Merkur Heads/Comparison to another DE

[Jethro1984]

I was curious about something. I was looking at saving up for a Merkur 38C with the Blue handle because I hear it's a great razor to have and i'm looking for a slightly longer handle. I also know that Cooncatbob of Bob's Razor Works makes custom handles with your choice of head. This piqued the following curiosity:

What is it between Merkur Models that differs? Are the heads different between models or is it just the handle that differs for the most part and you basically have a choice of a Standard, Adjustable, or Slant?

I am also curious how a Merkur 38C head (which I think is standard) would compare to a Gillette Milord (what I currently have and am learning with) in terms of agressiveness, etc.

Thank you in advance.

 

[Luc]

Here's what I know and I am no merkur expert. There are only 2 merkurs that are 3 pieces the 1904 and classic. The others are 2 pieces. What I mean by 2-3 pieces is if you disassemble the razor you will have 2 or 3 pieces on the table. Then, you will have the TTO-1 piece (Future, Vision).

Obviously, the Slant have a different head (cap) than the other 2 pieces. I didn't have many merkurs so I do not know if they are all interchangables between them (i.e. cap of the open comb[2 pieces] could be changed for the cap of the HD[2 pieces]...). I think it can but someone who has/had both can confirm.

For the aggressivness, have a look at the wiki page, it should give you an idea.
http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/index.php/Double-Edged_Safety_Razors_Ranked_by_Aggressiveness

 

[Jethro1984]

Thank you Luc for the help.

From what I can determine both the Milord (which I understand to be a gold plated Super Speed) and the 38c are basically the same agressiveness if I used the chart correctly (late 1940's Super Speed).

Can anyone confirm that I've read the chart correctly and made the correct determinations here?

Thanks.

 

[hockey_magnet]

Very small correction: The Futur is a 2 piece not TTO

Here's what I know and I am no merkur expert. There are only 2 merkurs that are 3 pieces the 1904 and classic. The others are 2 pieces. What I mean by 2-3 pieces is if you disassemble the razor you will have 2 or 3 pieces on the table. Then, you will have the TTO-1 piece (Future, Vision).

Obviously, the Slant have a different head (cap) than the other 2 pieces. I didn't have many merkurs so I do not know if they are all interchangables between them (i.e. cap of the open comb[2 pieces] could be changed for the cap of the HD[2 pieces]...). I think it can but someone who has/had both can confirm.

For the aggressivness, have a look at the wiki page, it should give you an idea.
http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/index.php/Double-Edged_Safety_Razors_Ranked_by_Aggressiveness

 

[Oldguy]

I believe the chart is a good guide when comparing one Gillette razor to another but not necessarily that useful when comparing one brand to another. There are other factors such as blade angle which enter the mix. I use a Milord in my standard rotation but do not use Merkurs at all any more. I find the HD is a mild shaver and not as aggressive as the Milord. The Milord is a smooth shave though. But I think you can adapt to just about any razor given the right blade-razor combination.
Len

 

[Jethro1984]

That's good to know. I guess it can't hurt to have a few different brands.

 

[luvmysuper]

That's good to know. I guess it can't hurt to have a few different brands.

The only place it hurts is your wallet!

Happy Independence day.

God Bless our Troops

 

[Luc]

Very small correction: The Futur is a 2 piece not TTO

That's right, I forget about that head...

 

[scottish steve]

The Vision is the only 1-piece and its not worth buying. The Futur is the only 2 piece (possibly in history) and its great. The 34c/37c/38c etc are 3 pieces, maquerading as 2 pieces for no reason. The 1904, 23c etc are "classic" 3-pieces like a Tech. I have a Milord and the shave and technique needed to get the best from it is very different from that needed with the Merkurs I've tried. TBH, the Merkurs seemed far more intuitive to me than the Gillettes, tho the Gs do shave well. The Milord is in no way aggressive and I feel the blade-gap charts, while useful, give less info than some imagine they do, as many other factors determine the quality and character of a shave.

 

[inspectoring]

The Vision is the only 1-piece and its not worth buying. The Futur is the only 2 piece (possibly in history) and its great. The 34c/37c/38c etc are 3 pieces, maquerading as 2 pieces for no reason. The 1904, 23c etc are "classic" 3-pieces like a Tech. I have a Milord and the shave and technique needed to get the best from it is very different from that needed with the Merkurs I've tried. TBH, the Merkurs seemed far more intuitive to me than the Gillettes, tho the Gs do shave well. The Milord is in no way aggressive and I feel the blade-gap charts, while useful, give less info than some imagine they do, as many other factors determine the quality and character of a shave.

Agreed - please stay away from Vision.

 

[Crazy Dave]

Here's what I know and I am no merkur expert. There are only 2 merkurs that are 3 pieces the 1904 and classic. The others are 2 pieces. What I mean by 2-3 pieces is if you disassemble the razor you will have 2 or 3 pieces on the table. Then, you will have the TTO-1 piece (Future, Vision).

Obviously, the Slant have a different head (cap) than the other 2 pieces. I didn't have many merkurs so I do not know if they are all interchangables between them (i.e. cap of the open comb[2 pieces] could be changed for the cap of the HD[2 pieces]...). I think it can but someone who has/had both can confirm.

For the aggressivness, have a look at the wiki page, it should give you an idea.
http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/index.php/Double-Edged_Safety_Razors_Ranked_by_Aggressiveness

The Merkur Travel Razor is 3 piece also. It comes in bar and open tooth.

Dave

 

[Crazy Dave]

I was curious about something. I was looking at saving up for a Merkur 38C with the Blue handle because I hear it's a great razor to have and i'm looking for a slightly longer handle. I also know that Cooncatbob of Bob's Razor Works makes custom handles with your choice of head. This piqued the following curiosity:

What is it between Merkur Models that differs? Are the heads different between models or is it just the handle that differs for the most part and you basically have a choice of a Standard, Adjustable, or Slant?

I am also curious how a Merkur 38C head (which I think is standard) would compare to a Gillette Milord (what I currently have and am learning with) in terms of agressiveness, etc.

Thank you in advance.

Merkurs come in bar and open-comb styles. The open-comb seem a little more agressive to me and I like that. I have just bought a 12C wich is an open-comb barber pole. It arrived yesterday from WCS and I tried it this morning. I love everything about it. It has great balance and feel and the barber pole give a great wet grip. DFS! The head is identical to my open-comb travel razor (ecept the travel razor is 3 peice).

Dave

 

[razor_n_blade]

Are the heads different between models or is it just the handle that differs for the most part and you basically have a choice of a Standard, Adjustable, or Slant?

Aside from the Slant, the top headpiece is identical on the straight bar and open comb versions and can be interchanged. At first, I didn't think this was so, because from the side, you can see that the headpiece on the straight bar HD (left) has a deeper notch, but they are exactly the same on my Barberpoles. It was probably just a small design change, because the fit is fine regardless of which headpiece is on which razor.