I just purchased 2 Merkur razors from WCS and they are on there way to me. I have read some disturbing things about Merkurs chrome plating (after my purchase of course) and I wanted everyone to help out and chime in. Are all their razors like this, or is it hit and miss, is it just the old ones or new ones. Can I do anything to prevent it from happening. Whats the skinny on this problem? If it helps the two razors I ordered are the 39c HD Long Handle Barber Pole, Slant Bar and the 15c Classic, Open Tooth.
Merkur Finish Quality?
- Thread starter seanusa
- Start date
Chances are you'll have no problems with either one.
i've had my 34c since last july, still looks great.
I've had my HD for several years and it looks as good as new.
Let me start by saying that you will most likely have no issues. But I had an issue with mine and it turned me off
buying their razors.
This happened to a Futur I owned few years ago. I owned the razor for less than a year when I noticed the small
black pinholes in the plating. It got worse and the plating flaked off in a few places. This led to the zamak base metal
corroding. And finally some chunks of metal fell out one day while I was rinsing. I maintained the razor and kept it clean
and dry when not in use and I still had issues with the plating.
But it was their response to my issue that really turned me off. When I wrote Merkur they suggested flaking of the
plating was due to a problem with my water.
Other members received similar responses such as:
Original thread:
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=135882
I've read that others here have had good experiences with Merkur customer service. As always YMMV.
buying their razors.
This happened to a Futur I owned few years ago. I owned the razor for less than a year when I noticed the small
black pinholes in the plating. It got worse and the plating flaked off in a few places. This led to the zamak base metal
corroding. And finally some chunks of metal fell out one day while I was rinsing. I maintained the razor and kept it clean
and dry when not in use and I still had issues with the plating.
But it was their response to my issue that really turned me off. When I wrote Merkur they suggested flaking of the
plating was due to a problem with my water.
Other members received similar responses such as:
Original thread:
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=135882
I've read that others here have had good experiences with Merkur customer service. As always YMMV.
Ive owned 4 Merkurs, all was good except my progress that has a tiny pin mark on its head (only i can see this) and it has a machine mark on the handle.
its 50/50 if you ask me.
its 50/50 if you ask me.
I've never had any trouble with the plating on any of my Merkurs. The vast majority of us don't.
+1 Merkur razor plating is known for not being as "polished and pretty" as EJ and Muhle..... but I've not had any major issues with my Merkurs beyond that.
Ben
- Thread starter
- #10
Sounds like for the most part Merkur produce a quality product with a few exceptions based on the level of their mass production and the inevitable defects that occur because of it. If one does experience plate loss is it best to contact the vendor you purchase from or the manufacturer directly and what kind of a warranty do Merkur currently have?
The main problem with Merkur is not so much that their QC can be off sometimes but that their customer service is all over the place as well.
Seriously; loss of warranty because your razor got wet?! I rather spend my money elsewhere.
Seriously; loss of warranty because your razor got wet?! I rather spend my money elsewhere.
Bingo.
It's how a company responds to a problem, either real or perceived, that reveals the character.
This is true of almost everything except for dogs.
- Thread starter
- #13
I take it if a problem presents itself it would be better to deal with the vendor and let them deal with Merkur?
Right now, 6 out of 38 people have had issues with the finish. I'd like to get one of their slants but those odds (so far) aren't very reassuring. Blaming the water, especially on a product meant to be used in water and on a razor used for less than a year is pathetic and inexcusable.
For those who have had issues, was your water hard or soft water?
For those who have had issues, was your water hard or soft water?
Always contact the vendor first. When it comes to issues with plating you also have to take into account that people care for their razors differently. Some clean daily or weekly with Scrubbing Bubbles, Marvicide, Toothpaste, Lime Away or just water. Some do not clean at all and just wipe the razor down. The cleaning regimen that someone chooses may have negative impact on plating durability.
Dissatisfied customers are generally more vocal than satisfied ones.
However, blaming the water is a real poor excuse.
Unless Merkur has justified confidence in the wonderfulness of its plating, the company's immediate assumption that the problem is the water is a bit lame.
My Progress/Mergress razors have been fine; they're great razors. One person's experience isn't worth much by itself. But we do read on this site from those with Merkur plating issues, whereas at least I don't recall reading similar posts about Muhle or EJ.
Merkur would explain, of course, that Muhle and EJ owners live in areas with better water.
My Progress/Mergress razors have been fine; they're great razors. One person's experience isn't worth much by itself. But we do read on this site from those with Merkur plating issues, whereas at least I don't recall reading similar posts about Muhle or EJ.
Merkur would explain, of course, that Muhle and EJ owners live in areas with better water.
Your opinion on this question has a lot to do with your expectations. Some people are just more particular than others. If you want to buy a production razor, but are demanding about fit and finish, buy an Edwin Jagger or Muhle. If you're really, really particular, you need to step up and pay for artisan-grade workmanship as in Tradere, Above the Tie, Ikon, and Weber (which may offer the best workmanship for the buck around). I think Merkur does a good job for what you pay. I don't expect the same level of finish quality from a Merkur that I do from Tradere or Joris. I think that's reasonable. If the minor issues with my one Merkur (a Mergress) bothers me enough, I'll call on Kona Kruiser of one of the other artisan platers here on the forum and have it re-finished. It's not much money, and then you have something really special with a finish that will last decades.
I have 8 Merkur DE's, and never a problem with any of them. From what I've read on the forums if there is ever a problem with a Merkur, either the vendor or the company itself has taken care of it.
I think there is this perception that razors have to last lifetimes. How many millions of Gillette razors were made that never made it that far? A lot.
Would it be nice that Merkur made a plated brass razor? Sure. Not going to happen though. Will a plated Zamak razor last your lifetime? Probably. There are enough vintage ones floating around to support that assumption.
Would it be nice that Merkur made a plated brass razor? Sure. Not going to happen though. Will a plated Zamak razor last your lifetime? Probably. There are enough vintage ones floating around to support that assumption.
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