MERKUR 23C Double Edge Safety Razor - Polished Chrome Long Knurled Brass Handle Made in Germany Plastic-Free Three

A friend encouraged me to grow lamb chops in my sophomore year (‘71) after I complained about shaving. I used the DE butterfly razor Dad got for me where once or twice a week it wreaked havoc on my zit covered face. I’m not entirely sure whether the razor was open comb, or the blade itself was combed for safety. That meat-hammered face look was nothing to be embarrassed about back then as half the boys in class had crater faces. Those handsome senior year book photos? Air brushed. Entering the workforce about 1977, daily shaving was required along with suit and tie where I was forever commuting with 3-4 pieces of TP to patch up the wounds. I should have joined a ‘styptic pencil of the month club’. About that time, I tried the Gillette Trac II and finally settled on the plus model which added a lubricant strip, along with Edge Gel Aloe Vera Sensitive shave cream. Finally I began to get a decent shave with less blood letting. That’s been my shave for nearly 50 years, made more affordable by cheap cartridge refills in packages of 100. Thankfully, the suit and shave requirement was retired in the late 80’s when I went into IT – tech support is supposed to look casual and nerdy. Shaving just twice a week on average, there’s times I simply wait too long and the Trac II plus isn’t up to it, so I bought an electric razor YUCK! and finally a Weishi DE butterfly razor in short and long handle. My big hands hate the short handle, but the long handle gave me a decent 1 pass shave in like 2 minutes with an occasional nick if I cut the corners or wasn’t careful in setting it on my ugly mug. But I don’t get the feeling of quality from the Weishi and hate the gunmetal finish which looks dirty all the time. So I started watching YT shaving videos to find something better! Who knew there were so many shaving fetishists! Unable to spend more than 40 clams on a razor, brought me to the Muhle, Parker and Viking lines – where I ruled out anything with short handles, odd colors and matte/rustic finish. Adjustable razors all seem to be short handle so they’re out. My peculiars finally brought me to the Merkur 23c where I’m using Parker blades left over from the Weishi. I’m frankly shocked that it has yet to give me even a hint of a nick or cut. The shave is close enough for someone who hates to shave. Mine is a squirrely beard with grain going in several directions – which means the 23c requires several passes to get it smooth enough for my liking, especially the corners of the mouth, tip of the chin, jaw line and neck. It’s a smooth shave where the grain is straight and regular. On the recommendation of Frank below, I’m going to pick up a 25c for a more aggressive shave – where I hope that the Trac II plus, Merkur 23c and 25c will finally help me loathe shaving a little less. The price is right for a quality product. Read more

Great double edged razor. I’ve been using it for months now and have no issues. Easy assembly/ disassembly for cleaning. Great weight and handle for easy handling while shaving. This is a forgiving razor with decent technique and I would recommend for anyone looking to start using a double edged razor. Read more

As a first-time user of a safety razor, I must say, switching to this Double Edge Safety Razor has been a revelation. I've previously used multi-blade razors and electric shavers, but this product has outperformed them all. The construction of the razor is impressive – it feels solid and well-made in hand, reassuring me of its durability and quality. Its design also lends itself to a comfortable and close shave, something I've come to appreciate with each use. One of the most notable aspects is how it has reduced the risk of cuts. Despite being new to safety razors, I haven't really cut myself yet, which speaks volumes about the user-friendliness and safety of this razor. However, there's a slight area for improvement. I wish the knurling on the handle was a bit rougher for a more secure grip, especially when handling with wet hands. While it's not a major issue, a rougher texture could enhance the control and comfort during the shave. In conclusion, this Double Edge Safety Razor is an excellent choice for anyone looking to delve into the world of safety razors. It provides a superior shave compared to conventional multi-blade or electric options and is constructed with great care. A little more grip on the handle would make it perfect, but even as is, it's a fantastic product that I highly recommend. Read more

Very happy with the quality. I started with double-edged razors as a teenager as that is what my father used. In the 60's there wasn't much choice. However, my dad had a thick, heavy beard which I did not inherit. My beard is light and soft and my skin is sensitive. Electric shavers did not work well for the same reason so I soon switched to the "Trac 2" and have used some form of multi-blade shaver ever since. Intrigued by all the recent hype for the new razors I ordered this one. It is well-made and seems durable. Major differences from the multi-blades are: 1) the new blades (I've used Astra and Personna, so far) are extremely sharp; 2) the head is much heavier so care must be taken when placing the face - easy to whack yourself; 3) care must be taken to shave at the proper angle to be effective. This takes a little practice; 4) careful going "against the grain" as you can catch the underside of the jawbone (mandible) easily here - like I said, "extremely" sharp; 5) go slow - this is not a razor (IMO) for a quick shave. All-in-all I really like it, especially how cheap the blades are. I look forward to changing them every 4-5 days. Probably could go a week or so but I like a really close shave so it is worth it to me. Read more

My facial skin is sensitive, but I don't even notice any discomfort. This machine is extraordinary. There are no cuts; it glides smoothly and efficiently. I highly recommend it. Read more

This gave me a great shave on my first attempt with a safety razor ever. I was using a shavette (straight razor with replaceable razor blades) and this was a painless transition with no learning curve. I would 100% buy this again. Try pairing with Derby Extra DE blades for a close but mild shave after pretreating with Proraso Preshave Cream and letting that set in for a minute before using Proraso Shave Soap. I like their green line of preshave cream and green line of shaving soap from a tube. Read more