Merkur Slant Bar - defect?

[chamm]

OK, not even at 10 posts yet, and I've managed to make at least two moderators angry... Let's see if I can actually follow the rules and get that average up a little...

I just purchased a Merkur 37C, and was somewhat underwhelmed by its performance. I've been using a Mühle R41 for a couple months now, and I was looking for something that might be a little milder, yet still able to give a close shave. The 37c seemed, at least on paper, to fit this bill. I found on receiving it, though, that the construction seemed somewhat shoddy.



Notice the sloppy flashing on the edge. It's there on both sides. The craftsmanship just doesn't seem anywhere close to my R41, or even my Parker 71R for that matter, which is more or less just a cheap (but really not bad) Indian knockoff of a Mühle R89.

So my question is: Did I get scammed? Could this be a counterfeit? Should I ask for my money back from the online vendor (who has a no-return policy.) Or is this just something normal, and I'm being stupid about it?

Thanks in advance for your sage wisdom.

 

[a Rose's thorn]

Hi Chamm and welcome to B & B. I would be pretty pissed if I pulled that out of a new Merkur box. You say there is a no return policy, so....there have been threads here where members have e-mailed Merkur - some have had positive results, others so-so. It might be worth a shot. That looks like it wouldn't affect your shave, but that still shouldn't have passed quality control. Good luck!!

 

[Invicta]

I don't know where you are located so I will try and help. Even with remote selling, the product should be as described and fit for purpose. Generally a no returns policy cannot overide those criteria.
I cannot see exactly what you are referring to. Can you provide some more information.
It can be very disappointing to have to seek redress in these situations. Of course you could have been sold a copy which is even more disappointing. Did it come in Merkur packaging?

 

[Haegar]

I would send it back.

 

[chamm]

It is a little hard to discern from the photo, so I've uploaded another image where I've drawn in a line that might help to visually enhance the defect. It's quite a bit more pronounced when looking at the razor in-person.



Honestly, I don't believe that particular defect affects the shave. It's just indicative of the quality of the unit as a whole. Flashing like this indicates that it was cast with a mold which didn't line up properly, and is really sloppy. My kids' cheap Wal-Mart toys don't have flashing like that. I'm wondering if it's some sort of knockoff. It DID come in, what appears to be, a Merkur box. The box contained a "sample blade" which appears to be a Merkur blade. But the feel of it is very cheap. The head plate is very thin, and the blade has to be adjusted in order to seat properly. I could easily take a thin file and remove the flashing, if indeed this is what is to be expected from a genuine Merkur razor. But that wouldn't help the blade alignment or whatever other issues might be causing me to get a mediocre-at-best shave from it.

 

[jpakstis]

It sounds like a defect, not a knock-off. I don't know of any other manufacturer that makes slants other than iKon. Its not like you ordered a 34c and got a Lord L6 instead.

 

[Haegar]

Honestly, I don't believe that particular defect affects the shave.

I think that's not the point. I assume you paid your hard earned money for a Merkur 37c, which is known to not be the same top notch craftsmanship like Muhle razors are, but not that bad like what your pictures are showing either. Just return it and ask for a better specimen or full refunds. That is what I would do.

 

[mikelz777]

I just checked on mine and it's very similar. Meh, it doesn't bother me in the least. It doesn't affect the shave in any way. It's shoddier than it should be but to me, it's just a minor cosmetic thing. I don't think it's enough to get all lathered up about. (pun intended)

 

[chamm]

I also don't want to denigrate the online merchant; I only wrote them an email about an hour ago. It would have been nice to get someone on the phone - Their customer service number went to voicemail. I'm a reasonable person, and would like to give them an opportunity to make this right. The reason I asked around, however, is that I don't want to be unreasonable when they contact me. If this is an actual Merkur product, and the store has a no refund policy, I'm honorable enough to abide by that. I'll write it off as a lesson learned and henceforth never recommend another Merkur product again. However, if my newfound B&B brethren can look at this and conclude that it's not typical of Merkur quality, then I will be persistent, and one way or another, I'll make sure this is made right.

 

[chamm]

...top notch craftsmanship like Muhle razors are...

My Mühle R41 is a work of art. It's a real shame they don't make a slant bar. When I'm all grown up, I want to get an Ikon slant, but the Mrs. is already on my case me about my "money saving" switch to wet-shaving.

 

[Kev Kev]

I just checked on mine and it's very similar. Meh, it doesn't bother me in the least. It doesn't affect the shave in any way. It's shoddier than it should be but to me, it's just a minor cosmetic thing. I don't think it's enough to get all lathered up about.

However, if my newfound B&B brethren can look at this and conclude that it's not typical of Merkur quality, then I will be persistent, and one way or another, I'll make sure this is made right.

It may be atypical of Merkurs' products, but there are obviously examples out there similar to yours. Checking my 39c, I didn't notice anything peculiar about the 'teeth'—but then again I'm not using a magnifying glass; just eye-balling and nothing looks out of place. This slant is very nice razor that provides exceptional shaves.

 

[Haegar]

My Mühle R41 is a work of art. It's a real shame they don't make a slant bar.

I absolutely agree. They should, no, they must make a slant!

Wish you luck with the online dealer, hopefully he not only makes things right for you but also reports it to Merkur in order they will make things right for him and keep an eye on their quality control.

 

[chamm]

I just spoke with Tasos at ChicagoShaving.com, and I must say, they are absolutely going to make this right. (I didn't want to mention the name earlier in case things got ugly. ) I got a personal call from the merchant, and had a very long and detailed conversation, where he offered me a number of options. After speaking with him, I don't believe the Merkur is a knockoff, or that I was in any way scammed. He kindly offered to trade me some products equal in value to the 37C, and accept the return. He was very knowledgeable and friendly, to boot.

So... looks like this is going to have a happy ending. Thanks to everyone in the forum your wisdom, and I would encourage everyone to check out ChicagoShaving.com's storefront. As a community, we should be encouraging these types of business practices.

I'm not implying that other vendors out there are equally great. Just wanted to share my positive experience.

 

[ackvil]

I checked my Merkur slant (I shaved with it this a.m.) and I can't find any imperfections in the teeth or the plating.

 

[kcb5150]

Even my vintage hoffritz has a touch of that in the very corner. My 90s example has it on three corners. Just in the very corner.

 

[Oel]

Dovo - are they still in business? I didn't know that they are still in business (just kidding).

No, I've had a new, unused Merkur razor that came in poor quality too. There were deep scratches (deeper than the chrome layer) and missing chrome plating in some areas right out of the box.

I emailed Dovo and got reply directly from the confidential clerk from that company. He said that all these things are in normal tolerances.

I asked for a replacement but they were not willing to send me one in exchange for my faulty Merkur. Some members here had more luck and got a replacement from them. But I suspect it has something to do if you live inside the U.S. (what is an important marked for them) or not.

They seem not to have a quality control. I feel that their customers have to do that job for them. If you're lucky you get a flawless razor, if you're not lucky you will experience a poor customer service. I was surprized that other customers experienced that too, not only me. There are a few treats about the Merkur quality in different forums all over the world.

 

[kcb5150]

It's a shame they can't step it up just in terms of the finishing... Their razors still almost without compare when it comes to shave quality.

 

[Oel]

Yes, but there are vintage Merkurs with all their brandings (Hoffritz, Coles, Pomco etc.) out there. I never found a faulty vintage Merkur.

 

[Invicta]

I can see the problem in that last picture. That razor should have not left the factory. The casting is poor but will not affect the business end, i.e. it will shave fine. I am wondering if the vendor knew there was a problem or has got hold of a few seconds.
I would be interested in what Dovo have to say.
Still try for an exchange or refund with the vendor.
(Okay, I see you had a good response from the vendor. Nice result and good vendor.)

 

[garyg]

This post made me go and check, admittedly I hadn't before noticed the condition pictured (unremoved flashing from the cheap pot metal castings that are used for these razor heads). I have a 37C like the OP, a Sledgehammer 39C, a vintage Coles & a Hoffritz. None show the sloppy build quality pictured, but each had what looks like a deliberate "rib" on the outside edge of the wide side. Glad to see the vendor made it right.