Merkur 37C vs 39C – Which Is Best Suited For You?
What is the difference between the Merkur 37C and 39C slant safety razor? This is one question frequently asked about these razors.
And……
Is the Merkur 39C better suited for me or the 37C? This is another question I was asked more than once.
This article is all about answering those questions to help a buyer choose between these slant razors after understanding their differences.
Straight to the point, the only physical difference is the handle. Nothing more. However, handles make a heck of a lot of difference with a safety razor when shaving.
Specs
Model 37C
Overall Weight: 79 g / 2.79 oz
Razor Length: 83.3 mm / 3.28 in
Handle Length: 77.1 mm / 3.04 in
Handle Diameter: 11.6 mm / 0.46 in
Model 39C
Overall Weight: 113 g / 3.99 oz
Razor Length: 101.8 mm / 4.01 in
Handle Length: 96.2 mm / 3.79 in
Handle Diameter: 11.6 mm / 0.46 in
By comparing the stats side-by-side, we can see that the 39C is much heavier, and the handle is much longer. That is why the 39C model has also been named the sledgehammer.
It’s a known fact that a heavier safety razor will assist a user with shaving in terms of weight, doing the work behind the razor, and reducing the pressure that the user has to make. This is one significant benefit of the larger handle 39C razor.
Another positive of the 39C is the longer handle is very efficient when shaving with longer strokes along the side of the face.
A disadvantage of a longer handle where the 39C can shine is the shorter-handled 37C offers excellent maneuverability that large handles do not.
Note: If you are already a user of the Merkur 34C and like everything but the mildness, then you can enjoy switching to the 37C. They both have the same short handle.
Video
The YouTube video I created for the 37C vs. 39C might provide some additional information, and/or the visuals might help you out (especially the shave).
Side-by-Side Shaving Experience and Results
I had used both the Merkur 39C and 37C previously and decided to use them both simultaneously to see how they shaved and if one was better than the other.
The results were as expected, but it was a valuable experiment to see if these aspects mentioned above were significant (i.e., maneuverability, weight, and efficiency).
The 39C was excellent on the long strokes over the cheeks, and that extra weight is always welcomed in assisting the shave. The 37C was perfect for shaving under the nose and touching up areas after the second pass.
If I had much larger hands, the 37C could be a bit too small. However, I have had a preference recently for small razor handles, so the 37C was already a winner for me if I was going to choose one model.
I find the Merkur 39C a bit too bulky, with its pretty large head and larger handle.
While the 39c has that extra weight, the 37C is not a light razor and still weighs 79 g / 2.79 oz. The weight is an advantage, though, for me.
The maneuverability of the 37C won me over extra weight on this occasion for me. Added with a dislike to handles which are slightly too long.
Personal preferences do come into play in this Merkur 39C vs 37C comparison; however, the functionality of the mentioned aspects (i.e., extra weight, length, and maneuverability) plays the most prominent part in this story.
See you on the next lather up and shave down!
