The Merkur Safety Razor has a double edge design and a chrome finishing providing very close shaves. Its comfortable handle is exquisitely designed with a non-slip grip and works fairly well with all hands particularly larger ones.
Weight
This razor is weighty chrome made and built to endure. This razor weighs around 2.2oz. However, when held in your hand, the weight is distributed nicely between the handle and head. However in the end, it's weight distribution and match is all a thing of personal choice. This Merkur Safety razor feels
like the classic quality crafted razor your Grandpa used to shave with.
The Straight Bar
If you've ever shaved with a slanted bar razor, you'll soon notice the difference right away with the straight bar. The slant bar razors usually puts a slight twist on the blade causing it to shave very, very close. This might seem like a substantial benefit at first glance, but if you're a first time safety blade user, this might be "a little overly close for comfort" as it tends to cause unwanted cutting. However, for those just starting out, this may be the perfect razor when going "old school".
Quality
The Merkur's quality is timeless. You can actually take a Merkur from the 70's, repackage it and sell it off as new. Expensive? Possibly, but you get what you pay for. There's no bubbling, no separations and no dulling of it's beautifully crafted chrome finish, as any long time owner of a Merkur will attest to.
German Craftsmanship and Engineering
Of course, you'll realise straight away the German creativity, attention to detail and quality is one it's most durable features. In particular while comparing it's classic innovation to older safety razors of years gone by. The head mechanism for instance. It's design may be a bit puzzling to some who expect to see the old fashioned "bay doors" of safety razors past, like the old Gillette. If you're not familiar with that old design, it fundamentally opens at the upside with two metal flaps "bay doors" that shut down on the blade. This is one major feature that sets the Merkur aside. The main problem with those "bay doors" is that they accumulate old dried soap and shaving cream all around the mechanism making it almost impossible to clean and sanitize properly. This alone is a major cause of skin irritation, razor bumps and ingrown hair infections. With the Merkur's timeless design you have a one piece top that unscrews entirely. The blade is set on the main body, the top is replaced and screwed down. This simple yet innovative design of the Merkur allows you to take the top, use a simple tooth brush and a little dishwashing liquid soap, rinse and presto, just like new. One more advantage to this one-piece head is that stubble and cut hair can't really clog it.
"I guess this may be the reason why Gillette stuck to the plastic disposables."
Cost
Initially, you may invest about $40, but you need to remember that you can buy about 100 razor blades for $17. If you compare that to 8 blades for $20 for these new fangled multi-blade (how many now 3, 4, 5?) razors. This blade not just pays for itself, but long term saves you lots more. Investing in better blades will not only result in better shaves with much less beard friction, but also in longer blade life. This will save you $$$$ in the long run. Let's not fail to mention these are more environmentally friendly as you're not contributing to land fills with countless tiny plastic cartridges and inexpensive disposable plastic razors.
Quality, Reliability, Environmentally and Economically Friendly, what else are you looking for?
