Safety Razor Review

Merkur 41C Review – A Short Open Comb That’s Attractive

The Merkur 41C open comb safety razor is the next shaving tool up for review. Also known as the 1906 Gillette-inspired razor.

I have covered many Merkur safety razor reviews, including the Merkur 42C and 15c, which are closely related razors of the 41C.

I’m a big fan of open-comb razors. They offer more blade exposure and cut more efficiently than closed comb types, but for some gents, they can be too aggressive.

Before we go into the all-important shaving experience, let’s look at all the essential features and what they mean to the end-user. 

Merkur 41C Description & Features

The Merkur 41C is a short handle type razor compared to most other safety razors that’s also pretty lightweight. 

• Materials and Finish – The handle is made from brass, and the razor head is manufactured using a zinc die-casting method. The razor from head to toe is chrome plated. The finish is shiny and attractive; however, chrome plating can deteriorate and discolor over time.
• Double-edged – DE razors are the most commonly used safety razors. They provide a user with two sides of a blade to alternate with shaving strokes.
• Open comb – An open comb like the 41C means the bottom plate of the head has teeth with significant gaps rather than a flat safety bar. 
• Three parts – The razor head comes apart in two pieces, and with the handle you’ll have three parts. Three part razors are great for cleaning up well.
• Blade replacement – Blade replacement is a little more difficult than a two-piece or butterfly-type razor. Users have to be careful with their fingers when removing and replacing the blade for obvious reasons.
• Handle – The handle on the Merkur 41C is smaller than most. The hexagon-shaped handle has engravings that make it attractive.
• Aggressiveness – The 41C is about medium or moderate in aggressiveness. Being an open comb makes it more aggressive.
• Size and Weight – Total length 76mm (3in), and Weight 65g (2.3oz).
• Warranty – Merkur offers a 2-year limited warranty.

How Well Does The Merkur 41C Perform And Shave?

I had a month of testing and shaving with a couple of top-end electric shavers before picking up the Merkur 41C. I knew there would need to be some skin adjustment time when returning to using a safety razor. 

It’s worth keeping in mind that our skin needs time to adjust to any new shaving tool, although you can be lucky and get along very well straight away with some razors.

I was really pleased to be back using and reviewing a traditional wet shaving tool and the whole routine thing of traditional wet shaving. 

I shaved with the Merkur 41C several times and with heavier and lighter growth over a few weeks before reviewing it. I like to test a razor out under various conditions (i.e., days of growth and blades) to give you guys a clear perspective of how a razor performs.

I had a good idea of what to expect with the 41C because of previously shaving with the Merkur 15C (See Merkur 15C Review). They both have the same head (15C has a knurled handle, though).

How did the 41C shave with 3+ days of growth?

This is the zone that an open comb razor like the Merkur 41C shines. It shaves well with tougher and longer beard hair.

I had to make 2 passes and then complete my usual clearing-up routine, against the grain. I got a great finish!

How did the 41C shave daily or every 2 days?

The 41C is not really a daily shaving tool. However, on two days of growth, it shaved very well, and I seemed to still get use out of the open comb design.

Shaving on consecutive days did not really make use of the open comb. It shaved fine, but a closed comb would be best suited if I was planning to shave daily. 

Which blades are best suited?

I started with a Personna razor blade which is not as sharp or aggressive as a Feather and sharper than a Derby or Astra. I picked up a couple of shaving nicks, so I knew not to go higher in blade sharpness, and I did not want to reduce blade sharpness either.

I stuck with a Personna blade, and after the second and third shave – myself, the Merkur 41C and the Personna blade were good friends. 

Is it easy to use shaving under the nose and chin area?

The 41C is a very short handle. This makes shaving under the nose area and around tricky areas easier. 

The top cap and head are slim, which helps when shaving under the nose area. 

How about blade overhang?

The 41c does have blade overhang. While it does not look attractive, and I would prefer it to be tucked away, it does not affect the shave or get in the way while shaving.  

What was the overall shaving experience like?

It was nice to get back to shaving with a safety razor and whipping up some lather after the recent electric shaver experiences, and great to be trying out another open comb type.

While the 41C is an open comb great for cutting through heavy growth, I find it a bit too lightweight. 

I like the maneuverability of a short handle and the slim head, making my awkward under-the-nose shaving easier.

For a small-looking razor, it certainly gives a close shave. More aggressive than many closed comb DE razors but not as aggressive as the likes of the Muhle R41 (See Muhle R41 Review).

Handle and Grip 7/10

The handle is very attractive with its octagonal shape and engravings. However, while the octagonal shape will help users hold the razor firmly, it does not offer the grip that a knurled handle can provide.

The short handle is very beneficial in terms of offering good maneuverability around awkward areas. However, the short handle does mean weight is reduced, and some users like more weight to their razor. 

Men with large hands might not find the handle large enough for them. 

Weight and Balance – 7.5/10

The Merkur 41C weighs around 65g (2.3oz) which is relatively light for a safety razor. 

My thoughts about open comb razors and weight are they do not necessarily need quite as much weight, as the blade exposure is so significant. 

The balance of the 41C is very good. It will lean nicely against the face when held loosely in the hand, which assists the shave somewhat. 

Look & Design – 8/10

The Merkur 41C is most definitely an attractive-looking chrome-finished razor. 

The 41C is made from brass like many other safety razors. It’s not going to last a lifetime and is not as strong as stainless steel, but there is no reason it won’t last for 10 years or more when taken care of well.

The slim head is also an excellent practical design feature. 

Ease of Use – 7/10

The short handle will make shaving easy for one person and then harder for another. It will depend on hand size and personal preference. 

A new person to shaving with an open comb or just changing over razors to the 41C may need a couple or a few shaves to get used to this razor. That’s normal!

A little more fiddly on the blade change compared to a two-part or butterfly razor.

Value for Money – 9/10

The Merkur 41C is excellent value for money and is priced up at around $30 USD (£29 – €28). 

Any Common Consumer Issues, Complaints, or Positive Reports?

A common mention reviewers have given the 41c is it is not as aggressive as you would think or expect from an open comb razor. I agree, and that’s a positive aspect that gives those new to using an open comb an opportunity to try an open comb out.

There are nowhere near as many reviews or reports about the 41C compared to other Merkur razors, the popular models. However, there is nothing negative worth reporting back to you.

Final Thoughts – Who is the Merkur 41C Open Comb Best Suited For?

The 41C is a great razor that gives a close shave on slightly heavier beard growth and looks attractive. 

It’s not the most aggressive of open comb razors which might be what some gents are looking for, and it could make a great first open comb razor choice. 

There is no big investment in terms of cost with this razor which is also a pro for first-time open comb razor buyers.

It’s mostly going to be about if that handle suits you or not!

See you on the next lather up and shave down!

Alternative Safety Razors 

It’s always a good thing to have a product or two to compare with the one we are considering. The Merkur 41C does have several options worth mentioning.

Merkur 15C

The Merkur 15C uses the same razor head as the 41C. The biggest difference is the handle of the 15C is knurled and it is also slightly lighter weighing only 58g.

This would be the best choice if a person prefers the knurled handle and is willing to let go of a few grams in weight.

Merkur 42C

Another very closely related safety razor is the Merkur 42C. This model from Merkur has the same attractive handle as the 41C with the main difference being the head. Of course, the head is a major difference because the 42C is a closed comb razor.

If you really like the short and hexagonal handle of the 41C but you’re not sure about going open comb then the 42C is worth considering.

Fatip Grande

The Fatip Grande is an open comb Italian-made razor that has a very similar aggressiveness as the Merkur 41C. The Grande has a similar weight as the 41C but it’s longer (87 mm) and has a wider handle.

I would judge the Merkur as a more high-quality razor in terms of its finish. However, the Fatip Grande is slightly cheaper.

If you were shaving a few pennies of what you would like to spend and/or like the design of the Grande it’s a very comparable razor.

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