Merkur 37C

[Zerpersande]

My 37C arrived today. My first try with it was with a new Nacet blade. I was immediately impressed with how smooth the razor performed. Rinsing my face after the first pass resulted in my face feeling about the same as usual. Subsequent passes were also very smooth. Rather than switching to my Gillette Slim set on 9 for touch up, I decided to touch up with the 37C.

The result? Well, without using my Slim for touch up, the shave was not as smooth. However, it was smoother than if I had relied solely on my 6C. And a big difference was in the feel when I used my alum bar. Very minimal skin irritation. Not that my usual shave is really bad, but this was noticeably more comfortable.

For a 3-pass shave with touchup, this is not going to be my unicorn razor. But it may very well relegate my 6C to the back seat.

 

[DSK]

Nice write up sounds like a strong performance from the slant. How was weight and handle length for you?

For others benefit what plate on the Rockwell would you compare it too?


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[Invicta]

And a big difference was in the feel when I used my alum bar. Very minimal skin irritation.

The shaves should improve as you get more familiar with the razor. Blades can make a difference too.

 

[Zerpersande]

- .... sounds like a strong performance from the slant.
- How was weight and handle length for you?
- For others benefit, what plate on the Rockwell would you compare it too?

1- Yes, I would agree that it gave a strong performance. I was extremely pleased with the razor throughout the entire shave. The best words to describe it are ‘smooth’ and ‘relaxing’.
2- It was lighter than the 6C. Although I kinda’ wished it was a bit heavier, maybe the lighter weight made it more relaxing. I wondered about maybe the 39C with the longer handle. And I would try it if given the chance. But I don’t see how it will give any better results and this razor was fun.
3- I use the #5 plate in the Rockwell. Have tried it on the #6 and although it may give a bit closer shave it isn’t enough to eliminate the touchup with the Slim. And the alum bar stings significantly more, to the point of being unpleasant. When I first got the 6C I started with the #3 plate and although that has been a while back, I’d say that is closer to the 37C.

I’d highly recommend giving this razor a try. The feel is different from anything I have tried thus far, which has been: 6C, cheap Feather, Parker 96, a Yental, a Baili, Gillette Superspeeds of various years, and Gillette Slim. And this was noticeably different from them all.

The one thing I don’t like is that the quality isn’t where I would like it. The finish under the ca is noticeably different from the outside. The base metal is likely zinc, (I may be wrong) which knock out replating.

I ordered mine from The Traditional Shaving Company for £29. They had very good international shipping to Japan. The combo beat everything from every other place I checked.

 

[Zerpersande]

The shaves should improve as you get more familiar with the razor. Blades can make a difference too.

I was thinking the same thing, especially so far as technique. Although I was trying to get a close shave, I was also very relaxed about it. Andthat was a new blade. It might go better on the second try.

 

[BigJ]

The shaves should improve as you get more familiar with the razor. Blades can make a difference too.

+1! Great result for a new razor!! With time and a better blade you may reach Nirvana!!

 

[rusty1]

1- Yes, I would agree that it gave a strong performance. I was extremely pleased with the razor throughout the entire shave. The best words to describe it are ‘smooth’ and ‘relaxing’.
2- It was lighter than the 6C. Although I kinda’ wished it was a bit heavier, maybe the lighter weight made it more relaxing. I wondered about maybe the 39C with the longer handle. And I would try it if given the chance. But I don’t see how it will give any better results and this razor was fun.
3- I use the #5 plate in the Rockwell. Have tried it on the #6 and although it may give a bit closer shave it isn’t enough to eliminate the touchup with the Slim. And the alum bar stings significantly more, to the point of being unpleasant. When I first got the 6C I started with the #3 plate and although that has been a while back, I’d say that is closer to the 37C.

I’d highly recommend giving this razor a try. The feel is different from anything I have tried thus far, which has been: 6C, cheap Feather, Parker 96, a Yental, a Baili, Gillette Superspeeds of various years, and Gillette Slim. And this was noticeably different from them all.

The one thing I don’t like is that the quality isn’t where I would like it. The finish under the ca is noticeably different from the outside. The base metal is likely zinc, (I may be wrong) which knock out replating.

I ordered mine from The Traditional Shaving Company for £29. They had very good international shipping to Japan. The combo beat everything from every other place I checked.

Very nice review. Take a look at the underside of the base plate - if you see "Merkur," you have the updated 37C which is supposed to be milder than pre 2013 37C's. If you want to see really nice chroming/finishing, look for vintage Hoffritz or Coles' razors on ebay. These are Muhle 37C's often with silver plating.

 

[Zerpersande]

Very nice review. Take a look at the underside of the base plate - if you see "Merkur," you have the updated 37C which is supposed to be milder than pre 2013 37C's. If you want to see really nice chroming/finishing, look for vintage Hoffritz or Coles' razors on ebay. These are Muhle 37C's often with silver plating.

I read about that change before I bought mine, and from the dates of the pists talking about the change, I figured I would get the updated model. Thanks for the info and, yep, mine is updated. The very first article I read said the 37C was aggressive. If cutting right through the beard with ease is aggressive, then it is still ‘aggressive’. But those posts talked about aggressive in terms of being careful with the razor, which I didn’t see a need for.

The only thing that I noticed was that when shaving close to my goatee it caught a hair. Twice. It felt as if the hair got caught between some parts on the razor, not a lack of ability of the razor to cut.

Yeah, and thanks for telling me about the vintage razors. $$$. ;-)

 

[Zerpersande]

Shaved for the second time. Still very impressed with how smooth this razor is! With this shave I did a small amount of touch up with each pass, just a couple of extra strokes here and there. With the final touch I spent more time than I do with my Slim. Even used a bit of pressure. But the final result, although better than the first, is still not my ‘almost perfect’ BBS. So rather than the 6C+Slim, my standard setup is going to be 37C+Slim.

 

[DSK]

Nice update. What blade are you using in the 37C?

 

[Zerpersande]

Nice update. What blade are you using in the 37C?

The same Nacet. So this is the second usage of that blade. I’m interested to see how the blades hold up. Two shaves was fine. But I have heard some say that the blades don’t last as long. I generally use a blade 3 or 4 times, but some people who used their blades for a week or more were saying they only got about 3 days from them.

 

[Red Rider]

Very nice review. Take a look at the underside of the base plate - if you see "Merkur," you have the updated 37C which is supposed to be milder than pre 2013 37C's. If you want to see really nice chroming/finishing, look for vintage Hoffritz or Coles' razors on ebay. These are Muhle 37C's often with silver plating.

I apparently have the older version. My first shave with it years back resulted in what felt like a removal of the first layer of skin and left me with a burning sensation. I was using too aggressive of a cutting angle and probably pressure since it was my first razor post using carts. I now receive a efficient nic / wheeper free shave with it and use it to finish a somewhat used blade introducing another cutting angle without tugging.

 

[rusty1]

When I first used mine in the early 2000s, I found that no pressure was key. In their old advertising when the slant was first released, their claim was that the correct angle was built into the razor. Sometime along the way, Merkur added dips or scallops to the top cap and squared the top cap a bit more. I've never used one with the old top cap but all the reviews I've read are positive.

 

[Zerpersande]

.... I found that no pressure was key.

I’ve never understood this. I can get using the weight of the razor when shaving down on the cheeks and sides of neck. But under th3 chin is an overhang and it is impossible to shave there without applying pressure. Ditto during most of the ATG passes, as the razor is horizontal and therefore no pressure is being generated against the skin. And when shaving upwards, if there is no pressure the razor will swing away from the face.

Wouldn’t it be better to say that only minimal, light, very slight pressure should be used?

And today is my third try with the 37C. Same results.

 

[rusty1]

Yes, it would. Sloppy diction on my part. No pressure has become short for "no pressure like you would with a cartridge razor." A good analogy someone else used for DE's is "you are shaving your face, not raking leaves." The design of a cartridge razor makes you press down, like the motion when raking leaves. Glad you're liking the 37C.

 

[BenBest]

I found my perfect combo with my post 2013 37c , is a Voskhod blade, no pre shave oil, Proraso red, 10049 boar bristle brush,
3 pass shave smooth as silk, and very close shave.
Zero irritation. Can’t speak highly enough of this razor/blade combo.
Cheers. Ben

 

[jFrode]

37c was the answer for my problems with irritations. I find this razor to be pretty mild because a use slightly less pressure compered with my other razors (DE-89, Parker's of various types and some low costs). I get the same number of shaves per blade from it (3-4) before tugging to much. With the 37c I can shave daily. I do not find it any more aggressive than my other razors, just 20-30 % more effective which to me makes all the difference.

 

[boyle24]

1- Yes, I would agree that it gave a strong performance. I was extremely pleased with the razor throughout the entire shave. The best words to describe it are ‘smooth’ and ‘relaxing’.
2- It was lighter than the 6C. Although I kinda’ wished it was a bit heavier, maybe the lighter weight made it more relaxing. I wondered about maybe the 39C with the longer handle. And I would try it if given the chance. But I don’t see how it will give any better results and this razor was fun.
3- I use the #5 plate in the Rockwell. Have tried it on the #6 and although it may give a bit closer shave it isn’t enough to eliminate the touchup with the Slim. And the alum bar stings significantly more, to the point of being unpleasant. When I first got the 6C I started with the #3 plate and although that has been a while back, I’d say that is closer to the 37C.

I’d highly recommend giving this razor a try. The feel is different from anything I have tried thus far, which has been: 6C, cheap Feather, Parker 96, a Yental, a Baili, Gillette Superspeeds of various years, and Gillette Slim. And this was noticeably different from them all.

The one thing I don’t like is that the quality isn’t where I would like it. The finish under the ca is noticeably different from the outside. The base metal is likely zinc, (I may be wrong) which knock out replating.

I ordered mine from The Traditional Shaving Company for £29. They had very good international shipping to Japan. The combo beat everything from every other place I checked.

Very nice review. Take a look at the underside of the base plate - if you see "Merkur," you have the updated 37C which is supposed to be milder than pre 2013 37C's. If you want to see really nice chroming/finishing, look for vintage Hoffritz or Coles' razors on ebay. These are Muhle 37C's often with silver plating.

This is indeed the best review

 

[BenBest]

Merkur progress is all I can say.
Like a 37c just better in every way .

 

[boyle24]

1- Yes, I would agree that it gave a strong performance. I was extremely pleased with the razor throughout the entire shave. The best words to describe it are ‘smooth’ and ‘relaxing’.
2- It was lighter than the 6C. Although I kinda’ wished it was a bit heavier, maybe the lighter weight made it more relaxing. I wondered about maybe the 39C with the longer handle. And I would try it if given the chance. But I don’t see how it will give any better results and this razor was fun.
3- I use the #5 plate in the Rockwell. Have tried it on the #6 and although it may give a bit closer shave it isn’t enough to eliminate the touchup with the Slim. And the alum bar stings significantly more, to the point of being unpleasant. When I first got the 6C I started with the #3 plate and although that has been a while back, I’d say that is closer to the 37C.

I’d highly recommend giving this razor a try. The feel is different from anything I have tried thus far, which has been: 6C, cheap Feather, Parker 96, a Yental, a Baili, Gillette Superspeeds of various years, and Gillette Slim. And this was mycoles different from them all.

The one thing I don’t like is that the quality isn’t where I would like it. The finish under the ca is noticeably different from the outside. The base metal is likely zinc, (I may be wrong) which knock out replating.

I ordered mine from The Traditional Shaving Company for £29. They had very good international shipping to Japan. The combo beat everything from every other place I checked.

Merkur progress is all I can say.
Like a 37c just better in every way .

Is it available in Coles stores?