Merkur Classic Razor

[Double Edge Paddy]

Hi folks,

Quick question. I think I may have already asked this one here but I can't find the post!!

I have Merkur Classic razor which I bought in a chemists near Manchester a year or two ago. It was the only safety razor they had and was sitting in a plastic Merkur case like the one a Progress might come in. T'was mighty cheap and so I picked it up.

I have noticed that occasionally when loading blades there is quite a bit of play in the blade position before the razor is tightened up. Sometimes I really need to be careful that the blade is aligned correctly (both in terms of it being parallel to the razors edge and in terms of there being the same amount of blade exposed on each side) before I give the whole thing it's last twist to secure the whole lot. The most significant problems have been with feather blades which I think you will agree have the potential to be quite significant indeed!!

So, is it just my razor? Was it possibly not stored well before I got my hands on it and it's now a little battered? Or is this normal for this type of razor??

Thinking of getting myself an early Christmas present of a HD, so your answers could affect the level of Christmas cheer I feel over the holidays!

Thanks everyone!

P.S. I realize that the HD os just the heavier version of the Classic, but I feel the extra weight could help my technique....

[AACJ]

I've never had that issue with any of my Merkurs except for the Slant bar. All the others are tight as a glove with no movement.

[Magruder]

I just checked my Merkur Classic. The threaded post and the two studs fit the holes in the Derby blade just about perfectly. There's no room for adjusting the fit, or for the blade to slide around. How does the blade fit on yours? Is it a good fit on any of the three verticals?

What blades do you use? You mentioned Feathers, and you're using other blades, so it's apparently an issue with the razor head and not with the blades.

I'm surprised to hear about this.

[Double Edge Paddy]

The greatest problems have been with Feathers. (mind you, I have only used two blades so far...) Wilkinson Sword blades occasionally give similar problems. I have just loaded the razor with an Israeli Personna and I would say that with the blade sitting in the top section of the razor on it's own (on all three posts) I can move the blade about 1/2mm to 2/3mm side to side lengthwise and maybe 1/2mm up and down. It is a substantial amount. I'll try to post some pictures if I can.

It would be fair to say that probably every blade I have used in this razor would move to some extent, just some blades cause more trouble than others.

If your Classic leaves no room for a Derby to move, then it must obviously be my particular razor.

I have heard complaints about the engineering tolerances of Merkurs in the past. I would be very interested to hear if anyone else has ever had similar problems to this before.

Looks like a new razor might not be a bad idea after all. Surely this problem must have the ability to now and again affect the quality of shave I receive.

Thanks for the info..

[bluenose]

When I decided to get back into DE shaving I bought a Merkur classic. The blade exposure wasn't equal on both sides. One side has noticeably more of the blade exposed than the other. By the time I noticed it, it was too late to return it for a replacement - it was an internet order. I haven't used it since I bought some Gillette Superspeeds. No problems with the +50 year old razors. If I was to get another Merkur, it would be in person so I could check the blade exposure prior to buying.

Regards

[vespergo]

hmmm, i've had three merkurs and so far i haven't had any problems with blade play or uneveness. i'd see if you can return it for another one.

[Double Edge Paddy]

Might be a bit late to return it. I have it about 18 months now!

I know of just one place here in Dublin that actually sells Merkurs. I'll need to pop down there and have a look at a new razor in the flesh as it were.

Can anyone tell me how the method of loading blades into the HD is different from the Classic? I believe the HD is 2 piece while the Classic is 3 piece. Would the HD design make misalignment less likely?

[merkurguy]

I would imagine a three piece would give you more room for error in comparison to the HD.A 2 piece has less moving parts so there would be less play.My HD I just purchased has no problems with razor play. I would get an HD. Look at first though and bring some razor blades too.

[TX Shane]

I've always been curious about this too since I've had a similar experience with my HD. I just thought it was part of the DE shaving experience -- i.e., I just thought that you had to be careful to line up your blade as evenly as possible before screwing it down tight. Since blades protrude a litte on the non-cutting edges, I always try to line the blade up by using those edges to make adjustments before tightening it up.

It's interesting to know that I may have a defective razor after all this time.

[kwk285]

You can never go wrong adding another razor.

[SilkySmooth]

I have the same problem on occasion with my Progress. That's mainly why I use a Fatboy now.



==Tom

[cr8n]

I have a Classic and an HD.

The classic comes in a nice case, but it does still come apart in 3 pieces.

The HD design is 2 piece. Hard to understand til you see both. The HD undoes from the bottom, and the top cover (I guess you'd call it) comes off. The bottom mechanism is a lot like the TTO mechanism on a Gillette if you're familiar with them.

The HD is the standard around here, but I'd have to say, the lighter weight and agility of the Classic makes for a slightly better shave between my fingers.

You've got a Classic? IF it's functioning properly, you're not missing anything by not having an HD.

Hey, buy one anyway. You won't believe me. (I didn't buy it either.)

Paul