Merkur 15C Review – An Open Comb, but is it Aggressive or Mild?
Merkur 15C Safety Razor
The Merkur 15C is a popular open-comb safety razor that features a short and slim knurled handle. It’s a mild to moderate razor in aggressiveness for an open comb.
Pros
Traditional razor with a modern and traditional look
Excellent design for those who like a smaller safety razor
Easy cleaning and less clogging with the open comb
Within the affordable price range for most buyers
It could make a good razor for a buyer's first open comb
Lightweight for those who prefer a lighter razor
Cons
The handle could be too slim and not long enough for some gents (the 25C is a long-handled option)
The teeth are not as comfortable as other open-comb razors
It might be on the light side for some guys
The Merkur 15C is an open comb-type safety razor that’s designed for those who wish to get more blade exposure and can work on bigger bristles of growth than some of the closed-type razors with a flat bottom safety plate.
These open comb types are generally more aggressive than closed comb double-edged razors, although there is more to aggressiveness than just one aspect like the comb/bottom plate (blade gap and angle for example).
The 15C holds a spot in the Best Merkur Razors recommendations article for being a good introduction to open comb razors.
I knew before the 15C arrived at the door that it would be an interesting razor. This is because I had spent some time not so long ago using and reviewing the Muhle R41, which is a pretty aggressive open-comb razor that I have come to love for its close finish, so I was not sure how the Merkur 15C would compare (it’s milder that’s for sure).
The Brand – The company situated in Germany behind the Merkur brand named DOVO Stahlwaren was established in 1906, and the brand Merkur dates back even further. It’s a brand that has stood the test of time and has a range of safety razors, from mild/moderate closed comb, moderate open comb, slant razor, and two very popular adjustable razors (Merkur Futur and Progress).
Let’s take a close look at the Merkur 15C, recommend who it is best suited for, and give you some shaving experience with cherry-picked useful facts about its features.
Merkur 15c Description & Features
The Merkur 15C is quite a unique safety razor with an interesting mixture of a small and slim handle that’s open-combed.
You’ll also find the same razor, the only difference being a longer handle, the Merkur 25C. Some guys favor a short and stubby handle like what the 15C has, while others prefer or actually need a longer hand because of big hands.
- Materials and finish – The handle is made from brass and the razor head is manufactured using a zinc die-casting method. The finish is chrome and shiny and while it looks very attractive it may wear after some time. These are not lifetime razors like some of the stainless steel types, but they should last long enough for a buyer to get their money’s worth.
- Handle – The short and slim handle is finely knurled. While this offers enough grip it does not offer as much as deeply knurled types, although they are usually heavier and may require more grip while the Merkur 15c is a fairly light razor.
- Double-edged – Like most safety razors, each side of the head exposes the blade, allowing a user to switch between either side when shaving and then rinsing.
- Open comb – The bottom safety bar on this razor is an open comb, which means rather than having a straight bar, it has teeth that expose the razor. The open comb makes cutting through long growth easy and helps shaving debris not to become clogged in the blade area.
- Three parts – This razor is a three-part unit that comes apart after unscrewing the handle, which removes the head, the top cap, and the bottom comb. These types are very easy to get clean and looking new when taken apart and cleaned.
- Blade replacement – Three-part razors are not the easiest razor for blade changing. It’s just more fiddly than other types and users have to be a bit cautious with the blade and their hands when replacing blades.
- Dimensions & weight – Weight: 58g (2oz), overall length: 80mm (3.15in).
- Warranty – 2 Year limited warranty from date of purchase.
How well does the Merkur 15c perform and Shave?
It did not take long to get used to the shaving style of the Merkur 15C even though is an open comb type. It’s within the mild-moderate category of aggressiveness for an open comb and leans more toward moderate.
On the very first occasion I shaved with the 15C I had a nice 4 days’ worth of growth to get rid of. Armed with a new Personna blade, Taylor of Bond Street Sandalwood shaving cream, and, of course, the razor –I went to work on the shave.
While the open comb got well in between the hairs, I got a hell of a lot of tugging, which made it an awkward shave, especially under the chin area. On the next occasion, I swapped blades to a Feather blade, and it made so much difference.
Using the right blade with any safety razor can make a lot of difference, as it did with the 15C. The Feather blade with this razor made all the difference; however, that’s not the case with other more aggressive razors such as the Muhle R41, which goes well with a milder blade like a Personna, Derby, or Astra.
Some guys like me have to play around with blades a bit with some razors and if you run into issues with a certain razor, whether that’s tugging, too many nicks or cuts, too mild, or anything else, then look at the blade being used.
Because the Merkur 15C is light and there is no straight safety bar to press on the skin before a stroke –it does require more pressure. If you are new to using open combs, then applying more pressure can seem a little odd, but you’ll soon get comfortable with it.
I did find the 15c worked best, or I got the best out of the razor after 3 days of growth; otherwise, the open comb was unnecessary, and a straight safety bar would work better.
After getting used to using this razor, I could get a very close shave, although I had to make 2 or 3 passes, and I cleaned up leftover areas a good bit. Because the blade angle is very curved rather than straight, it is non-aggressive, which is a plus for some guys but not for others.
Handle and Grip 7/10
The handle is a tricky one, and some aspects are not going to suit quite a few gents out there. While I love a short stubby handle, others don’t, and it is also slim. The slimness of the handle took a little time to adjust to.
If a buyer prefers longer-handled types, they could think about buying the Merkur 25C, which is the same razor with a longer handle.
The shallow knurled design will offer enough grip, although some gents might prefer it deeper, which will provide more grip. For this razor, I don’t think that’s a major issue, though –it grips well enough!
Weight and Balance – 7/10
While the balance of the razor head with the handle is fine and well balanced, the weight is very light. If you are usually shaving with 80g + razors, then the 15C will feel very light and could be too light.
Look & Design – 9/10
The Merkur 15C is a nice-looking little razor with its shiny chrome finish and jagged teeth. The teeth on the bottom bar are not quite as gentle as others.
A fatter handle would be nice, although other users like them slim.
The top cap (head) is slim enough to make shaving under the nose area easy.
Ease of Use – 7/10
I’m not sure I would put the 15c at the top of the charts for ease of use. One reason is that blade replacement is slightly more difficult than 2 part razors and others, and another reason is the size may not be best for some gents.
This razor is only rated lower in the ease of use department when compared to others. Some of these others cost more, which makes a difference, especially if a buyer is trying to balance budget with quality.
Value for Money – 9/10
Buying one of these in the US will cost around $32.00 (UK £25.00 – EU 35.00 €). So, it’s not an expensive razor and deserves its price tag.
As you can see, some of the pros and cons could work either way. For example, one buyer may prefer a smaller handle, and others may need a longer handle.
Any Common Consumer Issues, Complaints, or Positive Reports?
I have found quite a few users mentioning that the Merkur 15c is mild and kind of milder than expected. I agree it was milder than I expected and can require a few passes to get a good shave.
Many users liked how the small size allows them to get into the smaller areas of the face easily.
Like most razors I test, use, and review, they all have plenty of guys that love the razor under review, and this is also the case with the 15C.
Final Thoughts – Who is the Merkur 15c best suited for?
The Merkur 15C would likely make a good razor for those trying out an open-comb razor. It is mild to moderate in aggressiveness, and it would give a user an idea of what other more aggressive open-combed razors could be like.
The razor is designed to help those with a decent amount of whiskers to remove, and it’s possible that guys who struggle with irritation and razor bumps could end up really getting along well using it, although the curved blade angle making it mild may not work well for razor bumps or other issues.
I would suggest beginning using the 15c with your normal blade or an Astra or Derby type, and if it’s too mild then step up with a Feather blade or another sharper blade.
See you on the next shave down!
