Merkur Classic v. HD

[bokaba]

Are there any significant differences between these razors?

[Robxcarlson]

I believe the head is the same, though the HD is two-piece and the classic is a three-piece. The HD has a fatter handle and is heavier than the classic.
I have a classic and it's my favorite razor over the Gillettes I've tried. I've never used the HD, but I'm considering buying one.

[ECOSSE]

Rob, when you say 'Classic', do you mean the 1904 or the standard classic?

[Robxcarlson]

Standard classic.
But - 1904 and classic also have the same head and only the handle is different.

[talibeard]

Biggest difference will be a change in balance ; the classic models are relatively heavier at the head than the HD. For me that makes them (slightly) better shavers. Their second advantage is their price, the 3-piece models are quite a bit cheaper.
Finally the 2-piece HD (34C/G) is a lot heavier and therefore feels indestructable but has actually a less sturdy construction than the 3-piece classic models ( 33C/G-23C).
My overall winner is the classic, but not by too much.

[kuzi16]

im going through a similar debate.
my choices are all merkurs.

i was originally debating between the HD (34c) and the long handle (38c)
I guess now i will have to add the Classic (33c) and the long handle version (23c)

i do have big hands so thats why the long handles are coming into play. the long handles are only 3/4 of an inch longer. does it make that much of a difference?

[norton]

I've got:

23c - 3 piece LH classic
34c - HD classic
38c - Barberpole

All three are very capable razors.

The long handles do help - but I find that the girth of the handle and it's grip matter more. I find the 38c the easiest to keep in my hand, with the 34c 2nd. (not that any are flying around my bathroom).

Most folks here advocate the 34c as a first DE, because it's been available for a long time, and it's very hard to go wrong with it. I wound up buying one after my others , just to see what the fuss was about. I haven't sold it yet.

The 38c has the same head (34c) and shaves very well too - some say it requires a little more skill/confidence to wield than the 34c, but only because of it's weight. If you never used the 34c, how would you know?

IMO, the 23c is the most portable and easiest to clean. (Take it apart and roll it in a towel to travel). For the portability factor, it's been getting more use than the other 2. It is also the least expensive.

Hope this helps.

[cooncatbob]

The plus side to the Classic is that you can change the handle, with the HD and the 38c your stuck with what you've got.
All 3 piece razor use the same #10-32 threads so all the handle are interchangeable.

[ari95]

I have both the HD and a 1904. The shave heads are the same, but I find the 1904 to be more manuverable.

[Aaron01]

I have a Classic open comb, rebranded as Hoffritz. The head would appear to be the same as the other razors, it's just the handle that's different.

I think I prefer the HD to the Classic though.

[ateace]

I seem to be settling on the Classic. I really like the HD and love the look of the razor, but I find that the extra size and weight of the HD don't add anything to my shaves. The 1904 is really nice, too - just slightly heavier than the Classic, due to the solid handle.

[ratcheer]

My first DE was the 1904 Classic. I currently use it most of the time. My other razors are a Vision and a B&B / Jagger English Gentleman's razor. I also own, but have never shaved with, a 1930's Gillette NEW.

I do not have an HD but I want a 38C.

Tim

[ctr]

I have the 33C, 34C, and the Barberpole in my stable, all closed combs.

The 33C is lightweight and provides a feather touch. The handle is short on this 3 piece razor. The bottom of the handle is also hollow, all the way up the shaft. It is nicely finished, though not as nice as some. An excellent razor, and particularly good for sensative skin with most blades due to the light weight.

The 34C is the heavyweight version, the handle is fatter, but of similiar length. The bottom of the handle is hollow, but the shaft does not detach from the comb. Rather, twisting the knob at the bottom of the shaft unscrews the head allowing for an easy blade change. Some folks consider this safer than a 3 piece since the fingers stay away from the blade for much of the blade changing process. The 34C is heavier, so it feels more aggressive than the 33C. Add just a touch of pressure with most blades and this razor will get very aggressive.

The 38C aka Barberspole, is similiar to the 34C in that the handle is thicker, the razor is heaver, and the head is a 2 piece design. However, this is the heavist of the three with a longer handle length. As with the 34C, twisting the knob at the base of the handle unscrews the head for blade replacement. The base of the handle is closed - no hole in it.

It is really a matter of preference. Do you prefer long handles or short handles. How about weight? Each is a great razor.

[kevtex]

Are there any significant differences between these razors?

B&B ShaveWiki shows the Classic with a blade gap of (.56mm) and the HD with a (.64mm) blade gap.

http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/index...Aggressiveness