Thread: A bit of advice needed please :)

Just got my Merkur 37c slant today and took it for a short spin with a feather blade. An ATG and a XTG shave quicky. Initial impression is that it is a good shaver and less aggressive than the Muhle R41 2013 that I use with the same feather blade. A long trial with the 37c should be able to tell me how close it will come to the Muhle R41 for closeness and how long the shave lasts.

I have no idea how the 37c slant got such a rep for aggressiveness as it shave like a regular DE non slant to me. If you are used to DEs and have good technique this could be a very nice DE for you. Goob knurling on the handle so the grip feels very secure.

Bob

Originally Posted by BobH

Just got my Merkur 37c slant today and took it for a short spin with a feather blade. An ATG and a XTG shave quicky. Initial impression is that it is a good shaver and less aggressive than the Muhle R41 2013 that I use with the same feather blade. A long trial with the 37c should be able to tell me how close it will come to the Muhle R41 for closeness and how long the shave lasts.

I have no idea how the 37c slant got such a rep for aggressiveness as it shave like a regular DE non slant to me. If you are used to DEs and have good technique this could be a very nice DE for you. Goob knurling on the handle so the grip feels very secure.

Bob

Couldn't agree more...having shaved with several vintage DE's both fixed and adjustable, I was expecting the 37c to be an entirely different experience in DE shaving. When I saw it, first realizing that it wasn't in fact warped LOL, that was the slant part, I thought this looks like it could be very interesting. It looked potentially very aggresive.

Upon shaving with it using a Lord blade, I couldn't really tell the difference between it an my other DE's.

Having used it a few more times with a Gillette Platinum blade, it was in fact the closest shave I've had aside from a straight, irritation around the neck area was almost non-existent, and I actually used the same passes with it, WTG, XTG and ATG...was quite nice.

Only difference was, still nothing, for me at least, lasts as long as a straight shave, but this was the best as far as DE's along with matching a good blade with the handle.

I usually shave with SRs, but have several DE as back-ups. I got a Maggard with a heavy stainless handle a few weeks ago and loved it, BUT, the head required me to be very careful when I tightened it to make sure the blade was centered...so I was shopping for a head only. Found a Muhle R41 2013 head "al la carte" at Bullgoose and got it yesterday. Used it this morning and while it is different in that it is kind of open comb, I found that I got a great, very close shave with no discomfort or irritation. I love the combo of a very heavy stainless handle and the Muhle R41 design. Maybe i paid more attention than I usually do with a DE, but I was using a Personna blade and got better than a DF shave, easily. I expected it to be much more aggressive. I'd recommend it if you know your way around a DE.

Originally Posted by BeJay

Going from a Tech to a 37c or r41 is a pretty big jump. Tech's are some of the mildest razors around and you're looking at some of the most aggressive razors. It could be that really aggressive works for you, but I would suggest going to a middle of the road razor next. The Razorock Mission is an inexpensive DE with medium aggression.

This is the only DE I own and really not looking to update. I get great shaves from this and the price can't be beat. Of course YMMV, but I absolutely love it. My favorite blades so far are a Feather and an Astra. Both seem to fit better than the most of the other blades I have tried.