Merkur 38C On Order.

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05-02-2015, 03:48 PM
Firefighter2

Merkur 38C On Order.

Hello All!
I just ordered my first "new" DE, the rest of my DE's being all vintage models. I went with the Merkur 38C Barbers Pole Handle, and I hope it doesn't disappoint. I chose this razor mainly for the look and weight, (tips the scales at 4.25 oz), and it seems to resemble some of my vintage Gillette's, which are all great shavers. Just about went for the 39C Sledgehammer, but I didn't want the slant. I also prefer that the 38C has no butterfly doors, IMO the simple ones are much easier to clean. Please feel free to chime in with any positive/negative critiques of my choice of Merkur. ;)
05-02-2015, 04:20 PM
BobH

Went the other way and bought the slant to get something different from my vintage Gillettes. If the slant is any example of what Merkur puts out in general you won't be disappointed. I don't think the fit and finish is quite as good as the vintage Gillettes but certainly not bad either. Hope you like it.

Bob
05-02-2015, 04:37 PM
Firefighter2

Are you happy with the way your slant performs? It looked a bit aggressive to me.
05-02-2015, 04:58 PM
BobH

Quote:

Originally Posted by Firefighter2

Are you happy with the way your slant performs? It looked a bit aggressive to me.

Yes, very happy with the way the slant performs. It may be a bit on the aggressive side but certainly nowhere near what my Muhle R41 2013 version is. It is relaxing to shave with by comparison to the R41 and comes within a whisker of the close shave I can get from the R41. If you can handle an OC vintage Gillette a Merkur slant should be no problem. The Merkur slant shaves like any other razor when you use a light touch and the right angle.

I think the slant has an undeserved reputation which may be the result of newbies to wet shaving jumping on a slant before they have their shaving technique down pat. Sorta like a newly licensed driver wrapping a Corvette around a tree and blaming the car. Nothing like proving your manliness with a hamburger face, duh.

Bob
05-02-2015, 05:02 PM
Firefighter2

Thank you for the info, Bob.
05-03-2015, 02:21 AM
RollinCoal69

I also a vintage Gillette guy. That being said I own the merkur hd in regular an slant. Both are great. Don't think you will be disappointed with your purchase. :tu
05-08-2015, 02:28 AM
Firefighter2

UPDATE:

Well, My Merkur arrived in the mail yesterday, and I shaved with it today. To my pleasure, it turned out to be an amazingly comfortable 2 pass BBS shave. I can't believe the weight to this anchor, it's much heavier & larger than all of my vintage Gillette's. Loaded it with a Shark blade, lathered up some Tabac, and capped off the shave with some Thayers Witch Hazel and Floid Blue aftershave. I'm very pleased with this particular razor, looks good, and feels good. Thanks for all the info guys!
05-08-2015, 02:54 AM
sharptonn

Cool! Make the 39C the next one, Hard to believe, but better!
05-08-2015, 03:30 AM
Firefighter2

Wow, definitely hard to believe. ;)
05-08-2015, 05:00 AM
stove

Can't speak to the 38c but after a few shaves with my Merkur progress (and EJ DE89) I got rid of my Vintage Slim and Fatboy.
05-08-2015, 12:13 PM
Firefighter2

Quote:

Originally Posted by stove

Can't speak to the 38c but after a few shaves with my Merkur progress (and EJ DE89) I got rid of my Vintage Slim and Fatboy.

I'd never get rid of my Gillettes on account of they're great shavers & I like their old age. I will buy some new models though, maybe another Merkur or EJ. :)
05-08-2015, 01:36 PM
stove

Cool. I had no attachment to mine, antique store buys, and I love my modern DE razors. I know people love em, just not me. The slim, I pifed and the fatboy I put on eBay starting at .99 cents. It sold for $100 more than I'd payed for the 2 of them.
05-09-2015, 10:47 PM
seagiant

Hi,
The Merkur 38C "Barber Pole" Razor, was my first DE after deciding to leave my Trac II and go back to the DE razors.

I use it with Crystal and Astra blades and it is a fantastic razor and my favorite!

I'm now trying the vintage Gillettes but glad I have the Merkur to compare them with!!!

I know you will enjoy it!!!
05-11-2015, 02:50 AM
Utopian

The 38C HD is the only new safety razor I ever bought. I liked it a lot but let my wife use it once and I never got it back!!!

She liked it so much the first time that she used it that she immediately transitioned to using it permanently. I did not argue about it at all.
05-11-2015, 02:22 PM
Firefighter2

Quote:

Originally Posted by Utopian

The 38C HD is the only new safety razor I ever bought. I liked it a lot but let my wife use it once and I never got it back!!!

She liked it so much the first time that she used it that she immediately transitioned to using it permanently. I did not argue about it at all.

That sounds about right! :rofl2: I guess you should have bought 2?
05-11-2015, 03:05 PM
seagiant

Hi,
To the OP, try that Merkur with an Astra blade! Just sayin!!!
05-11-2015, 05:02 PM
Firefighter2

Will do, just got a couple of packs in, the Shark in it has 2 shaves on it.
05-11-2015, 06:15 PM
BobH

If you have some Gillette Silver Blues hanging around they might be worth a try too. Been having good luck with them lately in the DEs I have tried them in.

Bob
05-11-2015, 06:37 PM
seagiant

Hi,
I was given a variety pack by a friend including a couple of Feathers.

For me the Feather was to sharp and "rough" others love them.

The Crystal was great but the Astra seemed a hair smoother???

Still looking into that, the others I tried were no good to me so dosen't matter!

Have not tried a Shark yet, but I've heard very good things about them!

They are on my short list!

Of course all of these blade critiques was with the Merkur 38C on MY face! YMMV!
05-11-2015, 07:48 PM
Haroldg48

I have the Merkur 43c which has a similar (maybe the same) head, but a stainless "bulbed" handle. I love its weight, and it's about an ounce heavier than the 38c. The weight does do a lot of the work if you let it and the head is a moderately mild one. It's my "in a hurry" razor.
05-11-2015, 08:22 PM
Firefighter2

Quote:

Originally Posted by seagiant

Hi,
I was given a variety pack by a friend including a couple of Feathers.

For me the Feather was to sharp and "rough" others love them.

The Crystal was great but the Astra seemed a hair smoother???

Still looking into that, the others I tried were no good to me so dosen't matter!

Have not tried a Shark yet, but I've heard very good things about them!

They are on my short list!

Of course all of these blade critiques was with the Merkur 38C on MY face! YMMV!

I agree with you on the Feather, the Shark is good with this razor, similar to an Astra, a little more sharper than a Derby.
05-11-2015, 08:26 PM
Firefighter2

1 Attachment(s)

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobH

If you have some Gillette Silver Blues hanging around they might be worth a try too. Been having good luck with them lately in the DEs I have tried them in.

Bob

I have some Gillete Super Blue's hanging out with my Aristocrat, I'm not sure if I want to use em' though!

Attachment 200835
05-11-2015, 09:49 PM
BobH

Quote:

Originally Posted by Firefighter2

I have some Gillete Super Blue's hanging out with my Aristocrat, I'm not sure if I want to use em' though!

Hey that Aristocrat looks familiar. Smooth shavers they are. No I meant new Russian production Gillette Silver Blues like these Gillette Silver Blue Double Edge Blades .

Bob
05-11-2015, 11:43 PM
seagiant

Quote:

Originally Posted by Firefighter2

I agree with you on the Feather, the Shark is good with this razor, similar to an Astra, a little more sharper than a Derby.

Hi,
Yes, the Derby and the Blue Bird,not so good to me!
05-11-2015, 11:47 PM
Firefighter2

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobH

Hey that Aristocrat looks familiar. Smooth shavers they are. No I meant new Russian production Gillette Silver Blues like these Gillette Silver Blue Double Edge Blades .

Bob

I see. Ya, I'd rather use them than the vintage blades! :)