Thread: Picking a first Merkur DE

I bought a 1904 Classic Open I like the design on the handle, and the teeth on the head.

I shave with a straight, but I love the look of the 1904 classic open comb such that I'm thinking about picking one up regardless. Anyway, I'd go with the merkur progress, because if you're got a thick beard, you can "dial it in" to the perfect level of aggression. Generally, mild first, becoming more aggressive later. Go to youtube and search for "mantic59" his channel is called "shave tutor" and he's got a lot of great DE stuff on there.

i have a slant and love it. i was my first de and i would gladly buy it again if i had to choose another first de.

I vote for the HD ... 34 C i think...the long handled classic 23c is a little light...i bought that one for my wife and she loves it ... but the HD is nice and heavy for a thick beard.

I really like the 'Progress' but its the only one I have, maybe I'd like one of the others just as much.

I think that we all tend to love the one we get used to.

But like Ray has said its something to do with weight and handle length that works best in your hand and on your face.

I just sold an Edwin Jagger Chatsworth. It has a long comfortable handle that has a standard Merkur made head on it. For me the balance on that simple razor was better than all of the Merkur products. Incidentally, the EJ products have a heavier chrome finish and look better and last longer. So you do get what you pay for to some extent.

I definitely vote for the 34C HD. That was my second DE after only a month of DE shaving, and this is definitely my favorite.

If I may, Edwin Jagger and Muhle teamed up to design and produce a razor head to replace the Merkur head EJ has been using because of an increase in returns. Merkur has declined in quality control, or perhaps they need to retool as their equipment is worn. Plus the Merkur finish is just not what it was.

The new EJ/Muhle head shaves just like a Merkur head. I have both Merkur and Muhle head razors and can't really tell any difference in the shave. There are slight changes in the bottom plate of the Muhle, otherwise they look the same also. These are not the former aggressive Muhle heads, they are the result of collaboration between EJ and Muhle.

The stock handle is longer than the Murker HD, but not as long as the long handle classic or the barberpole. The EJ/Muhle weight seems close to the HD in the hand, but I've not weighted it to compare.

These are sold both on the Muhle and English Shaving Co. websites. On the English Shaving website look for the EJ Diffusion razors. At Muhle look for the R 106 and variants.

I love my Merkurs!

Hello Gaz

I've done things opposite to you. Started on DE going to straight, eventually.

I have 2 Merkurs the long handled barberpole HD & the Futur.

Both are great. Barberpole for day to day, Futur for days off, going out. The Futur can be dialled up to make it more aggressive.

Futur, Astra blades, Tabac soap, TOBS cream= FANTASTIC SHAVES!

'Best of British' in your new career. Stay safe.

"British by birth, Scottish by the grace of god"