Original 34C Thursdays

[mozartman]

It isn't Thursday yet, but I've got other stuff to do later this week, so today I'm starting a thread for Original 34C Thursdays. As many of you already know, Merkur is retooling and using that as an excuse to redesign the classic and beloved 34C. Many of us started or returned after many years to DE shaving with this razor. Many of us still use it, at least now and then, despite a few quirks, such as the "wiggle room" in the blade, the exposed side tabs that may be needed to keep that blade in alignment, and a tendency to chatter if you're careless with blade angle. Many of us shake our heads at the blade gap war some current manufacturers are engaging in, as if a mild shaver is necessarily a bad thing.

Or it could just be a matter of nostalgia. The Merkur 34 design has its roots in the 1920s, shortly after Gillette's original patents expired (iirc). Either way, please observe and enjoy Original 34C Thursdays.

 

[Alex Jr]

Actually, the redesigned 34C was made to return to the original 50s/60s specifications (gap and exposure). Lots of info about that on a German forum.

But nice thread either way! Not enough love for this classic razor!

 

[mozartman]

Actually, the redesigned 34C was made to return to the original 50s/60s specifications (gap and exposure). Lots of info about that on a German forum.

But nice thread either way! Not enough love for this classic razor!

But not the covered blade tabs, right? That's the most important "classic" feature for me. It just isn't a vintage razor any more without them. There was a painfully detailed and illustrated discussion of the history of the Merkur 34 online somewhere. Maybe somebody here can provide a link.

 

[Mr Konrad Dundee]

Actually, the redesigned 34C was made to return to the original 50s/60s specifications (gap and exposure). Lots of info about that on a German forum.

But nice thread either way! Not enough love for this classic razor!

Differences between the old and the new?
how to recognize it?

 

[drydown]

Differences between the old and the new?
how to recognize it?

Has Merkur Redesigned the 34C? Mine's Super Mild.

My wife just got me a Merkur 34C for an early birthday present. I had a shave with it this morning, and I really love it. It's really mild. I'd say about Tech mild. Being a fan of mild razors, this is perfect for me. I had a 34C in the past, and I remember it being a bit more aggressive. Is...

www.badgerandblade.com

 

[mozartman]

Has Merkur Redesigned the 34C? Mine's Super Mild.

My wife just got me a Merkur 34C for an early birthday present. I had a shave with it this morning, and I really love it. It's really mild. I'd say about Tech mild. Being a fan of mild razors, this is perfect for me. I had a 34C in the past, and I remember it being a bit more aggressive. Is...

www.badgerandblade.com

Yes, that German forum discussion confirms the exposed blade tabs have been covered with the new design. That may be an improvement (or not), but the exposed tabs, though I don't prefer them for shaving, are one of the main things that say 'classic' or 'historic' to me. Mind you, I do not, not, not intend to start a debate here over whether the new version is better, worse, or the same as the old one. I'm just inviting people to join me in using the old version on Thursdays.

 

[Alex Jr]

But not the covered blade tabs, right? That's the most important "classic" feature for me. It just isn't a vintage razor any more without them. There was a painfully detailed and illustrated discussion of the history of the Merkur 34 online somewhere. Maybe somebody here can provide a link.

That was the “new feature”. You’re right.

But the head parameters were modified to mirror the old 34C. More gap and different exposure as well.

 

[dreadpirate]

I have owned four Merkurs of which I still have two. But I never owned a 34C.

 

[DE Steve]

Started wet shaving 8 years ago with a 34C and still revisit it frequently.

Shaved with it daily for 3 years before moving on to a Progress.

It's one of my top 3 shavers (no special order); Merkur Progress, Muhle R89 and the 34C.

 

[mozartman]

My first 34C Thursday shave is in the books. Derby Usta blade, Tabac soap, and Nivea Sensitive (alcohol-free, a must for me) ASB afterwards. Perfect. I guess I'll need a German brush rather than the Vulfix badger I used today.

 

[VBH37118]

Good morning,out of the 25 or so de razors I have I always seem to go back to one of my four Merkur razors.34c,38c,47c and 37c. Where can I buy the new redesigned 34c. Thank you

 

[mozartman]

Good morning,out of the 25 or so de razors I have I always seem to go back to one of my four Merkur razors.34c,38c,47c and 37c. Where can I buy the new redesigned 34c. Thank you

I think the new one will be the only one you can get soon enough. Unfortunately, imo.

 

[VBH37118]

I think the new one will be the only one you can get soon enough. Unfortunately, imo.

Thank you for your help, hope Amazon will carry it, how does it shave if I may ask?

 

[mozartman]

Thank you for your help, hope Amazon will carry it, how does it shave if I may ask?

I don't have the new one and don't plan to get it. A few years ago Merkur made the threaded post on the 34C zamak (like the cap and base) where it had been brass. The plating on the threads is prone to wear out rather quickly, and once the zamak underneath is exposed, the razor is done. There was a thread here about this when the change took place and people were wondering why their 34C was deteriorating so quickly. If you can find that thread, you can see at least one photo of what I am talking about.

 

[VBH37118]

I don't have the new one and don't plan to get it. A few years ago Merkur made the threaded post on the 34C zamak (like the cap and base) where it had been brass. The plating on the threads is prone to wear out rather quickly, and once the zamak underneath is exposed, the razor is done. There was a thread here about this when the change took place and people were wondering why their 34C was deteriorating so quickly. If you can find that thread, you can see at least one photo of what I am talking about.

Thank you for your quick response. I will most likely buy it, love the look and feel of the 34c plus the new model is supposed to be a close replica of the original model a little more efficient.Last night I shaved with the 38c and got a really nice shave, and again thank you for the info on the problem with the zamak.

 

[mozartman]

Thank you for your quick response. I will most likely buy it, love the look and feel of the 34c plus the new model is supposed to be a close replica of the original model a little more efficient.Last night I shaved with the 38c and got a really nice shave, and again thank you for the info on the problem with the zamak.

Let us know what you think. I don't need anything more efficient than the original, but obviously that is a very personal thing.

 

[VBH37118]

Let us know what you think. I don't need anything more efficient than the original, but obviously that is a very personal thing.

I UNDERSTAND THIS

 

[VBH37118]

Of course I will report back when I shave with it, tonight I shaved with the 37c great shave with pol silver.

 

[VBH37118]

Another nice smooth shave with murkur 34c with a pol silver and yardley of London bar soap,nice to have a merkur 34c thread.

 

[ewk]

Original 34C Thursday

Nice to participate in a thread dedicated to my first razor. You never forget your first