Thread: 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

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!

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.