shave exclusively with modern Merkurs.

[BullGoose]

I think you may need to try a sharper blade. The Red Personas are fairly smooth but they are far from the sharpest blade on the block. Try a Gillette Yellow, Gillette Black, Super Iridium or a Feather.

[Darjeeling Express]

Thank you Groucho.

[MajesticMoose]

Thanks for all your advice everyone. Using a Feather worked very well for me tonight, got a very close, enjoyable shave (Feather didn't butcher like many say, mostly because it worked the way it should and I didn't have to try any stunts like I do with cheaper blades). However, still took me 5 passes and additional attention to neck and jawline for close shave. That many passes seems like a lot to me and gave a fair burn with alcohol AS, may look into open comb in future. Thanks again.