Merkur Model 38 Hd Classic "Barber Pole" Long Safety Razor
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List Price: Our Price: $47.75 You Save: $10.25 (18%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Health Care See more product details |
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Customer Reviews of Merkur Model 38 Hd Classic "Barber Pole" Long Safety Razor
Customer Review: Solid, no-nonsence, top-quality
Summary: 5 Stars
There are probably hundreds of double edge (DE) safety razors available, from antiques on eBay to present-day newly-manufactured razors. They are not all the same. Some people will go for:
- historical collector's items
- luxury razors: gold plated, ivory handled, presentation cases, etc.
- gadgetry: various adjustables or clever mechanisms
This razor is not for any of those people (except perhaps to fill out the collector's stable of razors).
If you are looking for something that is functional, well made (well enough to last several lifetimes, probably) and good looking then you have come to the right place.
This razor does have a couple of characteristics that differentiate it from other razors that the previous paragraph could just as well describe.
First, it is a bit heavier than most. Whether this is right for you is a matter of personal choice. I like the heft. If you want a similar, but lighter razor try the Merkur Long Handled Safety Razor - #180.
Second, it has a longer handle than most. Again this is a matter of personal choice and perhaps the size of your hand. If you like the idea of a little extra heft but want a more traditional handle length, try the Merkur Heavy Duty Double Edge Razor #34C. This one is so popular it has a nick-name: The "Merkur HD" (or in shaving circles simply the "HD").
If you prefer neither the extra heft nor the longer handle, go for the Merkur Standard Safety Razor with Bar #33C.
If you prefer a real "vintage" look try the Merkur "1904" Safety Razor 42C.
Merkur also makes several other styles that may or may not be available on Amazon (you'll have to Google them).
One negative point (but not negative enough to knock off that fifth star): The knob on the end of the handle used to open up the razor for inserting the blade is polished smooth and a little slippery so sometimes takes a little finagling to open up.
BLADES:
There are many DE blades available. The few you might find in your local drug store may not be suitable. Google for "DE blade sampler packs choice" to find a sampler pack with a large variety of blades. You can decide which you like. Be sure to get one of the packs with the Feather blades. Those are my favorite (so far, it could take a year to try everything). Oh, yes, the sample blade that comes with the razor is a Merkur. Merkur makes nice razors but they are not known (at least in a positive sense) for their blades.
WARNING!
If you start viewing the above razors with designations like 34C, 38C and 42C, Amazon will start showing you bras and womens' dresses as suggestions based on your browsing history!
Customer Review: Pretty amazing product
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm new to DE shaving. I'm currently 25 years old, and started shaving with a Mach3 (too young for my dad to have started on one of these, so I guess I'm a pioneer of sorts in my family). After getting sick of cutting myself and the irritation I got from the Mach3, I switched to a Norelco electric razor and used that for about 6 years, but was never thrilled with the closeness of the shave. I was about to buy replacement blades for the electric when I came across these retro double-edge razors.
So after some thought, I picked this razor up along with a few Derby Extra blades. I have to say, this razor is just awesome. It's nice and heavy; built like a tank. Likely built to the same standards they had back in the 1920s and 1930s. Having watched the various videos online, I had an idea of how to shave with one of these and on my first shave, I didn't cut myself once, didn't have any irritation, and had the closest shave I've ever had. The key seems to be applying no pressure, and shaving in different directions on multiple passes, removing stubble bit by bit. Whenever I used the Mach3, it felt like I was yanking out my stubble. Not so with this razor. For what it's worth, taking my time and doing multiple passes with the Mach3 didn't help - I still got the yanking feeling.
I also wanted to note that I didn't buy any of the shave soaps or brushes - I've been using regular shaving cream and shaving after I shower, which is probably the most important part since that makes the hairs easier to cut. I expect to try out the soaps sooner or later, but don't feel like you need to make that leap right away.
Why did I pick this particular razor? Well, after researching, I came to the conclusion that Merkur arguably makes the best DE razors on the market. This one is also a bit more forgiving on beginners (eliminating some of the more exotic models), and it had a bit of extra heft, which made it preferable to me over the HD. The internet forums also suggested this razor as a good one to make the leap into DE shaving.
Just a note to fellow beginners - a lot of the experienced users of DE razors comment on how the handle of this particular razor is quite long. Indeed, compared to the Merkur HD (34C), it's a longer handle. But, compared to the Gillette cartridge razors, the handle of the 38C is about the same. If you're used to the Gillettes, I'd suggest starting with this razor since it will be less of a change for you, in addition to the extra heft making it less likely that you'll apply too much pressure.
Customer Review: New miracle device developed!
Summary: 5 Stars
News Flash...2008.
Razor Scientists have developed a radical new razor called the DE or "Double Edge" Razor. This futuristic, yet elegant, device is made of durable metal instead of the usual plastic and it is machined so well that it would be possible that a single DE Razor could last the average shaver a lifetime. This new shaving device uses amazing "mono blade" technology that delivers a shave as close as the finest multi-blade cartridge system, but the blades are completely bio-degradable and have a tiny "carbon footprint." By a stroke of pure genius the replacement blades will cost about a tenth that of a classic cartridge and will actually provide two complete edges, in essence giving you two blades for the price of one. Since there is only one cutting surface you no longer have to worry about clogging the razor head with hair and shave cream and the DE Razor is less likely to cause bumps and other skin conditions.
An excellent example of this stunning new DE Razor technology is the Merkur Barber Pole DE Razor. Excellent construction, fine finish and craftsmanship combined with real heft and retro styling make this razor a real winner.
Like most state of the art technology, there is a slight learning curve when using this powerful device. The razor does all of the work, so don't apply any pressure and take short strokes instead of the long ones that you were using with current old-style cartridge system razor. Your small efforts will be rewarded with the knowledge that you are not only more "green" but you also have the latest new tech toy on the block.
In a related story, shaving researchers have created a solid shaving lubricant called a shaving soap puck. This highly concentrated pellet can provide at least as many shaves as a can of shaving foam and doesn't use propellants or a steel aerosol can. Foam is created by simply whisking a wet puck with a soft and long life "shaving brush" which is then used to apply/massage the foam on the users face. The system is so sophisticated that unused foam is automatically recycled to be used for the next shave.
FACT??? FICTION??? FANTASY??? OUTRAGEOUS EXAGERATION???
Well, it is all true, but the basic design wasn't developed in 2008, it was developed over 100 years ago and it is likely that your grandpa and possibly your dad used it. Stop paying $3 for a razor cartridge. Put that cash in your pocket and give the Merkur Barber Pole DE razor a try!
Customer Review: Most excellent razor, fantastic results
Summary: 5 Stars
I've tried many DE (double-edge) razors, knowing full well that DE shaves are far closer than the multi-blade Gillettes. This is the best by far, for several reasons: Best heft and balance; best weight and length; funtional-yet-esthetic design; and an unbelievably close shave as the result. Do your due-diligence and research wet shaving -- there are a few tricks to the trade you need to know first. Here, in a nutshell, is all you need to know to get a great wet shave with this (or any) DE razor:
1) PREP. Buy this razor and a few other preparatory items (mentioned right here). You can start with most any DE blade. Also have: Proraso shaving cream; a badger shaving brush.
2) LATHER. Wash face with warm water (or just take a shower), then squeeze a quarter-sized dollop of shaving cream onto the warm, wet brush; start whipping up a lather directly on your face. Use circular motions, diagonal motions, horizontal, vertical -- it doesn't matter. Get a good lather, which will be denser and less bulky than if you'd used commercial spraycan foams.
3) SHAVE. Slow and steady. Short strokes at all times. After a stroke or two, turn the razor over to use the clean side of the blade. Rinse and repeat. Always shave with the grain.
4) RELATHER; SHAVE AGAIN. Yep, that's right: Do it all over again -- but with one change: Shave across the grain. That means that after you relather, you shave from ear to nose, lobe to chin, going toward the center of the face. This is ACROSS the grain, not AGAINST the grain, and it makes the single biggest difference in going from a decent to a superbly close shave. Pay special attention to your neck: It is its own labyrinth of errant, erratic hair growth patterns. I just go after it twice, once straight down from chin to collarbone in short strokes; and once diagonally from lobe to Adam's apple. That usually gets most of it.
I hope this helps. I went from cordless-electric-shave-in-the-car to spend-10-minutes-on-your-face-after-shower and there is no going back.
Just remember to start slowly with short strokes. That's the only thumbrule you need. You won't regret the switch to DE shaving.
Customer Review: "Merkur" must be German for "WHOA! NICE SHAVE!"
Summary: 5 Stars
An 8-pack of four blade cartridge razors can set a man back almost $30! For 8 measly blades!! What are we, made of money?!
And did I mention they dull quickly?
And did I mention they get clogged with hair?
And did I mention they're insanely expensive?
Hey, THAT'S FANTASTIC!
Where do I sign up? Take my money, please!
Or how about instead we brush on a little sandalwood shave cream, use this fine razor, and a few smooth moves later we can be soft as a baby's... well, you know. Let's do ourselves and our lovely women a favor and give ourselves the kind of satisfying shave we deserve and that they love. Switching from a disposable razor to a double-edged safety razor is like upgrading from a plastic knife to a samurai sword. Wouldn't you prefer to hold a piece of heavy, sturdy metal in your hand while you're shaving as opposed to a piece of cheap-o plastic? I bought this hefty and fantastic safety razor and I wish I could properly express how great it is to engage in one of those forgotten rituals that remind a man why it's great to be a man. Proper shaving has become a lost art and today's average joe hasn't a clue about the fine art of the traditional shave that our grandfathers took part in. We've been conditioned to accept the cheap and disposable multi-blades that companies market today because it makes them lots of money - not because it's a better product for us. I can't recommend this Merkur razor highly enough.
If you want a smoother shave, if you want to save money, if you want to reduce your environmental impact, and if you want to engage in a ritual that great men like your grandfather, John F. Kennedy, and Teddy Roosevelt took part in, then buy this fantastic safety razor. You won't regret it.