Beware of Mehaz MRC0056 and 58 Razors

I have been wanting to get into wet shaving with a straight razor for some time, and had been practising with a magic razor thus far. So toady I went and bought my first razor, since I'm working with a budget I purchased a Mehaz MRC0056 from a local beauty supply store.

When compared to the Dorco double edge blades I put in my safty razor this Mehaz razor feels like a butter knife; it can't even cut paper let alone hair.

Perhapse when I get my Norton 4000/8000 honing stone and strop I can practise getting my honing and stroping skills down before I purchase a real quality razor.

I also called and spoke to Spilo the owners of Mehaz and they told me that these two razors have been discontinued as they are having quality control issues with the manufacturer. They assured me that they are manufactured in Solingen, Germany and not in Pakistan

Some of the not-so-great razor makers use this ploy by saying they are manufactured in Solingen,when in fact they are only assembled there.Thats a far cry from being forged and ground there.I don't know that to be a fact about yours,but I have heard that before on this forum.

Beyond the quality aspects, were was it truly shave ready? I realize you are on a budget, but you should check out the classifieds. You can get some very nice razors for a quite reasonable price. Perhaps a seller can work something out for you.

The reason I mention the classifieds is that you can get a shave ready razor for less than the cost of purchasing the Norton 4000/8000 hone and trying to develop your honing skills in addition to learning your shaving skills. In addition to the razor you will need the following at a minimum:

1. Strop (hanging the best, but paddle will work)
2. Shave soap/cream (personal choice)
3. Brush (from less than $10 to obscene prices)

Yesterday my Norton stone arrived, with the hanging strop. I had to hone this Mehaz razor for about 3 hours (Im not kidding) on the 4000 grit before it would cut the hair on the back of my hand.

I had to remove so much metal that if you look at the spine it looks like a razor used for 50 years. Also on one side of the razor is bevel is not uniform, its thicker in the middle than on either end. It was like that before I even began honing, so I think that at least on that side the contour of the surface is not even.

I then honed it for about 10 strokes on the 8000 and then stroped, both on the cloth and leather.

I prepared my stubble, worked up a good lather and began to shave. I think that it shaved about 1/5 of my face and then I could feel the razor getting dull. When shaving with the grain it felt like it was catching the hair, pulling it and then hacking it off. I even tried going against the grain and it was useless, the hair would just bend backwards.

At least I'm learning how to hone and strop, but for $45.00 that I paid out this thing wasnt in anyway worth it. I going to save up for a TI.

Sounds like you either a) didn't set the bevel well; b) over-honed the razor; c) didn't hone the razor enough; d) you got stuck with a crappy razor that doesn't hold an edge... Bummer!
I suggest you check the classifieds and purchase a nice vintage razor, really shave ready. For 50 USD you can get a great razor there... either way, you have yourself a nice box cutter or a letter opener.
My thoughts only... I'm no expert!
Good luck!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dshafie

Yesterday my Norton stone arrived, with the hanging strop. I had to hone this Mehaz razor for about 3 hours (Im not kidding) on the 4000 grit before it would cut the hair on the back of my hand.

I had to remove so much metal that if you look at the spine it looks like a razor used for 50 years. Also on one side of the razor is bevel is not uniform, its thicker in the middle than on either end. It was like that before I even began honing, so I think that at least on that side the contour of the surface is not even.

I then honed it for about 10 strokes on the 8000 and then stroped, both on the cloth and leather.

I prepared my stubble, worked up a good lather and began to shave. I think that it shaved about 1/5 of my face and then I could feel the razor getting dull. When shaving with the grain it felt like it was catching the hair, pulling it and then hacking it off. I even tried going against the grain and it was useless, the hair would just bend backwards.

At least I'm learning how to hone and strop, but for $45.00 that I paid out this thing wasnt in anyway worth it. I going to save up for a TI.

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Did it originally look like someone had put a knife bevel on it rather than a straight razor bevel (i.e a double bevel)?

It sounds like you were sold a Pakistani blade. They are known never to take an edge. Stop wasting your time on this razor. Many members sell good used razors from known manufacturers on the B/S/T. You should be able to find a no frills razor for $50.

Good luck.

I speak from experience. Lost cause. Sorry.