Gentleman,
This is the first post from me. I already own a Progress which is an impressive tool, I have now purchased a Merkur 334 which I was slightly wary of at first due to it being a standard safety razor and also having a limited DE experience previously. I must say though I am pleasantly surprised by the classic design and quality performance of this razor.
I am under the impression having used it for a few days that the standard of shave will ultimately match that of the Progress. I also like the simplicity and straightforward character of this razor. I should therefore be grateful for any shaving or related tips on how to best utilise this quality implement and also welcome an opinion on the quality or otherwise as members see it of their own experience with the 334.
James
U.K.
Merkur - HD Impressions?
Merkur 334
Hey, James, how's everything in Her Majesty's Empire?
Is the 334 the same as the 34? I am not familiar with the number 334 in connection with Merkur.
The 34 is a straight-edge, non-adjustable Safety Razor. I have used this razor in the past and can say it gives quite a nice shave. I very much like its simplicity. My major complaint is not being able to adjust the blade exposure as you can on Merkur's Progress, Futur, Vision ... or the old Gillette safety razor.
In the end, go with what makes you happy.
Charles
Q E D
Is the 334 the same as the 34? I am not familiar with the number 334 in connection with Merkur.
The 34 is a straight-edge, non-adjustable Safety Razor. I have used this razor in the past and can say it gives quite a nice shave. I very much like its simplicity. My major complaint is not being able to adjust the blade exposure as you can on Merkur's Progress, Futur, Vision ... or the old Gillette safety razor.
In the end, go with what makes you happy.
Charles
Q E D
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beanie
Hi Charles,
Everythings fine apart from the weather -storms in July- but hey this is Britain.
You are quite right I meant the 34 Merkur. What I understand from your reply is that you don't rate it as highly as the Progress, certainly not as versatile.
I am as I said relatively new to DE shaving and what I really wanted to ask was what tips or techniques to use with DEs, especially non adjustables and how members rate the various razors for shaving quality.
James
Everythings fine apart from the weather -storms in July- but hey this is Britain.
You are quite right I meant the 34 Merkur. What I understand from your reply is that you don't rate it as highly as the Progress, certainly not as versatile.
I am as I said relatively new to DE shaving and what I really wanted to ask was what tips or techniques to use with DEs, especially non adjustables and how members rate the various razors for shaving quality.
James
DE techniques
Hello from the Colonies, master James!
Since I am a vendor perhaps I should leave ratings of the various DE razors to non-vendors. In my last posting, I spoke basically about the one major difference within the DE class, and that's adjustability. For my taste, I like the freedom of selecting the setting rather than being stuck with only one setting. That said, I have both adjustable and non-adjustable DE's and which one I use on any given day simply depends on my mood. For a toiletry lover, variety is a must.
I have been shaving a LONG time and since day one I have always shaved against the grain. I absolutely cannot get a close shave going with the grain. In order to shave 100% against the grain it is imperative you get your beard as moist as possible. But it is also imperative you have a great lubricating cream and a super-sharp blade. Various methods are employed depending on a person's personal taste and time allotted the ritual. Though I don't rush the morning ablutions, I certainly don't want to spend half the day pruning myself. Here's my simple ritual ... again, because I am a vendor I will stay away from brand names ... besides, since I am that toiletry lover I mentioned above, I'd have to provide several brand names for each phase, because I like variety:
1 - Draw hot water into the basin. Splash my face several times moving my hand around my face as if I am massaging it.
2 - Using an extremely gentle face soap (and one that rinses cleanly) I wash my entire face and neck area, particularly working the area to be shaved. Then I rinse my face with the basin water.
3 - Drain the water from the basin, fill it again with hot water. Splash my face a few more times to clean off any remaining soap. Select my brush for the day (I have several, and simply go with my mood). Thoroughly moisten the brush in the basin, shake out the excess moisture, stick the head of the brush into a jar of super-lubricating shaving cream LIGHTLY coating the top hairs, then lather away. I may spend a full minute, maybe a bit longer, working the lather into my beard.
4 - Select my DE for the day (I have several) and commence shaving, starting underneath the right jaw, moving to under the chin, then moving over to the left jaw, back to under the chin, then finish the front of the chin, move to the left cheek, then the right cheek, finishing with the upper lip. Then I feel around to see if anything requires a 2nd pass, re-lather that area if required, and finish up.
5 - Rinse my face from the basin, drain the water, then rinse my face with cool water from the running tap. Pat dry.
6 - Tone. In the summertime, when oil glands are most active, toning usually completes the shaving ritual for me. I tone the face once to give it a final cleansing, then I spray-tone a 2nd time to refresh the skin.
The shaving regime, or more accurately, the skincare regime for a gent is rather simple. You will discover the technique that best fits your likes and lifestyle. The hard part is finding the most efficacious tools and toiletries.
Probably none of this has been of much help because it is too general. Don't fret, there are guys on this forum who can give you more detailed, and perhaps, for you, more fun and efficacious alternatives. My shaving regime is very simple.
Charles
Q E D
Since I am a vendor perhaps I should leave ratings of the various DE razors to non-vendors. In my last posting, I spoke basically about the one major difference within the DE class, and that's adjustability. For my taste, I like the freedom of selecting the setting rather than being stuck with only one setting. That said, I have both adjustable and non-adjustable DE's and which one I use on any given day simply depends on my mood. For a toiletry lover, variety is a must.
I have been shaving a LONG time and since day one I have always shaved against the grain. I absolutely cannot get a close shave going with the grain. In order to shave 100% against the grain it is imperative you get your beard as moist as possible. But it is also imperative you have a great lubricating cream and a super-sharp blade. Various methods are employed depending on a person's personal taste and time allotted the ritual. Though I don't rush the morning ablutions, I certainly don't want to spend half the day pruning myself. Here's my simple ritual ... again, because I am a vendor I will stay away from brand names ... besides, since I am that toiletry lover I mentioned above, I'd have to provide several brand names for each phase, because I like variety:
1 - Draw hot water into the basin. Splash my face several times moving my hand around my face as if I am massaging it.
2 - Using an extremely gentle face soap (and one that rinses cleanly) I wash my entire face and neck area, particularly working the area to be shaved. Then I rinse my face with the basin water.
3 - Drain the water from the basin, fill it again with hot water. Splash my face a few more times to clean off any remaining soap. Select my brush for the day (I have several, and simply go with my mood). Thoroughly moisten the brush in the basin, shake out the excess moisture, stick the head of the brush into a jar of super-lubricating shaving cream LIGHTLY coating the top hairs, then lather away. I may spend a full minute, maybe a bit longer, working the lather into my beard.
4 - Select my DE for the day (I have several) and commence shaving, starting underneath the right jaw, moving to under the chin, then moving over to the left jaw, back to under the chin, then finish the front of the chin, move to the left cheek, then the right cheek, finishing with the upper lip. Then I feel around to see if anything requires a 2nd pass, re-lather that area if required, and finish up.
5 - Rinse my face from the basin, drain the water, then rinse my face with cool water from the running tap. Pat dry.
6 - Tone. In the summertime, when oil glands are most active, toning usually completes the shaving ritual for me. I tone the face once to give it a final cleansing, then I spray-tone a 2nd time to refresh the skin.
The shaving regime, or more accurately, the skincare regime for a gent is rather simple. You will discover the technique that best fits your likes and lifestyle. The hard part is finding the most efficacious tools and toiletries.
Probably none of this has been of much help because it is too general. Don't fret, there are guys on this forum who can give you more detailed, and perhaps, for you, more fun and efficacious alternatives. My shaving regime is very simple.
Charles
Q E D
-
beanie
Happy Anniversary
I'm reviving this thread just before its 9th anniversary in a few days. It's the oldest thread I found in this forum.
Re: Merkur - HD Impressions?
A walk down memory lane Paul. A lot of us have a bit more white on top for sure. How time flies. Still have one in the travel bag. A little aggressive for me but an efficient and appealing little 2 piece.
Max
Max
Re: Merkur - HD Impressions?
There are a lot of threads around here worth reviving and this is one.
Regards,
Squire
Squire
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Antique Hoosier
- Posts: 1152
- Joined: Mon Jan 01, 2007 3:01 pm
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bernards66
- Duke of Silvertip!
- Posts: 27393
- Joined: Sun Feb 27, 2005 1:02 pm
Re: Merkur - HD Impressions?
I saw this and wondered why there were so few posts when so many had viewed it. Wow! Charles of QED posting on the forum...this WAS a long time back. The MSN 'Wetshavers' forum was the happening place back then, SMF was brand new and very small. I was a mod. on the Wetshavers forum and held off joining here to see how it would play. I checked in every night though and eventually joined early the following year. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
Regards,
Gordon
Regards,
Gordon
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changabang
- Posts: 884
- Joined: Tue Sep 07, 2010 11:08 am
- Location: N.H. tundra.
Re: Merkur - HD Impressions?
Even if Charles seemingly doesn't participate in discussions any longer, at least he is still a vendor, and one of my favorites at that. Some of these threads really ARE worth reviving. But then I'm kind of a history nut. The more I learn, the more astonished I am how much British blood runs in this forum.
James Nicks
Re: Merkur - HD Impressions?
As long as Charles' name has come up, let me say he sure is a great vendor and first-class gentleman.
Another reminder of how lucky we are in the wet shaving community to have several really customer-friendly
dedicated suppliers; they carry vast ranges of truly quality products and offer full-time, hands-on personalized
concern for each and every order, regardless of size. I am in awe of their entrepreneurial spirit!
End of thread hijack!
Happy Fourth to those who celebrate!
jr/John
Another reminder of how lucky we are in the wet shaving community to have several really customer-friendly
dedicated suppliers; they carry vast ranges of truly quality products and offer full-time, hands-on personalized
concern for each and every order, regardless of size. I am in awe of their entrepreneurial spirit!
End of thread hijack!
Happy Fourth to those who celebrate!
jr/John
Enjoying wet shaving, again.
jr/John
jr/John