Longer Handle?

[LiveOak]

I only have one DE razor, my Merkur HD 34C. I like it, but I am thinking I would like something with a longer handle. I imagine Merkur makes such a thing, but does anyone have a preference for 1.) a longer handle vs. a shorter, stockier handle and 2.) a particular longer-handled razor.

 

[pauls51]

Sounds like you're after a Merkur 38C Barber pole

 

[Blue-EyedSon]

Or if you're interested in vintage razors, a Lady's Gillette or a Big Fellow both have longer handles.

 

[dpmtherrien]

Yep, its the 38c Barberpole your looking for.

 

[Pike]

Cooncatbob makes some beautiful custom handles!!...many threads around showing his fantastic work. I've made a few handles for myself as well.....this is my long handle Merkur Slant and a long handle New Deluxe:

 

[TheFlyingFrenchman]

Or if you're interested in vintage razors, a Lady's Gillette.

+1 On the Ladies Gillette. Definitely has a nice long handle with a nice surface.They're also available for cheap, got mine for 11 dollars in very good shape.

Although I prefer the shorter handles since I grip mine just below where the head meets the handle.

 

[kingfisher]

Nice work, Pike.


I second what Pike said. Go for the Merkur long-handled razors, or check out Bob's razor works.

 

[taffy]

+2 on the lady gilette.

 

[insomniac]

+1 on the 38C, if you like your 34C. The longer handle does give it more heft.

 

[matato]

When I was first starting out, the shorter handle really helped me develop a light touch and kept me from hurting myself. Now that my technique has improved, I feel I can control the long handle much better, and feel cramped when I use the short handle.

 

[cooncatbob]

When I first returned to DE shaving I preferred a longer handle, this was probably do to the fact that most cartridge razors have handles in the 4 inch range.
Now that I've been shaving with DEs for several years I find that I prefer handles in the 3 inch to 3 1/8th range.

 

[Polynikes]

The gillette super adjustable black beauty has a longer handle and may suit.

 

[njpaddy]

I only have one DE razor, my Merkur HD 34C. I like it, but I am thinking I would like something with a longer handle.

I thought the same thing, but found longer handles changed the entire balance of the razor and made them more aggressive. My 34G is still my most used razor. The more I use it the more I like it. It was my second razor and I wish I had not bought the 13 after it looking for that perfect DE. The 34G is as close to perfect as I've found.

 

[bmc1979]

I started with a Merkur 23C long handle, and since acquiring 7 vintage gillette razors, I'm finding I like the feel of the shorter handle. I don't know if I feel like I have more control or more "feel" of the shave in general. Found I got better more consistent shave too.

 

[hipfan]

...but found longer handles changed the entire balance of the razor and made them more aggressive.

Interesting. Perhaps that's one reason why I like my EJ DE89 so much better with a CoonCatBob Ultra Lite XL aluminum handle than with the stock shorty...

 

[Wingnut]

The gillette super adjustable black beauty has a longer handle and may suit.

SHHHHHH! (see my sig line...)

 

[cernel_joson]

Are you sure you want to switch to long handles? I find that the short handle gives me a lot more versatility and control. At least part of the time I find myself grabbing the tapered neck right below the razor head with my fingertips like a pencil and shaving like that--especially around the upper lip.

Then again two razors are better than one right? I'd get the gillette.

 

[hathela]

i own Merkur 38C Barber pole and very happy with the results

its a great razor and my favourite
razor has the weight and size of the more expensive Merkur razors. The weight of the razor drives the shave

i read it on a review somewhere..
he says, "This is a beautiful razor. It's nice and heavy, very high quality and archaeologist will probably find this razor in almost perfect condition somewhere a thousand years from now. "

 

[cooncatbob]

i own Merkur 38C Barber pole and very happy with the results

its a great razor and my favourite
razor has the weight and size of the more expensive Merkur razors. The weight of the razor drives the shave

i read it on a review somewhere..
he says, "This is a beautiful razor. It's nice and heavy, very high quality and archaeologist will probably find this razor in almost perfect condition somewhere a thousand years from now. "

Sorry but since the head is plated "Pot Metal" they will probably find the handle but the head will have long corroded into dust.
80 year old Gillettes are common, 80 year old Merkurs?

 

[hathela]

Sorry but since the head is plated "Pot Metal" they will probably find the handle but the head will have long corroded into dust.
80 year old Gillettes are common, 80 year old Merkurs?