Merkur 23c Review (180 long- handle)- Light, Long and Mild
Merkur 23C Safety Razor
The Merkur 23C is a safety razor with a long and slim, mildly knurled handle. It’s one of the best-selling mild and lightweight Merkur razors. I found it a good option for those new to wet shaving with safety razors and those who require a mild shave.
Pros
Traditional razor with a modern appearance
Mild and a good choice for beginners
The long handle will suit gents with large hands and other men
The slim design is a feature some men will prefer
It has a lightly knurled handle but still offers plenty of grip
Lightweight for those who prefer a lighter razor
Cons
The handle could be too long for some guys
It could be too mild for coarse growth
It might be on the light side for some guys
The Merkur 23c, also known as the Merkur 180 long-handle razor, is one of the best-selling safety razors made by the German brand Merkur (Dovo).
It’s a fairly light shaving tool and mild in its aggressiveness when shaving –which is why it’s a good beginner safety razor option.
I used this razor for shaving after reviewing the Mühle R41 (aggressive), which is such a different razor than the Merkur 23c. They’re worlds apart, and I had to adjust my mindset and shaving style quite considerably.
The 23C also holds a spot in the Best Merkur Safety Razors recommendations article for its mild nature and long handle.
Let’s delve into who the Merkur 23c might be best suited for and give you some features, shaving experience, and opinions.
Video
The YouTube video I created for the 23C might provide some additional information, and/or the visuals might help you out.
Description & Features
You’ll find this type of safety razor is the ideal tool for beginners getting started with wet shaving with safety razors. One of the main reasons for this is–its mild nature (small blade gap and blade exposure), which gives beginners room to learn to shave with safety razors without cutting themselves so easily.
- Materials and Finish – The handle is made from brass, and the razor head is manufactured using a zinc die-casting method. The handle and head are chrome-plated, making them shiny and attractive. The chrome can discolor or wear, but this will take more than 10 years if it’s taken care of.
- Double-edged – You can shave with this razor on both sides and use double–edged razors on the head. DE razors are the most commonly used.
- Closed comb – The bottom section of the razor head has a row of carvings/grooves; underneath, it’s flat, which makes it safer and easier to use than open combs. It may not be best for those with dense and thick growth.
- Three parts – The razor head comes apart in two pieces, and with the handle, that’s three parts. Three-part razors are better for cleaning well.
- Blade replacement – Blade replacement for three-part razors is a bit more fiddly than others; however, as mentioned, they are easy to clean.
- Handle – The 23c is known as a long-handle razor and is relatively slim compared to many other safety razors. The knurled pattern engraving provides plenty of grip while shaving.
- Blade gap – The blade is 0.64mm, placing it in the small-medium gap range. This is the gap between the razor and the bottom lip of the head, and the bigger this gap is, the greater its aggressiveness.
- Size and Weight – The whole razor weighs in at about 60g, which is fairly light but just about enough weight to help a user shave with some of its weight. The overall length is 105 mm, and its handle length alone is 98mm.
Handle and Grip
The knurled handle offers plenty of grip, and the longer handle helps the razor stay in the hand easier. I find the long handle razors like this are very good on the longer strokes, but around the detail areas like the mouth and chin.
The handle is slim compared to most other safety razors, including those that Merkur makes. Some say this can be advantageous for those with big hands; however, the thickness and length are much more about personal preference than any other important factor of functionality.
Weight and Balance
It is fairly lightweight, which some users may prefer, although I do like a heavier tool.
Balance is not an issue; the blade head will rest on the face nicely while shaving at a 30-degree angle.
Look & Design
The 23c looks both traditional and contemporary in a way with its traditional knurled handle look and shiny chrome head finish. As with all Merkur razors, the chrome finish is superb!
Ease of Use
The ease of use stands out in terms of its low aggressiveness, and as mentioned, it provides room for error. However, it being fairly mild means the user has to do a bit more manual work to get rid of tougher growth.
On the longer strokes, it’s a great tool but not the best when I consider maneuverability around more awkward areas.
Shaving Experience
I headed over to the bathroom with a Personna razor blade at hand, a shaving brush, Maca Root & Aloe shaving cream, and, of course –the latest shaving tool of choice, the Merkur 23c.
As usual, I used the razor for over two weeks and a good few shaves to get familiar with using it to get enough experience to let you guys know how it performs and who the 23c would be best suited for.
Update: I have used the razor a fair few times since this review (and for a video) and found a Feather blade was optional for me, but if you are new to wet shaving with safety razors, then use a milder blade at first (i.e., Derby, Astra or any other).
As mentioned, I went from using a Mühle R41 to the Merkur 23c, which was a massive difference in aggressiveness to adjust to. If you know the R41, then you know what I mean!
Unlike the Mühle R41, the 23c does not just zap off anything (hair) in its path –it required three passes in my case (I can do less with a different shaving style, but I enjoy a 3 pass shave). So I got lathered up with cream thrice and shaved, then cleaned up a few leftovers afterward.
The joy of using this type of razor is it feels very safe, and I have room to be more clumsy or relaxed while shaving.
The Merkur 23c is not a fan of thick 4-day growth, but of course, it will remove it, albeit after making many smaller strokes.
What this razor is a fan of is a face that shaves once every day or two—also a great razor for women shaving their legs.
The bottom line for me was that it shaved well enough with three passes, but it required more effort than other aggressive razors after three or more days of growth. Making a lot of shaving strokes can cause me skin irritation; however, the 23c was very kind to my neck.
Value for Money
The Merkur 23c is one of the cheaper Merkur razors that can make it affordable for those transitioning from cartridge razors without forking out too much dosh (priced at around $38).
Final Thoughts – Who Is It For?
The Merkur 23C could make a good razor for those new to wet shaving with safety razors and for more experienced safety razor users who would like to try out a tool that’s streamlined with its long and slim handle.
This razor is also a good choice for women who need the right razor for shaving their legs. It has the right mildness and the benefit of a longer handle for a woman shaving her legs.
I found nothing special about this razor, which is not a negative thing, as it functions just fine. Some razors just stand out more, while this one doesn’t.
See you on the next shave down!
