Picking a first Merkur DE

Hello Everyone. I few months ago I picked up a straight. It is an awesome tool and provides amazing shaves. However, it is not very time efficient and I won't be able to take it with me to the Marine Corps. I have a rather thick beard and I go through cartridge razors fast, so I decided to go for a DE. I called my grandfather and he said he has a Merkur DE he picked up in Germany in the 50's and that it's still good. So I'm going to stick to the brand. =D However, I have no idea what type of DE to pick up? Some recommend the Hefty version while others the classic. I also don't know if I should get a long handle or a regular length? Some also said to get a slant as it provides a closer shave. What do you guys suggest from the Merkur family? I'd also plan on purchasing from Vintage Blades. Thank you in advance.

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Originally Posted by Gaz

Hello Everyone. I few months ago I picked up a straight. It is an awesome tool and provides amazing shaves. However, it is not very time efficient and I won't be able to take it with me to the Marine Corps. I have a rather thick beard and I go through cartridge razors fast, so I decided to go for a DE. I called my grandfather and he said he has a Merkur DE he picked up in Germany in the 50's and that it's still good. So I'm going to stick to the brand. =D However, I have no idea what type of DE to pick up? Some recommend the Hefty version while others the classic. I also don't know if I should get a long handle or a regular length? Some also said to get a slant as it provides a closer shave. What do you guys suggest from the Merkur family? I'd also plan on purchasing from Vintage Blades. Thank you in advance.

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get the merkur adjustable so you can adjust the level of skin you want exposed when shaving, number 1 for sensetive skin and 9 for more agresive..cant go wrong

The hefty and the long handled classic have the same head, and both are great. Very easy to learn on. You can get a more, or less, aggressive razor later on, when you know what you prefer.

Personally, I have settled on the 38C long-handled heavy, or barberpole. Same head but with a long heavy handle. I don't shave much with a DE anymore unless I am in a rush, but when I do, this is what I grab.

Adjustables are nice, too. Not as steep as with straights, but there is also technique to master with DE's, and the less variables you need to worry about when starting out, the better.

For the same reason, I would recommend you reserve the slant, if needed, for when you have gotten the technique down. I shaved with DE's for more than 20 years, and when I first picked up a slant with a feather, I cut myself more than with any straight razor.

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Originally Posted by RayG

The hefty and the long handled classic have the same head, and both are great. Very easy to learn on. You can get a more, or less, aggressive razor later on, when you know what you prefer.

Personally, I have settled on the 38C long-handled heavy, or barberpole. Same head but with a long heavy handle. I don't shave much with a DE anymore unless I am in a rush, but when I do, this is what I grab.

Adjustables are nice, too. Not as steep as with straights, but there is also technique to master with DE's, and the less variables you need to worry about when starting out, the better.

For the same reason, I would recommend you reserve the slant, if needed, for when you have gotten the technique down. I shaved with DE's for more than 20 years, and when I first picked up a slant with a feather, I cut myself more than with any straight razor.

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Ray, thanks a lot for the help. Right now it's a draw between the Classic and the Hefty. Would you recommend the regular length handle or a long one? I'll keep the adjustables and slanted ones for later, I'm going to straighten the basics out first.

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Originally Posted by Gaz

Ray, thanks a lot for the help. Right now it's a draw between the Classic and the Hefty. Would you recommend the regular length handle or a long one?

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It really is a personal choice. I have large hands so I wanted a longer handle, but also wanted something heavier, hence the barberpole. Just going by averages, though, many recommend the hefty to start with. That also makes it the more popular one - easier to sell if you end up preferring something else.

Go with the 38C or the HD. Tough to choose between the two. The handle length will be a personal preference. But with a heavy beard, either should work well. I would almost suggest that the longer handle might work best. I love them both for a DE and use no others. Even with a drawer of Gillettes left unused.

RT

Merkur HD would be my pick. Regular handle length works great for big or small hands.

Slant 39C with Feather blades. If you use the weight of the razor and eyeball the blade exposure while you are tightening the head down you should me fine. :hmmm:

my first was a merkur hefty long handle classic and it has been great everytime i used it from the very first shave, i dont know about any other types but i know i like that one

-dan-

The Merkur Barber Pole is an excellent choice, i have been a straight razor shaver for 4 years now and decided to try DEs
ive tried Fatboy adjustable, slim adjustable, Techs and Super speed des, then i tried a merkur barber pole with a Gillette Sweed blade, and this combination has given me the best de shave by far,
De shaving gives a close shave, but nothing gives as close and Baby Butt smooth as a Striaght, that has a nice edge!
You can use your grandfathers Merkur if its in good shape it might be the real deal and the way to go, if not you can pick up a new Merkur Barber Pole from many sites on line for about $35.00,
Good luck at Basic,
Keep your eyes open and your head down,
and remember , "Its not how tall you stand when others measure you, its how tall you stand when you measure yourself"
Major M.Morgenstern
111th Fighter Wing
PAANG

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"

I would go with either the HD or the Progress. The nice thing about the Progress is that it is adjustable and it is easier to learn on than the HD IMHO. It also gives you room to grow in that you can dial the aggressiveness from mild to wild.

Gentlemen,

I'll throw in my first DE razor recommendation for our friend: the Merkur 38C barber pole. It's a great shaver.

Obie