Is Merkur 45 Bakelite a good long term travel razor?

[StillShaving]

When the new Merkur Bakelite razor was first introduced it got many positive reviews, but is it holding up well? I am mainly interested in it as a travel razor, because of its light weight. But I don't want to give up much performance, as a metal razor does not weight that much in the grand scheme of things.

The Merkur barber pole open comb is my current travel razor because it performs so well and always gives good results even when in unfamiliar bathrooms, but it is one of the heavier razors to carry around. I understand this Bakelite has the profile of a Progress, which I have never shaved with. So I am not sure what to expect, whether I will like it in comparison to the open comb head. Whether the lack of weight is an issue, or how the screw threads and blade alignment will hold up after many shaves? I appreciate your comments.

BTW, I had picked up a very cheap "laser" brand plastic DE and was going to use it as a travel razor. It mostly works, but after a couple of test shaves I did not really like the way it shaved. A razor which looked something like this Gillette Rubie Click

Or this one, where the top cap snaps closed on one side, with hinges on the other side to hold the top cap while loading the blade:

 

[shecky]

I don't see why it wouldn't hold up. The 45 is a very nice shaver.

FWIW, I love the Laser Click. It turned out to be my "fix it" razor to finish any particular job, when the latest aquisition/blade combo isn't quite working, and a fine performer in its own right. I'd have no qualms about using this as my only razor. It's moderately aggresssive, which suits me fine, and a surprisingly quick and easy handler. As a travel razor, it's certainly light, and not a big concern if lost. Not likely to break or cause damage if dropped. Though I consider it a semi disposable because of it's price, I don't see it actually failing unless you step on it or fiddle with the hinge until it breaks. I find the Click even more consistent than the Merkur regarding blade security and placement as long as the latch is fully closed.

If heft is an issue while shaving, neither will suffice. The 45 is very light. The Laser even lighter by about half. Turns out that heft makes no difference to me.

Maybe some other possibilities are a old Gillette travel Tech, or a German four piece travel razor, commonly found in open comb versions on ebay, and new from Merkur. They are heavier than the 45 or Click, but aren't particularly hefty compared to others. And they break down into a very compact package. The Gillette can be found with a very light weight aluminum handle, is a pretty mild but useful shaver. I own a couple German four piece open combs that I prefer as shavers over the Tech, and break down into nifty tiny containers.

 

[StillShaving]

You make a good point about disposablity, the "Click" is not something one would cry about if it was left behind in far away place. Maybe I should give it better test drive, as my first test was hurried. I only did 2-3 shaves before making a go/no-go decision with the razor and decided to leave it behind.

I had been thinking of getting the merkur 4-piece travel razor, and still have it on my list, but since weight is more important than size (both are small) I wanted to better understand the bakelite.

Have you gotten a lot of shaves out of your "Click"? Or more importantly have you opened/closed it many times? I should note that the "Click" razor is properly named as it makes a loud click whenever the top cap is opened. I like to remove/rinse the blade after each shave, so I was concerned that the "Click" would break or snap off in the middle of my travel. I had a second one to bring as backup, but then I thought if I had such low confidence in it, why use it to begin with. Sounds like your experience has been good?

 

[ateace]

The main advantages of the "Click"-type razors are the very light weight, if that is a concern, and the very low cost. I don't care for them, but I still have couple around in case circumstances call for taking one along (travelling very light, or where loss/theft is an increased concern).

Other than that, if you like travelling with your heavier razor, just stick with that if it gives good results on the road.

 

[jansob]

I love my 45, and use it a couple times a week. But it is VERY light.

No problems with durability so far, but I'm careful not to overtighten it. The brass stem could strip the plastic of the head if pushed. I can't see it wearing out anytime in the next few years unless I get stupid with it.

If you travel several days every week, I would look at a Feather Portable....if a couple times a month the 45 should be fine.

 

[shecky]

Have you gotten a lot of shaves out of your "Click"? Or more importantly have you opened/closed it many times? I should note that the "Click" razor is properly named as it makes a loud click whenever the top cap is opened. I like to remove/rinse the blade after each shave, so I was concerned that the "Click" would break or snap off in the middle of my travel. I had a second one to bring as backup, but then I thought if I had such low confidence in it, why use it to begin with. Sounds like your experience has been good?

I'm pretty confident that the hinge on mine will last longer than one might expect from such a design. I've used it for several months, and even fiddled with the opening and latching mechanism, and it still seems sound. The plastic seems to be some kind of relatively soft thermoforming type, perhaps polypropylene or some kind of polyethylene, and seems to have an adequately designed living hinge.

FWIW, here are the relative weights of the following travel/lightweight razors, with a blade installed, high to low:

1. Feather Portable 1.89 oz (2.36 oz with plastic case)
2. Gillette Travel Tech, brass handle 1.49 oz
3. German open comb 4 piece travel razor 1.14 oz (2.12 oz with metal case)
4. Gillette Travel Tech aluminum handle .99 oz
5. Merkur 45 "Bakelite" .51 oz
6. Laser Click .23 oz

I have no cases for the Techs, Merkur, or the Click. The Feather's plastic case is relatively compact, but not very durably constructed. The German 4 piece is extremely compact in the durably constructed case.

As far as durability of the actual razor, the Click would probably win a drop test over any of the others. The metal ones might survive, but run the risk of bending. ISTR there was a report on the forum of a 45 not surviving a drop.

 

[StillShaving]

Thanks for the comparison of razor weights. Based on what you and others have said, I plan to give the Click/Laser razor a more extensive test and see if I can like it better, and if not get Merkur's Bakelite or Travel razor.

My goal is to put together a minimal dopp kit for mobile travel. Just 1 razor, 1 pack of blades, 1 oz aftershave, small tube of shave cream, maybe a small nylon brush, comb, toothbrush, etc. My current toiletry kit is about the heaviest thing I pack and I am looking to slim it down.

 

[mgm]

Just don't accidentally drop it on a hard surface; my Merkur 45 Bakelite broke that way.

 

[Ranger Al]

For what it is worth, I bought this for travel.

I was getting tired of receiving "extra attention" from TSA screeners when carrying any of my one-piece DE razors.

I either ship blades ahead or expect to purchase whatever I can find locally at my destination and make do.

Of course, the screeners don't believe that - and tear my carry on luggage apart.

However, with this Mekur disassembled in my travel kit... and a BIC Metal disposible thrown in "just in case"... I've had no problems with airport security!

And while I'm still a Newbie, I feel I get a shave something like that of a Superspeed with a similar blade.