Merkur 34C (or G) vs. Weber head with bulldog handle

[paulmasson]

My apologies if this topic has been covered in other threads. I know it has either directly or indirectly. I also am very familiar with the concept of YMMV, and that may be the answer right there. The buying and selling of DE razors is pretty similar to saxophones, especially in that regard.

So today I have a 34G coming. I just love the way it looks and for $47 on amazon it seemed worth checking out. I wanted to compare it to my DE89. I've also got a Progress that I can easily get BBS with 3 passes on 2.5. Lately I have been poking around and have come across a lot of discussion about Webers. They look great, but in one place I read a post my mantic59 that he didn't think the Weber was all that different from a lot of other razors, and perhaps the 34C/G. Other people seem to rave about the Weber.

The handle on the Progress is good, and I imagine the 34G will be nice too. Should I be checking out the Weber? I know, I caught RAD already, and I'm not surprised. At least razors are a lot cheaper than saxophones, but my wife will still roll her eyes.

Thanks!

 

[eblau]

I have a Merkur 34C and the original model Weber with the black DLC head and long handle. I just ordered and received a new Weber w/ polished head and Bulldog handle. I tend to like a shorter handle in the 3-3.5 inch range so I wanted a Weber with a shorter handle. The Bulldog handle fit the bill nicely. I love that handle. The knurling is great and it looks very nice too.

Personally, I like the shave of the Weber better than the 34C. The Weber gives a very nice mild-to-moderate shave that is smoother for me than the 34C. I like the appearance of the "all polished" Weber and you can't beat a stainless steel razor for $70. It's about half the price of its competitors.

Really the 34C is not too much different than the Weber, but I still think it is worth it.

 

[Silence!]

I've owned the Merkur 34c, EJde89, and the Weber Stainless. They are all very similar, but I found that the EJde89 shaved slightly more efficiently than the 34c. Same with the Weber. Although, to me the Weber is just a stainless steel version of the EJde89.

 

[mistercitizen]

One thing you will notice differently about the Weber with the Bulldog handle compared to the Merkur 34c is that the knurling on the Bulldog handle is very "grippy".... almost like a metal file. To me, the shave is very similar and I think the main differences are in appearance and durability (Weber is obviously more durable being stainless steel). If I had to pick between the two I couldn't.... so I have both. Maybe I should get a 34g too now that I'm thinking about it.....

Ben

 

[Tony.T]

Well-

I started with a 34c, went through loads of vintage razors (and sold them on). Still loved the 34c. Then I bought a s/h Weber ARC with the bulldog handle.

Now the 34c has been sold on, as has the Weber ARC.

A new Weber polished head now sits in the rotation.

I'm sure the design was not from this planet- it shaves that well

 

[eblau]

Samjax did a review of a few stainless steel razors that I saw on The Shave Nook. The Weber got a lot of love there as well:

http://shavenook.com/thread-stainless-steel-shootout-part-6-added

 

[spacegoast]

I think the 34C uses the same head as the 23C (which is what I have.) Looks very similar. I have been using the Bulldog handle on my 23C for a few months now and I like the feel of the shorter handle as opposed to the longer handle. I do not know how heavy the 34C feels though so I cant really comment on that.

 

[paulmasson]

Samjax did a review of a few stainless steel razors that I saw on The Shave Nook. The Weber got a lot of love there as well:

http://shavenook.com/thread-stainless-steel-shootout-part-6-added

Great link! Thanks!

 

[paulmasson]

One thing you will notice differently about the Weber with the Bulldog handle compared to the Merkur 34c is that the knurling on the Bulldog handle is very "grippy".... almost like a metal file. To me, the shave is very similar and I think the main differences are in appearance and durability (Weber is obviously more durable being stainless steel). If I had to pick between the two I couldn't.... so I have both. Maybe I should get a 34g too now that I'm thinking about it.....

Ben

You should! The gold finish looks great! Hmmm, maybe I should keep this one I'm looking at. Hmmm, maybe I should give it a try tomorrow.....

 

[paulmasson]

I think the 34C uses the same head as the 23C (which is what I have.) Looks very similar. I have been using the Bulldog handle on my 23C for a few months now and I like the feel of the shorter handle as opposed to the longer handle. I do not know how heavy the 34C feels though so I cant really comment on that.

I haven't tried any long hangle DE's. I've thought about it, but don't think I will ever get one. I like how you can just hold the end of a 3" handle, and that feels especially good to me like cleaning up just under the jaw. The 34G is pretty heavy, I just weighed it, 2.8 oz. The Weber head with the bulldog handle is 3.4 oz. per Weber's web page. A Merkur Progress is 3.2 oz. That's one reason I am thinking of not sticking with the 34G, it's heavy, but not that heavy. An EJ DE89 is 2.6 oz.

 

[paulmasson]

I have a Merkur 34C and the original model Weber with the black DLC head and long handle. I just ordered and received a new Weber w/ polished head and Bulldog handle. I tend to like a shorter handle in the 3-3.5 inch range so I wanted a Weber with a shorter handle. The Bulldog handle fit the bill nicely. I love that handle. The knurling is great and it looks very nice too.

Personally, I like the shave of the Weber better than the 34C. The Weber gives a very nice mild-to-moderate shave that is smoother for me than the 34C. I like the appearance of the "all polished" Weber and you can't beat a stainless steel razor for $70. It's about half the price of its competitors.

Really the 34C is not too much different than the Weber, but I still think it is worth it.

Eric, thanks for the post. After reading this I decided to go for it and ordered a Weber with the bulldog handle. I will have it in a week. Thanks again!

 

[Gary H]

I religiously use a 23c with a Weber handle and get a great shave every use. This is my goto #1 razor. I also use this for touch up's when I use other razors. The 23c with the Weber handle on the right is much heftier than my 34c

 

[paulmasson]

I've owned the Merkur 34c, EJde89, and the Weber Stainless. They are all very similar, but I found that the EJde89 shaved slightly more efficiently than the 34c. Same with the Weber. Although, to me the Weber is just a stainless steel version of the EJde89.

Hmmm, interesting. I hope I don't find the same. I don't use my EJ DE89 anymore as I get a much better shave with a Merkur Progress. I know everyone is different, but I wonder if your observation is what a lot of people find.

 

[david1201]

Tend to agree - thinking about selling my Weber as I seem to get a similar shave from my DE89 (with an Ikon Bulldog II handle).

I've owned the Merkur 34c, EJde89, and the Weber Stainless. They are all very similar, but I found that the EJde89 shaved slightly more efficiently than the 34c. Same with the Weber. Although, to me the Weber is just a stainless steel version of the EJde89.

 

[celestino]

If you can find a Weber DLC, i would highly recommend that one. After trying over 100 DEs, i still believe it is the best and smoothest shaver that i have ever tried; no question. Of course, this is just for me.
For a stainless steel razor for its price, i think it is a great investment as you can easily sell it if it does not work out for you. Good luck.

 

[Gary H]

Just the opposite for me I got this razor in the mail today I am pretty sure it is the de89. I used it tonight but had to switch back to my 23c for the 3rd and 4th pass to clean up. For some reason unknown to me this razor did not like my face at all.

 

[MaxP]

Eric, thanks for the post. After reading this I decided to go for it and ordered a Weber with the bulldog handle. I will have it in a week. Thanks again!

If you decide its not for you, it'll sell in minutes on the BST!

 

[paulmasson]

I may be wrong, but it looks like a DE89 to me. The end of the handle looks like an EJ, I can see the EJ logo, and the underside of the head looks like a DE89.

 

[Gary H]

Good luck I hope the new razor is a superstar performer for you.

 

[paulmasson]

Thanks, I will share my impressions next week after I get it. I ordered it yesterday, and just checked and according to Weber's web page, it went out yesterday, or at least was processed by them with a USPS tracking number, like amazon.com does. I think that I will really like the handle, not sure about the head, we will see.