Fendrihan Mk II Full Stainless Steel Razor or new Merkur 'redesigned" 34C?

[sidpost]

Fendrihan Mk II Full Stainless Steel Double Edge Safety Razor - https://www.fendrihan.com/products/fendrihan-mk-ii-full-stainless-steel-double-edge-safety-razor

I have been thinking about the Merkur 34C. I tried one ~30 years ago as a cartridge "Atra 2" (Mach 2 today?) shaver with terrible results using Merkur blades at $10 a tuck! It did remove a mole from my face so, there's that!

My understanding is that the really old model 34C were pretty aggressive and newer ones are mild. The new redesign seems to hit a sweet spot somewhere in between.

How does the Fendrihan Mk II compare to a new redesigned Merkur 34C? I have mixed feelings about the Zamak head on the 34C and reviews seem to suggest the Fendrihan Mk II is a pretty close copy of the Merkur 34C in all Stainless Steel. Both seem to have more curve in the top cap so, additional blade stiffness with less chance of blade chatter appears to be a feature of these two razors. Both seem to be ~$45 with normal street pricing so, the Fendrihan Mk II seems to have an advantage to me.

What are the thoughts on these two razors for a "cheaper" mid-range razor?

TIA,
Sid

 

[mozartman]

The MKII was my first step away from the 34C that I started with. As I said in another thread, it's basically a much more aggressive 34C in an all-solid steel, three-piece design, with covered blade tabs and a long grippy handle. It's as if the designer started with the 34C and tried to address all the complaints about it that you see in de razor discussion forums. It's made in Taiwan of 304 steel, if that matters to you. The "new" 34C sounds like it's similar to the old one except with covered blade tabs and a slight increase in the blade gap to make it a little more aggressive.

So, if you loved your 34C but the exposed tabs bother you and you find it a little too mild, it sounds like the new one would be a good choice. Whether the difference is significant remains to be seen. The MKII is a lot different, for the reasons I gave above, but still with a similar "feel" to the 34C.

 

[sidpost]

How does Fendrihan Mk II compare to something like a classic Muhle R41 in terms of being aggressive?

 

[lancre]

How does Fendrihan Mk II compare to something like a classic Muhle R41 in terms of being aggressive?

On my face and neck, the recent Muhle R41, the Fendrihan Mk II, and the Maggard V3a all have similar but not quite equal aggressiveness, in the order listed. In terms of smoothness, I would say Maggard V3a, Muhle R41, Fendrihan Mk II. The Fendrihan being SS will probably outlast the two zamak razors.

So, between the two razors you listed, the Muhle appears to be the winner.

 

[DesertIguana]

Fendrihan Mk II Full Stainless Steel Double Edge Safety Razor - https://www.fendrihan.com/products/fendrihan-mk-ii-full-stainless-steel-double-edge-safety-razor

How does the Fendrihan Mk II compare to a new redesigned Merkur 34C? I have mixed feelings about the Zamak head on the 34C and reviews seem to suggest the Fendrihan Mk II is a pretty close copy of the Merkur 34C in all Stainless Steel. Both seem to have more curve in the top cap so, additional blade stiffness with less chance of blade chatter appears to be a feature of these two razors. Both seem to be ~$45 with normal street pricing so, the Fendrihan Mk II seems to have an advantage to me.

Reading review says aggressive, I do not do aggressive. Noce looking Razor.