Gillette Slim vs Merkur 34C HD

[FaceScraper]

Hi so i have several vintage Gillettes and one Merkur 34C HD. Ive been using my Merkur for over a month continuosly now in order to practice my technique. I love the head geometry of the 34C. Its so easy to find the correct angle.

Today i switched back to my Gillette Slim set on 4. Its a lot harder to find the correct angle since it doesnt fall naturally into place like the 34C. I also found that the 34C gives very audible feedback when cutting the whiskers. The Slim doesnt give the same feel. I ended up with a very smooth shave but with a bit more irritation (evidenced by more "burn" when i applied my Alum block).

Now i truly understand why the 34C HD is so good for beginners. It cuts really well giving great feedback while naturally falling to the correct angle due to the amazing head geometry.

I know as my technique improves i will enjoy the adjustability of the slim but the Merkur is such a great razor i may stick with it for another month before going back to the slim again.

 

[Joe_Karp]

The fallacy is to call the 34C a beginner's razor. The HD (plus it's cousin, the Slant) deliver what my K1 Slim can't. Oh I can get a good shave with the Gillette, but not with the same closeness; and my technique is well-practiced after 40 years or more of shaving every day. Will I get rid of my Slim? No, but it doesn't see as much use, that's for sure.

 

[redrako]

I followed the same progression a few years ago, going from vintage Gillette razors to a Merkur 34C and had the exact same reaction. Using the HD was one of those "Wow!" moments in shaving.

I still like my vintage Gillettes, but the Merkur 34 is one of shavedom's great razors. It seems to shave well with any blade, is very easy to use from someone's first shave to seasoned veterans.

 

[Nayskin]

the 34c is an amazingly good razor, don't be put off by it's "beginner" rating. it's a very very nice razor

 

[FaceScraper]

I may not have been clear enough. I dont think its a "beginner's razor". As i wrote, "34C is so good for beginners". There is a difference in meaning. The razor is so easy to use that its great for new DE shavers and yet you could use it even if you have been shaving for decades.

 

[Joe_Karp]

I may not have been clear enough. I dont think its a "beginner's razor". As i wrote, "34C is so good for beginners". There is a difference in meaning. The razor is so easy to use that its great for new DE shavers and yet you could use it even if you have been shaving for decades.

I would compliment your post and offer nothing needs to be changed in what you said. Your meaning remains very clear. This razor, the 34C, would be a logical first step for just about anyone entering the DE world. From an affordable price point, to ease of use and, IMO a quality tool, it's a hard combination to beat. I used a fresh Astra blade in my HD this morning and received, as always, a terrific shave.

Cheers!

 

[Warpiper]

Interesting post. I started off with a Gillette back in 1976 and used it for several years before switching to cartridge and 3 months ago I got my HD and after getting used to DE shaving again will not go back to cartridge. I picked up a 1976 W4 black super speed and a 1959 E4 flare tip super speed. I started using the W4 this week and I don't get near the shave I get with the HD and I get the worst razor burn so far. I'm sure part of that is trying to get used to a different razor but I think this is why I eventually switched to cartridge. I'll try the E4 next week and see if there is much of a difference.

 

[Ted Danson]

This is a good read for me. I will be learning on a Slim and it looks like the next razor I will get is a 34C. thanks!

 

[01HDFXD]

Yup, my 34c HD long handle is definitely my workhorse razor and hard to beat.

 

[FaceScraper]

UPDATE: so its been a week with my Slim and i managed to get an irritation free shave. My alum still stung a bit more than with my 34C but there was no redness.

So it still proves what i said above. The Merkur 34C is a very good razor for beginners since its a MUCH more forgiving razor while the Slim requires that you use better technique. I had to concentrate hard to ensure NO PRESSURE. With the 34C i could be lazier and still get an irritation free shave.

 

[mkiraly]

+1 to everyone's comments so far.
I started with a 34C a few years ago, acquired a few vintage Gillettes, and the 34C sat for a long while.
I recently got a stock of vintage UK Wilkinson blades, which I'm trying in all my razors.
When I dropped one in the Merkur I was pleasantly surprised!
I had forgotten about the weight and "feel" of the Merkur, which provides a toltally different experience.
Ina word, it feels more "precise", and the extra weight seems to negate the temptation to apply pressure.
I'm getting my first true BBS shaves now, so I'm a happy camper!

 

[JRL]

Both razors you mention are excellent shaving tools. My take away: it's practice, practice, practice. Chances are very good that after a month working with one razor, you're going to get better shaves with it than with another razor after a few tries.

I have a number of razors that seemed hopeless the first time I used them. But after several weeks of daily use, I was surprised at how much better they performed.

 

[Joezamboni]

I'm in a bit of the same boat. I have about 16 razors, but my Merkur closed comb head on a UFO handle gets a lot of attention.

 

[Kerrplunk]

Since I got my slim I haven't touched my EJDE89.