Merkur 34c Review – A Much Loved Mild Classic Razor
Merkur 34C Safety Razor
One razor that has probably had the most mentions in the shaving forums is the Merkur 34C. It’s a delightful, mild razor with a stubby, knurled handle, which I find would be useful for both beginners and those who prefer a gentle shave.
Pros
A good solid design
Mild and an ideal choice for beginners or for those who like them gentle
Stubby short handles like this are perfect for some guys
The mildness and small blade gap provide room for error without nicks and cuts
The knurled handle provides ample grip
A good bit of weight for a small razor
Cons
The handle could be too short for some guys
It might be too mild for coarse growth
The German-made Merkur 34C heavy-duty safety razor belongs among a group of high-quality safety razors that are mild, meaning they are non-aggressive.
I have recently been using and reviewing razors suitable for those just starting out on their wet shaving journey of using traditional safety razors, which have included the Mühle R89 and the Edwin Jagger DE89.
The Merkur 34C is a very close competitor to the R89 and DE89, which I included in the Best Safety Razor for Beginners roundup, and it also holds a spot in the Best Merkur Safety Razor recommendations article.
Video
The YouTube video I created for the 34C may provide some additional information, and/or the visuals might be helpful to you.
Description & Features
The Merkur 34C is also known as the Merkur 34C HD (heavy duty). I’m not sure why it’s called heavy-duty, but I can only guess it may be because it’s a two-piece razor with a knurled handle.
- 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 grooves, and this section is known as the safety bar. It is safer and easier to use than open combs, but it may not be the best option for those with dense and thick hair growth.
- Two parts – The Merkur 34C is taken apart with the handle’s bottom end being screwed off, which removes the top of the head only. The bottom of the head is part of the handle, allowing blades to be easily replaced.
- Chrome-plated – Like many other top-quality razors I have tried and reviewed, this one is made with alloy and has a chrome-plated finish. The chrome finish always gives a razor an attractive appearance; however, it can eventually wear off (that would take some time and a lot of use).
- Knurled handle – The knurled type handle provides a very good grip compared to other types. It may lose attractiveness points (depending on personal taste) compared to engraved or lined options, but it gains in grip.
- Size and Weight – Overall length = 80 mm (3.14in), Overall weight = 78g (2.75oz). The handle length is quite short compared to other similar razors, which I shall expand on below.
- Blade gap – The closest measurement agreed on I could find was 0.71mm.
Shaving Experience
This wasn’t a razor that I had shaved with before. It was straight out of the box, brand new, to check out for this review!
First off, the handle seemed pretty small (as expected), and it is smaller than many others I have used. However, small does have its advantages when shaving under the nose and other difficult-to-shave areas (i.e., maneuverability).
I can use the Merkur 34C at some speed, and it’s remarkably forgiving, which prevents cuts and nicks. It felt slightly milder than others I have used, including the Mühle R89 and Edwin Jagger DE89.
I took my Edwin Jagger DE89 out and put it side by side with the Merkur to find some significant differences in the heads and blade gap that would explain why it seems milder, but I could not find much difference.
It felt milder than others I have used, including the Mühle R89 and Edwin Jagger DE89.
The end result after making three passes (shaves) and a fair few strokes was a nice, clean shave that was done with complete ease for a safety razor shave.
The 34C is most definitely among the top mild razors I have used and could recommend.
Handle & Grip
The knurled grip on the handle makes it almost perfect in the anti-slip department. The only issue could be the size for those guys with big hands, as the handle size is smaller than most.
Look & Design
The look of the 34C, with its chrome finish, is attractive, like many of the quality traditional safety razors on the market within its price range. The bottom knob that twists looks bulky, which I am not keen on, although it serves a purpose (i.e., it removes the head and provides a good grip), and it is not just there for aesthetic purposes.
Weight and Balance
At 80.5 g, this razor is quite heavy because of its small size. However, it is all about striking a balance between the handle and head, and it balances out surprisingly well.
Value for Money
At around $40, it’s the kind of quality razor you would expect to pay for when buying a decent razor.
Some razors are cheaper, which you may want to compare with the 34C; however, check if the quality is of the same standard.
Final Thoughts – Who Is It Best Suited For?
After using a number of mild to medium-type safety razors, I wasn’t expecting this Merkur to be so gentle and easy to use.
To be fair, using a safety razor doesn’t get much milder and easier than this model. If you don’t have massive hands and don’t have very coarse beard growth, this could be a great razor for you. Those with sensitive skin issues may also find this razor to be very well-suited for them.
The handle is a bit small, which may not be suitable for everyone, especially those with large hands.
An excellent advantage of a long-handle razor over short-handle razors like the 34C is its ease of use in small and awkward areas, such as under the nose and around the chin. This advantage would also be useful for men who trim around beards, such as a goatee.
It most definitely passes for a good-quality safety razor, suitable for those starting with wet shaving with safety razors and for the more experienced individuals who prefer a mild razor.
Better than expected!
