Merkur
Merkur have been making double-edge safety razors in Solingen, Germany for generations, and the range here is the classic line-up — the 34C heavy duty, long-handled 23C and 24C, the open-comb 15C, a gold-plated 34G, the adjustable Futur and a three-piece travel set.
All of them take standard double-edge blades, so the razor is a one-time purchase and the running cost is pennies a shave.
More about Merkur
Which Merkur?
Unlike an adjustable razor, most Merkurs have a fixed aggressiveness, so the model you pick is the shave you get. Handle length and weight are the other half of the decision.
| Model | Suits |
|---|---|
| 34C HD | The classic. Short, heavy handle — the one most people are recommended first |
| 23C | Same mild head, long handle. Better for larger hands |
| 24C | Extra long handle — the longest reach here |
| 15C | Open comb — more aggressive, for coarse or long growth |
| 34G | The 34C in a gold-plated finish. A gift razor |
| Futur | Adjustable, so you can dial the aggressiveness up as you learn |
| 46C | Three-piece travel razor in a leather case |
Open comb or closed comb?
A closed comb has a solid safety bar under the blade, which limits how much blade meets skin. An open comb has teeth instead, letting more hair through to the blade before it is cut.
That makes the open-comb 15C the one for heavy or several-days growth, and the wrong first razor for anyone coming off cartridges — start with a closed comb like the 34C and move up if you want more.
Handle length matters more than people expect
The 34C's short handle is deliberate: the weight sits near the head so the razor does the work. If you have larger hands or find a short handle cramped, the 23C and 24C give you the same head on more to hold.
None of them should be pressed into the skin. That is the single habit to unlearn from cartridge razors, and pressing is what causes nicks and irritation.
Blades and the rest of the shave
Merkur razors take any standard double-edge blade, so you are not locked to one brand. Different blades genuinely feel different — a sampler is the usual way to find one that suits your face.
More in safety razors, razor blades and shaving soap.