Got a Merkur 34c today and it worked great!

I'm a newbie and my straight is out being honed, so I ordered in this Merkur 34c and WOW!

I prefer the straight so far, but this was amazingly EASY. And I'm one of those guys who suffer from ingrown hairs a lot with cartridge razors, so this is going to be a GREAT tool for days when I'm rushed for time!

No nicks first time out with it. But there were lots of times when I felt like I was just moving soap around. Turns out, the blade was DEFINITELY removing hair! I just didn't feel it! WOW!

My straight razor was never that sharp!

Reading posts like that, I wonder:

. . . Why did we start using cartridges ????

And a question --

. . . What blade were you using?

Thanks --

Charles

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bjmacnevin

I'm a newbie and my straight is out being honed, so I ordered in this Merkur 34c and WOW!

I prefer the straight so far, but this was amazingly EASY. And I'm one of those guys who suffer from ingrown hairs a lot with cartridge razors, so this is going to be a GREAT tool for days when I'm rushed for time!

No nicks first time out with it. But there were lots of times when I felt like I was just moving soap around. Turns out, the blade was DEFINITELY removing hair! I just didn't feel it! WOW!

My straight razor was never that sharp!

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The 34C is a very nice razor. I, too, prefer straights, but I definitely keep a 34C in the shave den. It is one of the more aggressive standard DE razors.

For many years I didn't think I had an alternative to multiblade disposable and cartridge razors. I'd get a good shave Monday because I deliberately avoided shaving on the weekend, but Tuesday wasn't as comfortable and Wednesday-Friday my face felt like scorched earth. I also tried electric razors several times because that's what dear old dad used.

Indeed, gentlemen, the Merkur 34C HD is an impressive little razor. I sold mine recently, because I use mostly open comb razors. For those who fancy the closed comb, however, the 34C is a keeper.

People switched to cartridges because they were effective, easy to use, didn't generate nicks and provided a quick shave. I still keep mine around for a change of pace. You don't have to hate cartridges to like straights.

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Originally Posted by ace

People switched to cartridges because they were effective, easy to use, didn't generate nicks and provided a quick shave. I still keep mine around for a change of pace. You don't have to hate cartridges to like straights.

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Oh, I loved my Sensor Excel when they came out (switched over from an Atra Trac II system in the 80's I think). But it's those ingrown hairs I couldn't escape. The straight and DE razors appear to have solved my dilema. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by cpcohen1945

Reading posts like that, I wonder:

. . . Why did we start using cartridges ????

And a question --

. . . What blade were you using?

Thanks --

Charles

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I think the switch to cartridges was a function of time-saving. And if that's your primary concern, why not? But I stopped evolving with the Gillette Sensor Excel. And I outright rejected any notion of using these silly 3-blade monstrosities.

Blade type? The Merkur Super (the one that came with it).

I was amazed because these blades are SO PAPER THIN! Wow! I don't know how many shaves I can get out of one yet.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ace

People switched to cartridges because they were effective, easy to use, didn't generate nicks and provided a quick shave. I still keep mine around for a change of pace. You don't have to hate cartridges to like straights.

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You make a point in that someone had to like them for them to gain such widespread popularity. I learned to shave for the first time at the age of 54 when I started with DE razors and straights because I began to notice the direction my whiskers grew. It was a must to succeed with the straights.

I have been tempted to try a cartridge with the knowledge I have gained from learning to shave the old fashioned way. I keep putting it off, though...

I tried it a few times. Always results in ingrown hairs for me. DOH!

34c was my first wet shave razor. definitely a keeper, it doesn't get much attention these days because of the Gillettes.

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Originally Posted by soulska

34c was my first wet shave razor. definitely a keeper, it doesn't get much attention these days because of the Gillettes.

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Are Gillettes better? I tried first to get a 1964 Gillette Slim (James Bond's razor in Goldfinger) on ebay and didn't succeed. So went to the Merkur. Kinda' like the idea of gettin' a 1970 Gillette DE (birth year).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bjmacnevin

Are Gillettes better?

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I wouldn't say Gillettes are better. They are just different. I have a Merkur 34C, 2 Gillette Super Speeds (late 40s head style on both), a Gillette NEW (OPEN COMB), and a 1940s Gold Gillette Tech.

The Merkur 34C is second from the top for best shave on this list. It gives me a shave very similar to the Super Speeds. But its weight and less rounded edges makes it feel like I'm dragging around a heavy peice of angle iron all over my face (I'm exagerating of course). It also takes slightly more skin with it than the SS. I'm not sure if that is from the weight or if it is slightly more aggressive.

The Tech is unusable for me. It just won't give me a good shave. My beard is too thick I think. Some people love them though.

The NEW is a bit too aggressive for me. I have sensitive skin and I get irritation. I like the rake feeling though and I hope to one day find a blade that will work in it for me.

The SS is my current favorite. It feels great on my face. It will give me irritation though if I shave daily. I wish it was slightly less aggressive. Maybe one day I will try a slim adjustable or a fatboy.

Of course all of these razors have their fans, and so do many other razors. So it really comes down to which one is best for YOU!

I like the 34C too. I travel with it or the Barber Pole a lot.

Very nice shaves.

Have fun

I agree, I have Merkurs and a Gillette Fat Boy. They are different, but I wouldn't say one is better than the other. I've also tried a Tech and also found it too light for my tastes.

IMHO, the Merkur 34c is one of the best safety razors of the market, it is a very useful weapon in your arsenal, my personal favorite!

I have two 1940's era Gillettes, One closed and one open comb, as well as a Merker 34C HD and his twisted brother 'The Slant', both closed comb. Of the four of them, I like the slant marginally more (somedays marginally less :)) than the 34C HD. It isn't as aggressive as I thought it would be, but I have managed to give myself two nicks with it in recent days, which is two more than I have ever given myself with any of the others. I don't think too much of my one and only open comb, which I have since lent to a mate for a trial use. He currently owns one of Gillettes last TTO style razor, the one with the plastic handle, whatever model it is.


Mick

the 34C is an awesome DE razor. You'll find on some other forums and maybe even here that some consider it a "beginner" DE razor. I disagree. I wouldn't put that label on this razor. I would label it as "aggressive-balanced". I compared this against the vintage adjustable that I have and would say that it is more aggressive than this but much less than a Muhle R41. The 34C is a good friend and I don't fear whisking around my face at a rabbits pace. For the Muhle R41, I'm afraid I'll cut my nose off. Lots of blade exposure. Congrats on your purchase. Hopefully the 34C will be around with you for awhile. If there was only ONE DE that I would be caught on a desert island with (and of course at least 3-4 cases of Tabac).. I would choose the 34C. All-around dependability.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by cpcohen1945

Reading posts like that, I wonder:

. . . Why did we start using cartridges ????

And a question --

. . . What blade were you using?

Thanks --

Charles

---

I bet a lot of men switched to cartridges because they were not fully competent wetshavers. Back then, the wealth of knowledge that we have now, via the internet was not available. I love my DEs, but I know how to prep and build a good lather, thanks to the internet. Back in the 80's I tried DE shaving for a brief stint, but was using canned shaving cream. The experience was less than stellar, but I was trying to figure things out on my own, without resources such as SRP. I've asked many elderly gents about shaving with DEs, and they all have negative things to say. They simply don't believe me when I tell them what a comfortable shave a DE can provide.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Wayne1963

I bet a lot of men switched to cartridges because they were not fully competent wetshavers. Back then, the wealth of knowledge that we have now, via the internet was not available. I love my DEs, but I know how to prep and build a good lather, thanks to the internet. Back in the 80's I tried DE shaving for a brief stint, but was using canned shaving cream. The experience was less than stellar, but I was trying to figure things out on my own, without resources such as SRP. I've asked many elderly gents about shaving with DEs, and they all have negative things to say. They simply don't believe me when I tell them what a comfortable shave a DE can provide.

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Spot on, IMO.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Wayne1963

I bet a lot of men switched to cartridges because they were not fully competent wetshavers. Back then, the wealth of knowledge that we have now, via the internet was not available. I love my DEs, but I know how to prep and build a good lather, thanks to the internet. Back in the 80's I tried DE shaving for a brief stint, but was using canned shaving cream. The experience was less than stellar, but I was trying to figure things out on my own, without resources such as SRP. I've asked many elderly gents about shaving with DEs, and they all have negative things to say. They simply don't believe me when I tell them what a comfortable shave a DE can provide.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ryan82

Spot on, IMO.

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I think it was the slow encroaching of advertising making people believe they were time poor and needed to get a wriggle on, and the minutes they could save in the morning by using their whizz bang new method of shaving. Sure, foam in a can isn't the same as working up a lather, but the menthol additives sure do make the skin feel cool and refreshed. And it's so new on the market that men won't really be taking notice of the loss of comfort in the shave, and if they do, they'll focus on the time savings and ease of use soon enough anyway...That's my theory anyway


Mick

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lynn

I like the 34C too. I travel with it or the Barber Pole a lot.

Very nice shaves.

Have fun

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Ditto Lynn those are the ones I use when considering the time the straight is not appropriate. Thanks of all of your " tutorials" and " white papers". I also just ordered the SRP special.

Gents:

In my case I do use the 47c, the progress and the R41 Tooth. Those are the best for me.

thanks
Kenneth