Merkur DE Razor Experience

Today I would like to share my first experience with Merkur DE Razor, or Merkur Safety Razor. I had a biased idea towards DE (double-edged) razors all my adult life. I first came to this country 30 years ago from Japan and one thing I was shocked and appalled by was the quality of shaving razors available here in the UK. Honestly, over thousands of other things to compare with between two countries. I would buy the most expensive shaving cartridge in a drugstore which still hurt my face terribly, razor blades here were far inferior to Japanese ones.

So I became desperately obsessed with all the latest models from Gillette, a double-blade razor with a lubricating strip. Not knowing whether you really need the strip and why – I still don’t know to this date in fact. Then they came up with three-blade razors, four-blade, five-blade. Still wouldn’t shave as smoothly as a free disposable razor from hotels in Tokyo would.

I love this country and I’m proud to be a Londoner, so that’s enough slating. And I must emphasise that everyone’s facial hair is different and the skin type is different, so this may be just my opinion.

We are all led to believe the higher the number of blades in the cartridge, the better it shaves. So all this time I was thinking, why would I go back in the wartime and try a double edge safety razor for a laugh? I never even dared to try. But the opportunity has arrived, I’ve got a Merkur double edge safety razor.

My Merkur DE Razor Experience

So I got all nervous as I was reading “how to shave with a double-edged razor” explained on several sites. You have to be extra careful as DE razor cuts skin very easily. You have to hold it at 30 degrees angle. What does that mean, 30 degrees angle from one side can be 60 degrees from the other? Firstly apply a pre-shave oil. No, I don’t have a pre-shave oil!

It turned out easy. And whoa! It gave such a close shave. I like that!

My facial hair is reasonably coarse and strong, but the density is low and it doesn’t grow very fast. Everyone’s hair is different, and how closely you want to shave is up to you too. For soft and fine hair, Gillette cartridge type may just do the job fine. Certainly a good thing about a cartridge razor is you can shave quite vigorously. A Gillette razor is definitely “safer” than a safety razor.

But I’m very impressed with the result a DE razor gives. The first time I used a shaving gel from The Real Shaving Co, that’s been my favourite for years. I noticed my skin didn’t feel as irritable as when I’ve shaved with my Gillette 5-blades.

After all, 5-blade razor scrapes your skin 5 times in one action. If you vigorously sweep it across your face 3 times, then that’s 15. No wonder it’s damaging for your skin.

Right: The Real Shaving Co. Professional Formula Sensitive Shave Gel, anti-razor burn formula leaves your skin less irritable. 150ml.

Now I have a reason to shave properly, taking proper steps. I’ve got myself a decent shaving cream and pre-shave oil. Our shaving brush + bowl set is no longer a bathroom shelf ornament, I’m fully utilising them.

I work out every morning, all hot and sweaty before I shave therefore I never feel I need a hot towel to soften my hair. If you think I still should, please give me any advice? Also I can’t see the benefit of using a pre-shave oil either – I can’t feel the difference afterwards with or without the oil. So I’ve ditched it but tell me if I’m missing something by not using it.

Merkur 34C Heavy Duty Classic Double Edge Safety Razor

This is the one I have, a Two-piece razor, 7.6cm in length, 80g. This 34C HD has a handle that’s thicker and shorter than the 23C shown below, and considered suitable for beginners.

Merkur 23C Long Handle Safety Razor

Three-piece Merkur DE razor, 9.5cm in length, 50g and this is Merkur’s best-selling model. A longer handle means it’s suitable especially for those with large hands.

Shaving Cream / Soap

Left: D.R.Harris & Co Sandalwood Shaving Cream Tube, 75g.

I love D R Harris’ grooming range and love sandalwood, so I’d like to recommend these two. The left one is what I use and I’m very happy with that. Great scent of sandalwood and good lather, it has other natural oils such as eucalyptus, bergamot, camphor, clove and vetiver.

Right: D.R.Harris & Co Sandalwood Mahogany Effect Shaving Bowl & Shaving Soap, 100g.

Shaving Brush / Gift Set from Taylor of Bond Street

Left: Taylor Of Old Bond Street Badger Shaving Brush, 10cm in height, pure badger hair and with imitation ivory handle.

Right: Taylor of Old Bond Street Pure Badger Brush and Sandalwood Bowl Gift Box Set, 150g sandalwood shaving cream in a screw-threaded bowl.

Razor Blades

Supermax Double Edge Razor Blades

• 100 razor blades
• Astra Platinum/Astra Superior Blue
• SUPERMAX / Dorco ST 301
• Derby Blu
• Shark Super Stainless / Shark Super Chrome

May I take this opportunity to express my thanks to Prince who sadly passed away 2 days ago, 21 April 2016. “Thank U4” for being so inspirational over almost 4 decades. I was still a school kid when I first heard his song, “I Wanna Be Your Lover” on American Top 40. The programme always played a longer version of the song and the ending riff was lingering, caught my ear. Eccentric. That was 37 years ago and he continued to be eccentric since, thanks for entertaining us for such a long time.