Thread: So how do I care for my Merkur 34c?

I just rinse mine with clean water, shake it, and hang it. I usually get around three or so shaves out of a blade. I typically change it out on Mondays and working retail, whatever other day I have off. Typically on my days off I use my straight or my SE (although st8 days are becoming much more common.)

Originally Posted by bjmacnevin

Okay, still lovin' the Merkur 34c I got. But I realized I know nothing about how to take care of it. With my SR, I strop and dry and store dry, etc. But what about a DE Safety Razor? Is there an equivalent to "stropping" that I'm supposed to do? Should I clean/dry it after every use? How long should a blade last me (kinda' tough beard that grows about 1 mm a day).

Yeah, all newbie questions, I'm afraid!

Hey bjmacnevin ,

I am using my 34C at the moment. I have a medium / coarse beard and find I get about 4 shaves (3 passes each shave) from Personna Platinum (Red) blades.

After each shave I pull the head off, remove the blade & rinse it. Then clean the underside of the head, wipe everything off & re assemble ready for the next shave.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

I give it a rinse after evrey shave and leave the blade in. When I change the blade I give each piece a wipe with a flannel or scrub with a toothbrush.

Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

I rinse the razor, take out the blade, pat it dry, and wrap it in the waxed paper it came in and the outside paper wrapper turned inside out. . . . . ....

I don't treat my _straights_ that well! But I always was sloppy.

My ritual:

Rinse after shaving, loosen handle one turn, rinse again, shake out water.

Tighten handle and put back into the rack.

Charles

I've tried the blade flipping technique on several different blades, but I never saw any significant improvements in the shave.

I typically shave on the same days, so I know how many shaves I get a week. My Wilkinson Sword or Derby blades give me 4-5 good shaves per week, so I replace them every Sunday. I use one razor edge for shaving WTG and the opposite edge for shaving ATG. I keep tabs on which edge was for WTG and which was for ATG shaving by looking for a specific marking or design on the DE razor; my Merkur 33C has a diamond design on one side but not the other, and my Gillette Adjustable has the adjustable number notch on only one side.

After each shave I rinse off the DE with hot water, shake it dry, and put it away on its holder; I have a folded paper towel lining under the DE holder to catch any water runoff. The DE drys off on its own well. Every Sunday, I remove the old blade, dry-brush clean the DE with an old toothbrush, install a new blade, and put it away ready for Monday morning.

I've been using this technique for several years without any problems.

I do nothing except dry off the razor and hang it up. I change blades every three shaves and clean when I change blades. Yes there is a little soap film buildup. I do take a toothbrush / soap to this every few days to once a week. Just part of the deal.

[QUOTE=R33F;1026984]Hey bjmacnevin ,

I am using my 34C at the moment. I have a medium / coarse beard and find I get about 4 shaves (3 passes each shave) from Personna Platinum (Red) blades.

QUOTE]

Same here. I just rinse with hot water...unscrew the head and rinse the head and blade to remove any soap and hair...reassemble sometimes flipping the blade, and put it back in my toothbrush holder next to my wifes and our tooth brushes.

The merkur crome finish seems really good and doesnt rust...or at least hasnt...and my wife leaves hers in the shower alot (She has a 23C)

very easy razors to maintain (Actually the 23c is easier as it is a 3 piece so unlike the 34 there is no tube and moving part to get water caught in.

I finally took the old toothbrush to my 34c to spruce it up.

It wasn't in bad shape at all, just a little coating of soap which came off nice and easy. I will probably only put it into a monthly routine but it's a nice way to spend five minutes and think about the true pleasure of owning a nice razor.

It fits in nicely to what I think is one of the best aspects of real shaving. Taking a little time out to do something properly and reflect.

I use DEs quite a bit and I rinse and towel dry after each shave (careful to avoid the blade). When I change blades, I'll give a light spritz of scrubbing bubbles (removes soap scum easily AND sanitizes the razor in one fell swoop). I change blades whenever they start to pull just a little.

Hi I use my one if in a rush so not able to straight cut i just rinse my out under the tap and let dry have had no problems as for blades a buy from a site in the uk which gave me free blades and am still using them they are ok for 1 or 2 shaves only but as the blades only cost £0.79p per pack of 5 blades cost does not come into it