What is a good second razor to buy after the Merkur 23C?

[PistolSlap]

I've had the Merkur 23C for about 6 months now, and it's good, but I thought I might get another just for the variety. When I first got the Merkur 23C, I had heard that the short handle is better due to different weight distribution, but I got the long handle because it was closest to the razors I was used to using, which I figured would be a good transitional step.

What would be a good second razor to try?
Around the $50 budget.

 

[celestino]

An open-comb razor from Merkur; the Cadet razors; so many out there. Good luck.

 

[PistolSlap]

I see a lot of Gillette blades on Ebay -- are so many of them for sale because they're terrible, or what?

 

[VerbaVolant]

I've had the Merkur 23C for about 6 months now, and it's good, but I thought I might get another just for the variety...

Another Merkur, I gather.
If so,

...What would be a good second razor to try?
Around the $50 budget.

Merkur 15C.
It is a Merkur. Check
It is Open Comb = different from 23C, closed comb. Check
It has a short handle. It works with your 23C and vice versa. Check
It is around $30 plus shipping. Check

My advice: save the money ($50 that is) for something better.

 

[The Count of Merkur Cristo]

Pistol:
Maybe a Merkur 38C (I also have the 23C), or the new 47C?

Read More: http://thesuperiorshave.com/Merkur_Razors.html

"Merkur; Solingen quality,Time-tested Tradition with Modern Design".

“A razor [blade] can’t be sharpened on a piece of velvet”. Author Unknown

 

[PistolSlap]

Also, when I was first looking to buy a razor I was leaning toward Edwin Jagger, but decided not to because someone convinced me it was not a very good brand -- do people concur?

 

[PistolSlap]

My advice: save the money ($50 that is) for something better.

such as what?
I'm leaning towards trying another brand because I want to see the difference compared to merkur, but I want it to be a good brand...

 

[jhe888]

I started with a Merkur 180 and then got a Gillette Slim Adjustable. Different but also a fine razor.

 

[vferdman]

Consider one of Edwin Jagger DE89 razors. I feel they are way higher quality than Merkur and provide and outstanding shave that's mild, but efficient. Barley Chrome is one of the most beautiful DE89 razors I have seen. It's one of my favorite razors. I have owned a Merkur 34C and it's a great tool, but fit and finish can't touch an EJ. They cost about the same. They shave slightly different. Both very good, but in the YMMV world of wet shaving one may be more to your liking than the other. Anyway, that's something to try that would not be too far from your 23C in performance and will knock the pants off you in terms of quality. Modern Merkurs are just not that well finished, especially for the money they cost. Also, I hear great things about the new Cadet line. Comes in safety bar, open comb and TTO. Said to be a more aggressive shave than the Merkur and EJ DE89 types. Cost under $30 and the finish on these looks better than Merkur even in the pictures.

Good luck and enjoy!

 

[PistolSlap]

if i were to get another merkur im leaning towards the 37c...

Where is the best site to buy a razor online? price-wise

 

[vferdman]

Also, when I was first looking to buy a razor I was leaning toward Edwin Jagger, but decided not to because someone convinced me it was not a very good brand -- do people concur?

Edwin Jagger makes a higher quality razor than a Merkur, IMO. The head design is similar enough, though I find EJ is has a bit more of a bite. However, the quality of finish on the EJ is on a whole different level than a Merkur. Merkur looks down right cheap compared to the EJ. The chrome is better on EJ, the post cast finish is almost non-existent on the Merkur, but on EJ it almost looks machined and not molded. All the mold marks are filed off and chromed. Merkur leaves the mold marks and the chrome is dull. None of that effect the shave and Merkur razors shave very well, but if you want to try another brand, EJ is, IMO a higher end product. I owned both EJ DE89 Barley Chrome and Merkur 34C and now I only own the Barley Chrome. Sold the 34C. Having said that, I will most likely be looking for a Merkur slant head soon since not too many other makers produce one. Still, I'll be trying to get a vintage Merkur as the fit and finish used be way higher quality in the old days of Merkur.

 

[vferdman]

if i were to get another merkur im leaning towards the 37c...

37C is a slant and will be very different. I think that is my next razor (if I can't find a vintage version). Merkur is one of the few, if not the only manufacturer still producing slant head razors. If you want a different kind of shaver, you should get that. From what I understand it is awesome if you got the technique down.

 

[Dewaine]

Edwin Jagger makes a higher quality razor than a Merkur, IMO. The head design is similar enough, though I find EJ is has a bit more of a bite. However, the quality of finish on the EJ is on a whole different level than a Merkur. Merkur looks down right cheap compared to the EJ. The chrome is better on EJ, the post cast finish is almost non-existent on the Merkur, but on EJ it almost looks machined and not molded. All the mold marks are filed off and chromed. Merkur leaves the mold marks and the chrome is dull. None of that effect the shave and Merkur razors shave very well, but if you want to try another brand, EJ is, IMO a higher end product. I owned both EJ DE89 Barley Chrome and Merkur 34C and now I only own the Barley Chrome. Sold the 34C. Having said that, I will most likely be looking for a Merkur slant head soon since not too many other makers produce one. Still, I'll be trying to get a vintage Merkur as the fit and finish used be way higher quality in the old days of Merkur.

Can't agree more, V. I don't think I'll be using Merkur much since I got this Edwin Jagger:

 

[VerbaVolant]

such as what?
I'm leaning towards trying another brand because I want to see the difference compared to merkur, but I want it to be a good brand...

Well, you did not mention in the original post what "another" means to you. Was it another Merkur? Or, another manufacturer?

Also, when I was first looking to buy a razor I was leaning toward Edwin Jagger, but decided not to because someone convinced me it was not a very good brand -- do people concur?

What do you mean by "not a very good brand"?
Their DE89 is milder than 23C, not by much, while remaining an efficient razor. Their DE89 has a better chrome finish than 23C (with Merkur is always a hit or miss). I know the saying "beauty lies in the eye of the beholder" so, I consider DE89 much nicer and better finished than 23C.
Also, in my experience, Edwin Jagger has what we call Customer Service.

If you want another manufacturer all together, maybe vintage would be an answer, as others suggested.

I see vferdman's reply and could not agree more. I share his opinion as well.

 

[vferdman]

Can't agree more, V. I don't think I'll be using Merkur much since I got this Edwin Jagger:

I deliberated a lot before buying the EJ DE89 Barley Chrome over the 34C initially. Settled on the EJ and was blown away by the quality of finish. Then RAD hit and I got the 34C as well just to see what the deal is. Well, I was extremely surprised to see a German made product finished so poorly. The mechanical design is rock solid, but the finish was just cheap looking. I enjoyed shaving with the 34C, but it was not better than the EJ and I couldn't justify keeping both. So I sold it. Merkur 37C is a whole different story since EJ has no equivalent and neither does Muhle or anyone else I am aware of. Slants are supposed to be some of the best shavers out there and Merkur has the only modern one. My hat is off to them for that. Still, I would first try to find a vintage version. Back when they were made to a higher standard.

 

[fcdiscus]

get a Weber DLc- spring for the 20 bucks over budget. just my 2 cents!

 

[Sledgehammer39]

Try a vintage razor. Gillette Red Tip or Super Adjustable.

 

[Barbash]

First thing would be to decide if you want a new or vintage razor in your price range.

I am on the opposite side of a lot of people in this thread in that I tried a few different Edwin Jagger razors and while they were nice I just didn't like them as much as Merkur razors. There is nothing wrong with the EJs, but I just favored the look and feel of the Merkur. Again that is just me and as you can see there are a number of people that feel the complete opposite.

If you want to try something different I would go with a slant. I have a Merkur 37C and it is a really nice razor, but it is at the top of your price range.

 

[tinashubby]

An Edwin Jagger would be a sideways step, I wouldn't bother.
Open comb, a slant, or a vintage single edge would be my recommendation.
I started with a EJ, now have a Fatip ($30), and a 1912 Eveready ($9 and it is beautiful). Maybe Santa will bring me a slant, and my arsenal will be complete.

 

[Mick]

if i were to get another merkur im leaning towards the 37c...

Where is the best site to buy a razor online? price-wise

Best choice you could have made...

Try Bullgoose. they are vendors that support B&B

http://www.bullgooseshaving.net/me37cslbar.html