Thread: double edge razors - who does it and what do you use?

2 - 34C's The 11c is just the open comb version of that razor -

How do you both find the comfort of the size and weight of the razor? Seems to be a solid razor.

I wanted to try the vintage but I know too little for vintage acquisitions - and the new merkurs and muhles got bling

Originally Posted by 44Whiskas

I might be confused - I heard that the Muhles use the Merkur heads or maybe design - just refine it to a higher tolerance - again, I am purely basing things I say here on what I read on the Big wide web

Hello, 44 Whiskas:

No, Muhle does not use the Merkur shave head, but, rather, its own shave head. Edwin Jagger also uses the Muhle shave head. I feel the Muhle-Jagger shave head to be slightly less aggressive and more refined than that of the Merkur — for me, that is. Many gentlemen prefer the Merkur over anything else. For the most part, this is a matter of personal taste.

Regards,
Obie

Originally Posted by Obie

Hello, 44 Whiskas:

No, Muhle does not use the Merkur shave head, but, rather, its own shave head. Edwin Jagger also uses the Muhle shave head. I feel the Muhle-Jagger shave head to be slightly less aggressive and more refined than that of the Merkur — for me, that is. Many gentlemen prefer the Merkur over anything else. For the most part, this is a matter of personal taste.

Regards,
Obie

Hi Obie,

My bad - the R89 is a muhle head and the new R41 is an open with a merkur head. The old R89 was an open with a muhle head so I guess the R41 is the replacement.

I have the Merkur 12c in transit from Don and Lynn but all the talk about the quality of the muhle has my attention.

Originally Posted by thevez2

I've been using Gillette DEs. Mainly use a blue tip Super Speed and a Slim adjustable, but I have several others. I get most of mine at antique stores. I started with DEs before trying out Straights. Still new to straights so am using both ATM.

I heard about the Super Speeds and the fatboys - what makes them so good?

Shaving with Straights is great - I just need a change up or a boatload of new straight razors, brushes, scuttles, AS, creams to keep things new - I figured a start into DE shaving would be less expensive

Originally Posted by 44Whiskas

Hi Obie,

My bad - the R89 is a muhle head and the new R41 is an open with a merkur head. The old R89 was an open with a muhle head so I guess the R41 is the replacement.

I have the Merkur 12c in transit from Don and Lynn but all the talk about the quality of the muhle has my attention.

Hello, 44Whiskas:

I am not aware that the Muhle R41 open comb uses a Merkur shave head, but then maybe it does and that's the first of have heard of it. I can't give you a firm answer on this.

Now, the Muhle R89 is the rich uncle of the Edwin Jagger L89. Both are great razors, both using the Muhle shave head. The razors differ in design, but the workmanship and overall quality in both razors is impeccable.

The only Merkur double edge razors I have used are the 34C and the 38C "Barber Pole." Both are excellent razors and I liked them. I prefer the Edwin Jagger and the Muhle. Again, that's a matter of personal taste.

To my understand, the Merkur 12 C, which you have coming, is the open-comb version of the 38C "Barber pole." Or at least they are cousins. That razor will be a bit more aggressive than the 38C, because it is an open comb, but it's still a Merkur and those razors are quality.

What I like and what you like might be different, and that the Merkur might be more to your liking than either the Muhle or the Edwin Jagger. Go with what works best for you.

Regards,
Obie

I use a Gillette Fatboy adjustable, or a Gillette Black Beauty, or sometimes a Parker I got off Amazon. They're all good. I've been using Shark super chrome blades with great results. I use the DE's as a time saver occasionally.

Merkur 34C HD with Derby or Feather blades.

all this de talk is starting to get to me.. having only used the 34c.. i want to try something else really different.. i think the 60's gillettes slim adjustables look very cool.. i'd also like to try a different blade.. i'm only used the feathers.. but i still have the merkur super that came with the razor.. how do they compare to the feathers?

Originally Posted by vthomlinson

all this de talk is starting to get to me.. having only used the 34c.. i want to try something else really different.. i think the 60's gillettes slim adjustables look very cool.. i'd also like to try a different blade.. i'm only used the feathers.. but i still have the merkur super that came with the razor.. how do they compare to the feathers?

Hello, vthomlinson:

The Merkur 34C is a fine razor and has many fans. You're doing okay with that one. If you want to pad your double edge razor collection, I recommend the Edwin Jagger or its rich uncle, the Muhle-Pinsel.

The Merkur blades draw opposite reaction from gentlemen: they either like or dislike them, with no gray area. In my experience, the Merkur blades are rough and not a good shave. They, however, may work well with your beard. Give them a try.

Of course, from experience, I find the Merkur a feeble match to the great Feather double edge blade in every way. I don't even think one can compare them.

Regards,
Obie

Originally Posted by 44Whiskas

Hi Obie,

My bad - the R89 is a muhle head and the new R41 is an open with a merkur head. The old R89 was an open with a muhle head so I guess the R41 is the replacement.

I have the Merkur 12c in transit from Don and Lynn but all the talk about the quality of the muhle has my attention.

Hello 44Whiskas:

I have also heard that the R41 now uses the Merkur head this is new for 2010, the 2009 head has since been scare and can not be found. The quality issue I believe is with Merkur not with Muhle, most people say the quality of Muhle is top notch and somewhat iffy on the Merkur, but you only hear of complaints on something that has a problem, which I think is low in incidence. I have heard that Merkur now only has a 2 year guarantee as well. I just place an order on two Muhle and will let you know how I like them when they come in.

To you first question, I use a gillette gold ball tech razor 1920, a diplomat, gillette slim adjustable, and a red tip gillette. I love them all but have been having fun atm with the gold ball tech, possible since its the oldest of the lot and has an open comb, and what a shave. I use gillette yellow packs and feathers.

Crom