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.
Pros
A good solid design
Mild and an ideal choice for beginners or for those that 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 n cuts
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 bunch of high quality safety razors that are mild, which means they are non-aggressive.
We have recently been looking at 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 of 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.
The company situated in Germany behind the Merkur brand named DOVO Stahlwaren was established in 1906, and the brand Merkur dates back even further. The lifespan of the company alone gives its products some credence.
Description & Features
The Merkur 34C is also known as the Merkur 34C HD (heavy duty). I’m not sure why it is called heavy-duty and I can only guess it may be because it is a two-piece razor and the handle is knurled.
- 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 best for those with dense and thick 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, which enables blades to be replaced easily.
- 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 in attractiveness points (dependent on personal taste) compared to engraved or lined, but 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.
It’s the only safety razor I have bought recently that does not have a small folded directions leaflet, which surprised me. The instructions usually tell us little, but they should be there. A QR code on the back of the box can be used to get directions and other information on their website that can be downloaded (which could be a paper-saving environmental thing).
How well does the Merkur 34C perform and Shave?
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, and it is smaller than many others I have used. I just expected a similar size to others I have used; however, small does have its advantages when shaving under the nose and other hard-to-shave areas.
I was surprised that I did seem to be able to use the Merkur 34C at some speed, and it seems super 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 sat it side by side with the Merker to find some significant difference that would explain why it seems milder, and I could not find much difference, although the Merkur blade gap is slightly smaller (of course, this can make a lot of 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 beginner razors I have used and could recommend.
Handle & Grip – 8/10
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 – 9/10
The look of the Merkur 34C and 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 off looks bulky, which I am not keen on, although it has its function, and it is not just there to look pretty.
Weight and Balance – 9/10
At 80.5 g this razor is quite heavy for its small size. However, it is all about the balance between the handle and head, and it balances out very well, surprisingly.
Ease of Use – 8/10
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 a very coarse beard or growth, this could be a great razor for you. Those with sensitive skin issues may also get along very well with this razor.
Value for Money – 9/10
At around $40, it’s the kind of quality razor you would expect to pay for when buying a decent razor. There are some razors that are slightly cheaper, which you may want to compare the Merkur 34C with; however, check if the quality is of the same standards.
Final Thoughts – Who is the Merkur 34c best suited for?
After using a number of mild-medium type safety razors I wasn’t expecting this Merkur to be so mild and easy to use.
The handle is a bit small, which is not going to be suitable for everybody, especially those with big hands.
An excellent advantage over a razor with a long handle compared to short-handle razors like the 34C is how easy the razor is to use around small and awkward areas like under the nose and around the chin area. This advantage would also be useful for guys that trim around beards like a goatee.
Most definitely passes for a good quality safety razor and is suitable for those starting out wet shaving with a beginner safety razor, and for the more experienced guys ditching their old razor that prefer them mild.
Better than expected!
About the Author
Jason
I’m the chief shaverer over here at ShavingAdvisor and when I am not shaving off any hair I have left, or writing about what I have shaved off – I do a load of other life stuff and enjoy a good cup of tea between doing stuff!
