Merkur 1904 Finish or is it 1906?

**slantman** · 01-21-2010, 06:53 AM

Is the Merkur 1904 finished in nickel or chrome? Some vendors say nickel and some say chrome. Also some call it the 1904 and some 1906. I am confused

**ShaveAddict** · 01-21-2010, 07:31 AM

I had a 1904 and i am pretty sure it's chrome finish.
In my opinion, it's the best non-adjustable razor, even better than the HD.

**ateace** · 01-21-2010, 07:58 AM

The 1904 razors are actually finished in nickel (I have both the open comb and safety bar versions).

They're beautiful razors and great shavers that seem to get overshadowed by the others.

**EFaden** · 01-21-2010, 11:36 AM

Wow... I have a 34C HD and am curious about the 1904.....

**JPM** · 01-21-2010, 11:48 AM

Originally Posted by ShaveAddict

I had a 1904 and i am pretty sure it's chrome finish.
In my opinion, it's the best non-adjustable razor, even better than the HD.

+1. I have it in the open comb version and it is awesome.

**cooncatbob** · 01-21-2010, 11:50 AM

If a plated item has a very white bluish cast to it it's chrome, if it has a warmer slightly bronzish cast to it then it's nickel.

**slantman** · 01-21-2010, 11:54 AM

What I have read it has a similar head to other 3 piece Merkurs and reviews indicate most guys like it. I am still not sure if its finished in nickel or chrome as there seems to be disagreement. I do know that the HD is a much heavier razor and considered 2 piece because of the split washer on the spindle. A little trickery that Merkur does to some of their razors.

**Bertilak** · 01-21-2010, 01:12 PM

The one I bought about a year ago was nickel. I like that more than chrome -- a warmer more refined look. I don't know if there really is a choice or if the chrome description is simply wrong, but if you are looking at two different vendors and one says nickel and the other chrome I advise going for the nickel.

1904 is the year of a major (first?) Gillette patent so 1904 is probably more correct -- except that Merkur didn't name it that. Somewhere along the line it was picked up as a nickname, much like Barber Pole. At least that is what I heard from a vendor when I asked if the 1904 and 1906 were somehow different. Probably some distributor's marketing idea. Point being, there really is no correct answer although 1904 is much more common.

**slantman** · 01-21-2010, 01:15 PM

OK that makes sense. So its a 1904 with nickel finish.

Thank you very much for the clarification

**dpmtherrien** · 01-21-2010, 01:23 PM

It doesn't really matter at all to me. The 1904 is my go to DE razor. I think it tops any other DE. I say this after trying out over 12 other razors. I sold all the others and now have my 1904's in both safety bar and open comb. My back up DE is the HD, also in safety bar and open comb. That 1904 sure is an overlooked razor.

**glassmtn99** · 01-21-2010, 02:31 PM

Once you have gained experience with the 1904, IMHO it shaves as well as any Merkur fixed razor.

eric.

VR6ofpain · 01-21-2010, 05:58 PM

My understanding was it was made in both Chrome and Nickel. I never bought one, as I could not be 100% sure I was getting a nickel one.

**Groundhog** · 01-21-2010, 06:19 PM

Lee says it's nickel on his site.
http://www.leesrazors.com/products/M...ety-Razor.html

So does Best Grooming Tools...
http://bestgroomingtools.com/1904-ha...kur-p-223.html

John says his is chrome.
http://westcoastshaving.com/index.ph...products_id=51

Classic Shaving doesn't say.
http://www.classicshaving.com/catalo...941/343043.htm

Neither does Charles.....
http://www.qedusa.com/merkur-merkur-...azor-p-58.html

Who knows for sure. I was surprised to learn that it might be nickel...I just assumed all Merkurs were chrome. I may have to get one.

**DunEdinRanger** · 01-21-2010, 06:25 PM

Originally Posted by Groundhog

Lee says it's nickel on his site.
http://www.leesrazors.com/products/M...ety-Razor.html

So does Best Grooming Tools...
http://bestgroomingtools.com/1904-ha...kur-p-223.html

John says his is chrome.
http://westcoastshaving.com/index.ph...products_id=51

Classic Shaving doesn't say.
http://www.classicshaving.com/catalo...941/343043.htm

Neither does Charles.....
http://www.qedusa.com/merkur-merkur-...azor-p-58.html

Who knows for sure. I was surprised to learn that it might be nickel...I just assumed all Merkurs were chrome. I may have to get one.

Vintage Blades says Nickel - http://www.vintagebladesllc.com/vsho...cat=129&page=1

**Myanmar Shave** · 01-21-2010, 07:23 PM

I, like many others here started off with the HD as my first DE razor and it is a good choice. Had I started with the 1904 Open Comb first I may have never been interested in trying other razors.

I get consistently great shaves--smooth and very comfortable everytime. It shines with a Derby or Astra in it and its a pleasure to use. Can't rate it highly enough...

Marty E.

**EFaden** · 01-22-2010, 04:58 AM

Originally Posted by Myanmar Shave

I, like many others here started off with the HD as my first DE razor and it is a good choice. Had I started with the 1904 Open Comb first I may have never been interested in trying other razors.

I get consistently great shaves--smooth and very comfortable everytime. It shines with a Derby or Astra in it and its a pleasure to use. Can't rate it highly enough...

Marty E.

I'm actually curious to try an open comb and compare it to a straight bar...

**Hawkeye5** · 01-22-2010, 05:52 AM

No idea what plating is on my 1904. I will say it has the best finish of any Merkur razor I've ever owned.

**talibeard** · 01-22-2010, 06:25 AM

The 41 and 42 (1904 is a fantasy name, but not by Merkur!) are only available in a nickel plating. There is a pdf download at the DOVO website.

**gaj90027** · 01-22-2010, 01:10 PM

The 1904 open comb is one of my only remaining DE razors, beautiful to look at, feels great in my hands and shaves like a dream.

I only have 2 more DE's I am tempted to try, a slant and an EJ DE89L.

**slantman** · 01-23-2010, 12:21 PM

I actually received mine today. Amazingly it took only 2 days for delivery. I got the straight bar(42). The razor does look chrome plated. Whats very strange is all the advertisements claim it weights 1.7 oz but I put it on my very accurate postal scale and it weighs 2.3 oz which is very close to an HD. The head looks like a HD head as well. I ran a Feather in it for a one pass shave. Very nice. Tomorrow will be more of a test as I will have more to shave.

I am wondering if Merkur has changed the razor and added weight to it. Beautiful razor overall.