Gillette vs. Merkur

**Tom Colligan** · 04-28-2008, 07:58 PM

Hi, for a week now I've been using a brass 3 piece Gillette that I bought off eBay a week ago. I clearly have some adjusting to do since I've used an Excel and Fusion for years. Would I notice a significant improvement if I bought a Merkur over this age old Gillette? Or would you say one DE over another DE is pretty much the same tool? TIA, Tom.

**Shane27** · 04-28-2008, 08:06 PM

Welcome to B&B!

I wish I could answer you definitively, but there are so many variables involved it is tough to say. Some Gillettes are more aggressive than others, and there are many Gillettes that shave like a dream even though they are 50+ years old in a lot of cases.

Really though, I think that it is more worthwhile to invest in a good shave cream or soap and a brush to make lather with, initially. If you have not done that already, you will notice a big difference in the quality of your shaves afterward.

Also, there is a big difference in the blades themselves...just another thing to think about :)

**jkh** · 04-28-2008, 08:11 PM

Welcome to B&B, Tom.

In general, I do not think that Merkur is better than Gillette -OR- Gillette is better than Merkur. Many members like one better than the other and many find both be great shavers.

I personally had a lot of trouble with the Merkur HD. I got myself '57 Gillette Super Speed and it shaved like a dream. After honing my technique I again tried the Merkur HD to no avail. I recently acquired a Merkur Progress and it shaves just as good, if not better, than the Gillettes I have.

I would encourage you to try several of each. I have had very good luck buying razors on the Buy/Sell/Trade section of B&B and equally good luck selling razors (and other items) that were not to my liking. I strongly believe that one can try a good number of items without totally blowing the bank using this fine forum!

Shave on

PS - Get yourself a razor blade sampler pack, too!

**pizzaguy** · 04-28-2008, 08:33 PM

I would say get your skills down ------then try other razors ---I started with the HD and then tried the Gillettes and it did not work then I tried my slim ------------------------again after my learning curve came around and I now enjoy both ----------------just my two cents

Also be very careful that RAD does not get you LOL

**Aevum** · 04-28-2008, 08:44 PM

same here, didnt find my "groove" untill i started shaving with the vision, and i´ve used gillette, parker, schick, but the one that gave me the smooth shave and the least irritation is still the vision,

**drandall** · 04-28-2008, 08:59 PM

everyone is different, but i can say this...

most new wet shavers find the older gillettes (flare tipped superspeeds, ball handled techs, blue tipped superspeeds) tend to be mild and agreeable razors. they're good to start with, easy to handle and provide good results.

merkur razors are a bit more demanding, a bit more aggressive, and personally i think provide a better shave once you have enough control to really take advantage of what it has to offer. i started with an HD and perhaps it was a bit more challenging to start with, but i grew into it nicely and it's my favorite razor now.

my one suggestion is to eliminate as many unnecessary variables as possible. find a soap or cream you like, a blade and razor you like and use them religiously until you can get a good shave without effort. once your technique is solid and you KNOW what your baseline is, then you can have fun experimenting. i'd also wait to try an adjustable. start with a fixed razor to minimize the potential for problems. once you're comfortable, then go nuts!

if you're going to go vintage, i'd look here on B&B instead of ebay. the razors here will tend to be in good working order and people here will help you find a razor that works for you...unlike ebay where anything can and does happen.

**dreadpirate** · 04-28-2008, 09:19 PM

Short answer - yes they are different. I recommend you try both and discover which you like best.

**scoopster** · 04-28-2008, 11:27 PM

I would second suggestions that you should check out your first razor for several weeks (at least) before you consider rotating to a new model, especialy if you are just getting started out.

Another thing to consider is trying different blades for your razor from someone that sells samples (i.e westcoastshaving).

Of course there is nothing to stop you from getting your rext razor(s), just switching between them too quickl.

**subrosa** · 04-28-2008, 11:30 PM

This is somewhat of a funny topic as I love both my Mekur and my Gillette's for different reasons. To be honest, I have even considered doing the first pass with the Merkur Futur and the other passes with my Gillette.

**Monkeyboy** · 04-29-2008, 12:43 AM

I'm still pretty new to DE shaving and haven't been able to get a decent shave out of a Slim yet. I had better results with an HD and have had an excellent shave every time with a Vision. Surrender to the RAD....

**thirdeye** · 04-29-2008, 05:13 AM

Tom, welcome to B&B, we're glad to have you.
Personally I am a Gillette guy. I love the vitage Gillettes. I have tried a couple of the Merkurs but I just did not care for them. Many fellows here like the Merkur.
I say it's all in what works best for you. That being said, I would recommend a 40's style Gillette Superspeed, a Tech or an adjustable.
All will give you a nice close comforable shave.

There's also blade sellection. Here again, it's what works best for you.
I recommend Derby's for a newbie because they are sharp and at the same time forgiving unlike others.

Try a few diffrent combos until you find what works best. However, do try each combo for at least a week to give each of them a chance.

**Suzuki** · 04-29-2008, 06:01 AM

There are lots of different 3-piece Gillette razors - they range from quite aggressive to mild.

If you can give us some more information about the particular Gillette you are using (pictures are best!), we can give you more advice.

That being said, the old 3-piece Gillettes are very good razors and they're neither better nor worse than Merkur fixed head razors - just different.

Now, once you start talking about superspeed style razors (the ones that open with the twist mechanism, or adjustable razors, there's a ton of variability and its really a matter of personal choice.

**Newfie** · 04-29-2008, 06:01 AM

Originally Posted by dreadpirate

Short answer - yes they are different. I recommend you try both and discover which you like best.

Yeah, what he said.

Better is like beauty, it's in the eye of the belolder. You may like a Fat Boy better than a Merkur LHC, and you may like the HD better than a Gillette Slim. Others can pass on advice, but until you try yourself, you'll never know for sure.