Broke my Merkur HD - What's next?

[dax702]

I was replacing the blade the other day on my HD and apparently turned the handle too tight and the metal piece that attaches the top of the razor snapped like a twig, metal fatigue perhaps?

Anyways, it was a good razor, but it caused a bit of irritation for me. What would the gurus here recommend for someone with super sensitive skin, yet a pretty tough beard? I liked how smooth the HD felt when shaving...I use the Derby blades..

Thanks!

 

[Wishohn]

red tip or 40s SS if you want to try vintage

 

[Nadir M]

Sorry to hear the bad news. I have super sensitive skin, and a tough beard as well...I'd have to recommend a Gillette Red Tip ss. It's a great shaver, it won't be rough on your face, and it's built like a tank. Good luck finding a replacement razor, Sir!

 

[dax702]

Thanks! Red Tip SS - What does the SS stand for?
Where would you recommend I purchase one of these? Does year matter?

 

[thirdeye]

red tip or 40s SS if you want to try vintage

Sorry to hear the bad news. I have super sensitive skin, and a tough beard as well...I'd have to recommend a Gillette Red Tip ss. It's a great shaver, it won't be rough on your face, and it's built like a tank. Good luck finding a replacement razor, Sir!

Perfect choices fellows....

 

[mdunn]

go vintage!!

 

[Nadir M]

Thanks! Red Tip SS - What does the SS stand for?
Where would you recommend I purchase one of these? Does year matter?

Sorry about that. SS stands for super speed. Also, the year shouldn't matter much. I highly recommend you snatch one up here at B&B, in the buy/sell/trade forum.​

 

[rainman]

Maybe an Edwin Jagger or a Muehle. Nicely made, look nice and do not cost much more than the HD.

 

[Jatte]

talk to merkur, they usually replace the heads free of charge ,

also the muhle ones havfe the same head as a merkur hd

 

[Left Coast DJ]

Maybe an Edwin Jagger or a Muehle. Nicely made, look nice and do not cost much more than the HD.

+1 on the Edwin Jagger (or its twin Muhle). Incredible build-quality AND a great shave!

 

[dax702]

It's not exactly the head that broke, it's that whole turning assembly, don't know how to explain it.. I put a post up in the buy/sell forum for the "red tip ss"

 

[Nadir M]

talk to merkur, they usually replace the heads free of charge ,

also the muhle ones havfe the same head as a merkur hd

Didn't even think of that. That's a great idea. Now as for their email address, hmm...I thought I saw a thread here not too long ago with the Merkur's email address in it. Let me see if I can find it.​

 

[Jatte]

if it has anything to do with the head assembly or the threading i've heard they will replace it,

 

[Nadir M]

Here is the thread with Merkur's contact information. Hopefully this will help you out, Dax. http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=106274&highlight=merkur+contact

 

[cooncatbob]

I'd see if Merkur will replace your cap, they have in the past.
The problem with long stemmed Merkur razors is tighten the knob pulls the stem from the cap, while on a short stemmed 3 piece razor the handle tightens against the base plate.
Compounding this is the fact that the stem on a Merkur is brass and the cap is Zamak 3 (pot metal) the bond isn't as strong as it would be if the assembly entirely from brass.
My plater told me companies use Zamak 3 because it's easy to cast, has a low melting temperature and it's inexpensive (cheap).

 

[dax702]

Thanks for that, I'll check it out...

 

[BradF]

also the muhle ones havfe the same head as a merkur hd

Not so any more, the Muhle/EJ razors have a relatively new head design. Supposedly very good quality, but I haven't tried one yet.

 

[dax702]

Anne at Merkur wrote back to me and offered to replace the broken head free of charge. Unfortunately, I did not anticipate (think) about even contacting Merkur until you guys suggested it. I threw away the razor a few days ago after it broke and trash was picked up today. Anne said she could not replace the entire razor, just the piece that broke so I'm out of luck there.

Oh well, I don't mind,, it lasted three years and I would like to try the razor that is a bit less aggressive on my skin.

Lesson: If your Merkur breaks, don't toss it

 

[Nadir M]

Anne at Merkur wrote back to me and offered to replace the broken head free of charge. Unfortunately, I did not anticipate (think) about even contacting Merkur until you guys suggested it. I threw away the razor a few days ago after it broke and trash was picked up today. Anne said she could not replace the entire razor, just the piece that broke so I'm out of luck there.

Oh well, I don't mind,, it lasted three years and I would like to try the razor that is a bit less aggressive on my skin.

Lesson: If your Merkur breaks, don't toss it

Sorry to here that, Dax. At least you have a reason to try something new. Good luck, no matter which razor you choose. ​

 

[rm71]

Tough break. I love my HD so much, I have a spare one tucked away