In praise of the Merkur travel razor

Let's talk about single and double edged razors and the blades that they use.
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GregPQ
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In praise of the Merkur travel razor

Post by GregPQ »

Normally I reach for my slant or Chatsworth. But in preparation for a 2-week trip to France next month, I decided to get used to my Merkur travel razor.

I've usually gotten mediocre results from it in the past, used with a Trumpers cream.

This time I'm using a Palmolive shave stick and the results are noticeably better. I've come to appreciate the lighter weight of the travel razor--it's pretty forgiving.

Life is good,
Greg
Fiat lux, et facta est lux. Que la lumière soit, et la lumière fut. Let there be light, and there was light.
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ateace
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Post by ateace »

For some reason, these razors don't get much mention.

Most DE razors are small enough for travel as it is, but the Merk travel is so light and takes up so little room that it's worth having around.
a-cut-above
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Post by a-cut-above »

I've had one for about four years and use it on every trip, lately for 3-5 day stretches twice a month. I enjoy it very much. I found the right razor-blade combo and have smooth irritation-free shaves. I have finished Palmolive and Speick sticks and am working on a Valobra. I keep the blade in the head when I take it apart, wrap it in a piece of soft leather cut from an old leather work glove to protect the edge from the disassembled handle crammed next to it in the little genuine-imitation-fake-leatherette carrier. I will try to take some pictures.
Last edited by a-cut-above on Wed Aug 22, 2012 3:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Dave

"Sanity is a madness put to good use." - George Santayana (…like a wet shaver with an acquisition disorder.)
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Merkur Travel Razor-pictures

Post by a-cut-above »

Here are pictures of my Merkur Travel Razor. Apologies for the cell phone quality photos but I didn't have the cable with me to connect my camera to the computer.

The razor assembled. The handle is not so short as to be uncomfortable or cause difficulty in use, but my hands aren't that big (size 7 1/2 glove/men's medium). I could see a gent with large hands not liking this razor.
Image


The assembled razor, case, and a blade for size comparison:
Image

The components as they pack/unpack. The piece of leather is to keep the blade from rubbing the handle in the case. I keep the blade in the assembled head:
Image

The disassembled head, handle, etc:
Image

The handle unscrews into two halves one fitting inside the other. The upper handle part needs to be inserted into the lower with the stud facing out or it could engage the thread in the bottom and get stuck. (It did.)
Image

The holes in the leather are for the studs on the razor head:
Image

The leather-wrapped head with blade:
Image

The handle and head (without a blade) packed in the case showing how the handle could damage the blade:
Image

The head wrapped in leather, then packed, protects the blade from the handle when packed. A piece of cloth would also work well:
Image

The packed case is small:
Image
Dave

"Sanity is a madness put to good use." - George Santayana (…like a wet shaver with an acquisition disorder.)
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Squire
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Post by Squire »

The pictures tell the story Dave, thanks for the effort.
Regards,
Squire
jss
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Post by jss »

I believe the new Edwin Jagger head fit this handle/case too..

@OP enjoy your trip to France....

Julian
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Post by a-cut-above »

jss wrote:I believe the new Edwin Jagger head fit this handle/case too..

@OP enjoy your trip to France....

Julian
Great idea as the new EJ (and Mühle-Pinsel) heads are less aggressive than the Merkurs. That would make it less restrictive in the blades I could use.

And Greg, definitely enjoy the trip.
Dave

"Sanity is a madness put to good use." - George Santayana (…like a wet shaver with an acquisition disorder.)
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ateace
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Post by ateace »

Thanks for the information and pictures, Dave. Nice job.
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Seamaster
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Post by Seamaster »

I'm a fan. I used a Feather Portable travel razor for a while, but found it too aggressive. The Merkur's much more forgiving.
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Cap'n CutThroat
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Post by Cap'n CutThroat »

How hard is it to pack a "regular" razor?

Space has never been THAT much of a problem in my experience.
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Post by a-cut-above »

Cap'n CutThroat wrote:How hard is it to pack a "regular" razor?

Space has never been THAT much of a problem in my experience.
True, but it is still smaller than a regular razor and frees up space in my small packed dopp kit for an after shave assortment (using hotel shampoo bottles), extra medications for us middle agers, etc. And who says logic dictates what we buy and use on this forum anyway? :shock:
How many soaps and aftershaves do I, I mean the guys on this forum, own?
:oops:


:D
Dave

"Sanity is a madness put to good use." - George Santayana (…like a wet shaver with an acquisition disorder.)
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Post by Rambler »

If I didn't use my Merkur HD for travel I would probably pick up something like this. I think it's a nice looking design, and for me ten fold better than taking a disposable cartridge.
--Greg
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Post by a-cut-above »

I like my Merkur Travel Razor but blades are the problem. For car trips, no problem. When flying, I have been pretty good mailing blades ahead. I didn't on my current business trip, so I am using the disposable Trac II clone I always keep in the dopp kit. I miss using the DE.
Dave

"Sanity is a madness put to good use." - George Santayana (…like a wet shaver with an acquisition disorder.)
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Post by ateace »

[quote="a-cut-above"]I like my Merkur Travel Razor but blades are the problem. For car trips, no problem. When flying, I have been pretty good mailing blades ahead. I didn't on my current business trip, so I am using the disposable Trac II clone I always keep in the dopp kit. I miss using the DE.[/quote]

It is regrettable that current air travel restrictions make DE shaving a hassle if you're not checking bags.
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