Gone are those days of open-blade razors that can anytime cut your cheeks or neck area. Also, there are a few more hassles that made most men switch to new and innovative safety razors.
The problems safety razors resolve and uplift the shaving experience are:
- Too small for large hands
- Skin irritation
- Ingrown hairs
- Shave bumps
Additionally, these nifty tools are budget-friendly and easy to use. Besides, the protective guards on the razor’s edge have made the safety razor more advanced and secure.
Amongst merkur safety razors reviews, we recommend using Merkur 34C for beginners and Merkur Futur for experts. Both are commendable at doing their jobs, i.e., delivering unmatchable wet shaving experience.
- Color: Silver
- Style: MK-34C
- Item Weight: 59 Grams
- Item Dimensions LxWxH: 2 x 4 x 4 inches
- Color: Silver
- Style: MK-700002
- Item Weight: 0.12 Kilograms
- Item Dimensions LxWxH: 5.25 x 2.2 x 1 inches
- Color: Stainless Steel
- Style: MK-15C
- Item Weight: 0.12 Pounds
- Item Dimensions LxWxH: 4.75 x 1.8 x 1 inches
The list doesn’t limit to two; there are other Merkur safety razors, which you can choose from based on your requirements.
To give you a brief about the company, Merkur Solingen company is a German-based subsidiary of DOVO, which manufactures a wide range of men’s grooming and shaving products.
Let’s take a quick look at the features of different Merkur razors and know which is the best.
Table Of Content
Quick Comparison Table of 5 Best Merkur Safety Razor
Merkur 15C
Product Detail
- Pieces: 3-Pieces
- Handled Grip: Knurled
- Blades Compatibility: All
Best Feature: Men with thicker and longer facial hair can buy this safety razor as it meticulously shaves without clogging up the head.
Since the thicker and heavier facial hair is difficult to manage, it requires combing and straightening before shaving.
Thanks to the unique comb design on the razor head that lines up facial hair before it comes into contact with razor blades. It will save you from unnecessary tugging and pulling of facial hair.
And not only the long and thick hair, but this Merkur razor is even beneficial for sensitive skin guys. It neither causes razor burns nor irritates the skin. Even users across the globe with sensitive skin give razor 5-star for being gentle and effective while shaving.
Besides, the traditional short handle with knurled grip offers more flexibility and control during shaving. It is 3” long, which is still shorter than the 25C Merkur safety razor, an upgraded version of 15C.
The overall build quality is commendable as it is a chrome finish throughout and delivers a classic wet shaving experience. The threaded portion of the Merkur DE safety razor 15C is superior to Edwin Jagger. Also, the rounded ends of the threads will make assembling or disassembling much easier.
Though being a 3-piece shaving tool, you can disassemble all the parts and wash them thoroughly.
Apart from this, it is compatible with all the double-edge razor blades, which makes the long-term ownership cost affordable. Besides, it shaves without causing skin irritation that you may otherwise experience with cartridge razors.
The straight bar head has a fixed blade gap, which exposes the razor blade to the skin. Don’t worry- it will not cut your skin unless you apply too much pressure while shaving. Though this Merkur razor is lightweight, we still recommend not applying pressure.
Using a safety razor is quite simple; hold the razor at a 30-degree angle and glide in the direction your hair grows, which is technically known as “shaving with the grain.”
The downside of Merkur 15C Double-Edge Safety Razor
The razor has a short handle, which is a disadvantage for men with big hands. It will offer optimum comfort, which results in poor performance.
Some users even complain about the razor not delivering BBS and require multiple passes for achieving a close shave.
- Lightweight
- Short handle for better control
- Open comb to line up thick hair
- Compatible with any razor blades
- Works well on sensitive skin
- Short handle length
- Close shave not possible in a single pass
Verdict
In our opinion, the DE razor can shave thick and long hair and gives optimum control over the tool with its short handle. However, it is not ideal for a variety of hair types and big hands.
Merkur 34C
Product Detail
- Pieces: 2-Pieces
- Handle Grip: Knurled
- Blades Compatibility: All
Best Feature: The thicker handle and heavy-duty craftsmanship make the Merkur 34C Heavy Duty safety razor distinctive from other Merkur razors on the list.
You might be wondering why there is “heavy-duty” in the name? Well, the reason is the construction quality of the Merkur 34C razor. The razor head contains die-casted zinc, and the handle is made up of brass. Besides, the entire 34C razor covers under chrome plating. The bulk of minerals under a compact body makes the Merkur 34C razor not only heavyweight but durable and sturdy.
No matter whether its length or weight, this Merkur 34C stands ahead of the modern-age cartridge razors, leaving no room for compromise on performance.
Talking about the 34C handle, it features a diamond-knurled grip that gives a firm hold and does not slip the razor from your hand even if it is coated with shaving creams.
The 34C DE safety razor head comes with a closed comb, which mildly exposed razor blades to the skin. The feature is most advantageous for sensitive skin guys.
Besides, the blade gap is not so wide, which is one of the reasons to recommend this 34C DE razor to beginners. Another benefit of this razor is it even shaves head hair, which only a few razors can do.
Unlike the previous razor and the other razors on the list, this DE safety razor is a 2-piece shaving tool, meaning the razor blade mount and handle are attached to each, the cap that covers the blade is loose.
Beginners with one-day stubble can use Merkur 34C razor for shaving. Along with offering a comfortable shave, it causes no redness on the face. Despite being small in size, it makes precise cuts around the upper lips (mustache) areas.
Unlike others, this DE razor offers a single razor blade to kick-start the shaving routine as soon as the users receive the package.
Tip: Though the bulky weight may be challenging, you will excel in use with everyday practice.
The downside of Merkur 15C Double-Edge Safety Razor
Just like the previous Merkur razor, this one is also not ideal for men with large hands.
Another disadvantage from the newbie’s perspective is the price of this safety razor; it is slightly on the steeper side.
Lastly, a major pitfall of this double-edge safety razor is the head clogs up after every shave, and you need to unscrew the razor to remove the buildups. It is time-consuming and pathetic.
- Mildly-aggressive for beginners
- No pressure requires
- Durable & sturdy build quality
- Shaves head and facial hair
- Includes razor blade to kickstart
- A fewer passes for a close shave
- Head clogs up
- Too small for large hands
- Quite expensive
Verdict
To sum up, it is one of the ideal razors for wet shavers. It delivers a smooth and sleek shave without creating hassle. The only suggestion to large hand guys is to use Merkur 38C as it closely resembles 34C, with the only difference of having a long handle.
Merkur 42C
Product Detail
- Pieces: 3-Pieces
- Handle Grip: Diamond-knurled
- Blades Compatibility: All
Best Feature: The vintage look of this old-school safety razor makes it an ideal shaving razor for beginners. Plus, the relatively lower price as compared to other DE razors is a cherry on the cake.
Let’s first discuss the build quality of this double edge razor, wherein the head and the handle undergo a zinc die-casting process since the razor has a meticulous design. And the chrome finishing protects the razor from corrosion since it will be mostly used for wet shaving.
Besides a closed comb, it is a single razor on the list that caters to overall body shaving.
There are other options as well that include a safety bar, open, and closed comb. However, this double edge razor is a gateway to a wet shaving sphere.
The blade gap is designed in such a way that both body and facial hair can be easily cut without tugging or pulling. The razor is easy to use and easy to clean without having to worry about clogging up.
The downside of Merkur 42C is
Though it gives a silky and precise shave, it still causes irritation and razor burns.
Men with the big hand would find the razor difficult to carry in hand or shave facial hair.
After passing the razor multiple times on the same spot, it still fails to deliver a quality shave.
Some users even complain that the weight of the razor is too much than the ideal ones.
- Corrosion-free
- Small handle with a firm grip
- Better control
- Multi-purpose
- Budget-friendly
- Works well with any safety razor blades
- Too small for overly-sized hands
Verdict
It is one of the best razors for wet shavers or beginners who have just entered the wet shaving sphere. In our opinion, if you seek immediate shaving results, use this safety razor.
Merkur 933
Product Detail:
- Pieces: 4-Pieces
- Handle Grip: Knurled
- Blades Compatibility: All
Best Feature: The four-piece safety razor comes with a closed comb and offers the closest possible shave. It sets the razor different from others on the list. Plus, it comes with a small pouch that makes it a travel-friendly option.
The non-adjustable safety razor comes in a genuine leather case. All four parts are easily disassembled to store in the pouch and carry anywhere in the world.
The straight bar with a wave pattern makes it ideal for comfort and closeness. It works on every hair and skin type.
The Merkur safety razor is lightweight, durable, and sturdy. The closed comb with a standard fixed blade gap gives room to comfortably slice your beard.
Unlike cartridges, this Merkur double edge razor shaves your beard without causing skin irritation and razor burn.
The shaving technique is quite similar to Merkur 15C, i.e., holds at a 30-degree angle and shaves with the grain.
The downside of the Merkur double edge 933 razor is
Some users complain about the razor being fragile and easily broken off.
Handle being short is consistent in Merkur razors.
- Ultra-compact
- Travel-friendly
- Lightweight
- Compatible with Merkur stainless steel blades
- Smooth shave
- Short handle
- Slightly costly
Verdict
The 4-piece Merkur razor gives you the freedom to travel anywhere in the world. Also, the razor is easy to use and clean.
Merkur Futur
Product Detail:
- Pieces: 2-Piece
- Handle Grip: Smooth
- Blades Compatibility: All
Best Feature: The first of its kind, an adjustable safety razor with which you can increase or decrease the shave’s aggressiveness. Intermediate and expert shavers can use this razor to achieve the closest possible shave.
Let’s know anything and everything about the Merkur Futur in detail:
Firstly, the packaging contains one Futur razor, one Merkur super stainless steel blade, and a user manual.
Merkur Futur is quite heavier than other razors on the list.
| Razors | Weight (Gram) | Weight (Ounce) |
| Merkur 15C | 53 | 1.87 |
| Merkur 34C | 59 | 2.08 |
| Merkur 42C | 70 | 2.4 |
| Merkur 933 | 46 | 1.62 |
| Merkur Futur | 1226 | 4.25 |
Besides, the Merkur Futur is even longer than all other razors on the list. It makes holding the razor easier and with much comfort. Men with large hands will find it easier to hold this razor without any struggle.
What gazed at our attention is the chrome-plated matte finish with an eye-catching design. The build quality shows how expertly and precisely the engineers have made this Merkur Futur safety razor.
Unlike other razors that require twisting the handle to disassemble, Merkur Futur has a cap and body that snap together.
Besides, Merkur Futur comes with universal blade fitting, which means along with Merkur blades, it can work with any razor blade.
Talking about the safety bar, then Merkur Futur has a solid safety bar with a closed comb. On the other hand, the adjustability gives you the freedom to twist the handle and widen the blade gap.
It offers six adjustment levels, allowing you to tune the blade exposure.
The material contains die-casted zinc with a matte finish under a chrome plate.
The facial hair type on which Merkur Futur works amazingly well is dense and mildly curly. On the other hand, mildly sensitive skin can also get an amazing shave experience with this razor.
Lastly, we would advise setting the razor to level 1. The last level is for the densely thick and curliest beard.
The downside of Merkur Futur is
The razor is heavyweight, which means an inexperienced or newbie would not be able to add it to the grooming kit.
The larger head will create issues in the tighter or trickier area, such as the mustache or nose.
Excessive blade exposure might cause redness or irritation on your face. We recommend using quality aftershave post-shaving for relief.
The cap and clip do not last long and may soon wear out. The heavy price is another drawback of Merkur Futur.
- No pressure required
- Adjustable blade exposure
- Require minimal efforts in shaving
- Cuts too close to the skin without creating havoc
- Feels tender post-shaving
- Issues in shaving tighter areas
- Quite expensive
- Large size
Verdict
In our opinion, if you can adjust aggressiveness, you should try Merkur Futur. Not the beginners but professional shavers can give a chance to it. The shaving and performance are outstanding.
So these are Merkur razors reviews out of which you can pick anyone matching your convenience. Lastly, we found that,
All Merkur safety bar razors come with identical head designs. Merkur slant and open comb razors are the same. Merkur offers 3-adjustable and 3-non-adjustable head types. The advantage of a 3-piece safety razor is it can interchangeably with any head or handle piece.
Now, let’s know how different Jargons contribute to the Merkur razor selection process.
Things to Consider Before Buying Merkur Razor
Fixed Blades vs. Adjustable Blades
Most Merkur razors have a fixed blade, which does not allow you to make adjustments between a safety bar and blade gap. Also, the razors are low-priced.
Contrary to this, razors like Merkur Futur give the flexibility to adjust the blade exposure level. However, the price is on the steeper side, but the convenience to set the blade exposure level adds more value to the investment.
Tip: adjustable razor blade models can cut your skin if exposed too much, so make sure you set the right settings.
Open Comb vs. Closed Comb
The Open comb has visible teeth to line up facial hair into the blade with no straight bars to touch the shaver’s face. It retains lather on the face, unlike a closed comb. We recommend open comb razors to experts and professionals due to the wide exposure of razor blades.
On the other hand, the ridges are made inside the bottom plate of the safety razors with no teeth exposed to the face. The bottom plate with a flat edge keeps the skin tighter during shaving for a close and comfortable shave. We recommend closed comb razors to men with sensitive skin and newbies.
Two-Piece vs. Three-Piece
The two-piece razors are easy to unscrew and set the blade. Just hold the bottom part, i.e., handle and twist it to release the head. The head contains a threaded rod, which you need to insert into the handle to fix it.
In the three-piece, the head consists of two-piece that stack on each other that sandwich the blade. The screw resides at the top part of the razor, while the screw threading at the handle. Bring all the parts together as shown in the picture and twist them to assemble your nifty tool.
Short Handle vs. Long Handle
Why is the handle length important? Well, a longer handle offers a traditional aesthetic feeling that most bearded men find comfortable to shave with, while a shorter handle offers more control while shaving. It can also shave your beard in fewer passes as compared to a long handle tool.
In our opinion, beginners should opt for short-handled razors, while professionals can use any of them.
FAQs:
1. Are Merkur blades good?
Merkur blades are good as they last for about six shaves, i.e., shave daily using the three-pass technique (with the grain, across the grain, and against the grain).
2. Which Merkur razor is the best for beginners?
In our opinion, Merkur 34C is the best for newbies. Another option could be Merkur 933 or 42C.
3. What is the difference between a slant razor and a straight razor?
The straight razor cuts your beard in a straight way like traditional or cartridge razors, while the slant one opts for a modern approach to cut stubble from an optimum angle of 30-degree.
Conclusion
Finding the best Merkur shaving tool is quite difficult, but we hope the above Merkur safety razor review finds you well. The list contains different razors which are:
- Two-piece, three-piece, or four-piece
- Open or closed comb
- Beginner and expert-friendly
The razors not only ensure a smooth shave but also offer a life-long surety for their craftsmanship. Tell us your favorite pick by sending us an email. You can also share your buying experience, thoughts, suggestions, and feedback.
