I got my 1904 in the mail today drowned it in barbercide then put a wilkerson in it and did my usual prep. I ended up making 2 wtgs 2 atgs and some xtgs and still had a lot of stubble. I thought I had decent blade angle maybe I need to try a different blade. Does anyone have any suggestions?
need help with my 1904
- Thread starter mike72
- Start date
Gotta be the angle. I have a 1904 and they shave very well (Feather). The handle is different, that may be what's throwing you off - that little nub can sometimes encourage some creativity with angles. What razor did you come from? You may just need a couple days to get used to it.
Also check the blade exposure on both sides, sometimes the blade alignment can be a little off.
Hope this helps.
Also check the blade exposure on both sides, sometimes the blade alignment can be a little off.
Hope this helps.
- Thread starter
- #3
I've been using a 38c a HUGE difference in handle length. Another learning curve I guess. 
Mike, the 1904 is my favorite Merkur, and is capable of shaving you well. I was lucky when I got mine in that I prefer short handles and the lay up against my face was right on without me having to make hardly any adjustment. It should have taken you smooth with the passes you described, so work on your finesse until you get used to it. If you like simple three piece razors, it's worth it. A good razor.
I love my 38c! Some day I'll try others but for now...I'll stick with that!
Do you have the open comb version? In that one the blade lies just about flat against the guard teeth so there is not much blade gap. Very little "wiggle room" to adjust the blade angle.
- Thread starter
- #7
Yeah I have the open comb. I'll try a different angle.
Also bear in mind that the blades of today are very different from the blades of 1904 in both thickness and manufacturing tolerances.
You have to make dead sure that the blade is lined up end to end as well as side to side.
I just took a look at the 1906 I have, and with a little jimmying, it's possible to get the blade with almost zero exposure on one side while it hangs way out on the other.
EDIT: Didn't at first realize you were talking about the Merkur 1904 as a model rather than a vintage 1904 model, but the issue still likely applies with the sizing of "old type" posts and all.
You have to make dead sure that the blade is lined up end to end as well as side to side.
I just took a look at the 1906 I have, and with a little jimmying, it's possible to get the blade with almost zero exposure on one side while it hangs way out on the other.
EDIT: Didn't at first realize you were talking about the Merkur 1904 as a model rather than a vintage 1904 model, but the issue still likely applies with the sizing of "old type" posts and all.
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Actually I do have a suggestion -- some have increased the blade gap by making a "shim" from a blade (snip off the sharp edges). This can be used to hold the blade a bit higher, increasing the blade gap.
Merkur or vintage Gillette, the geometry is about the same, thus the "1904" unofficial nickname for the Merkur. The theory is that back in 1904 blades were thicker and stiffer and the blade gap could be adjusted by how tightly or loosely the cap was screwed down. I had a Merkur 1904 but never tried that.
