Merkur Model 180 Long Handled Safety Razor
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List Price: Our Price: $28.00 You Save: $9.00 (24%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Health Care See more product details |
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Customer Reviews of Merkur Model 180 Long Handled Safety Razor
Customer Review: Shave what your Mama gave ya!
Summary: 5 Stars
Having put up with the razor cartridge and marketing for years since I've begun shaving, I got wide eyed when I recently ran out of cartridges.
I had grown a beard over the winter, and when it came time to shave it off for the spring thaw, I wasn't happy with the $22 for 4 pack, or the $28 for 5 I had seen at the store.
I thought there had to be a better way, and indeed there is.
Having come to this product, and reading through the many glowing reviews it is hard to see that this is anything but a tremendous change in your shaving habits, and all for the best.
While I was satisfied with the gels you get at the store, I shaved only as often as I had to, to avoid looking like a caveman.
It scraped and pulled more than shaved, and I put off shaving frequently.
As a born again shaver, I look forward to shaving as never before.
With the lightest amount of pressure, the safety razor cuts the hairs as smooth as can be.
After a week or two, you get in the groove of maintaining just the right consistency between airy foam and a thick lather, how to apply it with a badger brushTweezerman Men's Shaving Brush, and the joy of a good face full of skin.
Now I'm on to finding just the right soap, just the right razor blade, and eventually I'll roll into getting just the right brush.
I'm one of those who is never quite satisfied, and is always on the hunt for something just slightly better than what you have.
Needless to say I am now a shaving soap and cream sampler junkie.
I've written and received samples from most of the major brands, and enjoy the wonderful smells from MamaBears soaps, Col Conks, Crabtree & Evelyn, Trumpers, and the Body Shop. Whether I am in the mood for a more masculine earthy, musky smell, or I feel like a light yet strong ginger lime or citrus there is always something close at hand.
Plainly put - I love the razor and the world it has opened up.
I now love shaving and this is easily my newest favorite hobby.
Merkur makes an excellent razor - all of them.
They are all reasonably priced, and I had picked this one more because it was a long handle, for my long fingers and large hands, and most similar and easily transitioned from the world of the cartridge razor.
Perhaps someday I will pick up another model, or another brush, or another blade, but at the moment I am perfectly content knowing my purchase can easily last a lifetime.
Customer Review: I am a fool . . .
Summary: 5 Stars
I used expensive, inconvenient disposables for years. This simple device along with a stand, a cup, a brush, blades, and real shaving cream works just as well as disposables and canned cream and is not only cheaper but is also way more convenient (a years supply of blades and cream takes up very little space).
All you do is put the blade in the razor, put a little water in the cup, dip your brush into the cream jar (just a quarter-sized dab is plenty), mix it around in the cup, brush it onto your face, and shave. Rinse the brush and cup, hang the razor and the brush on the stand and you've defeated the evil gillette/schick monolith.
Here's what I bought:
Stand ($22, well worth it, the payback time on giving up disposables is pretty quick anyway). The stand is solid and looks good and very useful. Holds razor and brush.
Colonel Conk Evernice Model 775 Chrome Safety Razor Stand
Shaving cream (it's a bowl of cream, not a bowl). I bought it 3 months ago and I'm not a quarter way through it so it will last more than a year for me (I have a 50% coverage beard). Also, it doesn't have toxic substances in it the way commercial creams do. The sandalwood smell is strong if you don't wash your face after shaving.
Taylor of Old Bond Street Sandalwood Shaving Cream Bowl, 6-Ounce
Shaving brush (no more spreading the canned cream with your hands). Always hang the brush after use.
Tweezerman Men's Shaving Brush
Blade sampler (the reviews convinced me that you have to decide for yourself which is the best blade). So far feather is best, shark cuts me up, the merkur that came with the razor is pretty good.
40 FEATHER BlueBird KAI GILLETTE ASTRA SHARK LORD DERBY Sampler Blades
I can't believe how long it took me to figure out how to shave (more than 20 years . . . ).
Customer Review: Simplicity Itself. Great Shave
Summary: 5 Stars
What can I say about this razor that hasn't already been said?
This is a very well made, very simple razor, that happens to give me an extremely close shave, far closer that anything I've ever had from cartridges, and believe me, I've tried them all.
That being said though:
If you're thinking about getting into old-school classic shaving, understand that it may take you awhile to figure out what combination of "stuff" gives you what you're looking for.
For me, the biggest variable seems to be the blade, so if you do purchase this razor and it rips your face up(and you're fairly sure it's not your technique), wait for your face to heal and try a different razor. Do not, I repeat DO NOT suffer along with a bad blade... you don't have to, because there is a blade out there that will treat you kindly, believe me.
It's not that these razors are magical and do something that the disposable cartridge blades don't do, it's that these razors will not let you get away with a sloppy shave the way a Mach-3 will. You either do it right or you get all cut up and weird looking. So these razors MAKE you slow down and shave correctly. If you don't know how, no shame in that, there are a zillion forums out there with members glad to help.
Once you find your correct mix of "stuff" you will be a happy camper. And the fun is in figuring it out, so remember, enjoy the ride - it's just a shave...
Get yourself:
Razor [Double Edge or Single Edge]
Blades sample packs [nothing's worse than having 99 blades you'll never use]
Mug, Scuttle, Cup, Bowl [whatever try what looks good to you]
Shaving soap/cream/stick [whatever try them ALL]
Aftershave [and don't be scared of what your grandpa used!!!]
Witch-Hazel [BLESSED RELIEF!!!]
Alum block [*optional, personally I love the stuff]
Styptic [to stop bleeding fast]
No two men shave the same way, so there you have it, FIND YOUR WAY!!!
Customer Review: Great safety razor option
Summary: 5 Stars
I've been collecting knives for several years now. My curiosity of steels, grinds, heat treatment and such eventually led me to look into the world of shaving. Let me tell you, there's a lot to take in.
As someone who has only used the traditional Gillette Mach 3 razors, I found it intimidating to jump right into straight edge shaving. Not only is there greater chance of a serious accident with a straight edge razor, there is also the question of maintenance - you have to learn how to sharpen and strop free hand. I also have found that straight edge razors are far more expensive than I originally believed them to be.
In steps the safety razor. I remember my dad using one when I was little, so you can say nostalgia helped push me along this route. The cheaper investment cost and smaller chance of a serious injury drew my attention as well. Merkur is widely touted as one of the top options for a safety razor and after purchasing the 180, I can confidently say that all of my expectations have been met.
The razor has a great chrome finish, something you rarely see nowadays. It has a good weight to it as well. The fact that you can buy 10 razors (which equals roughly 50 shaves) is very nice. The biggest thing is technique, which only comes with practice. Lathering with bar soap is a bit more time consuming but is actually quite enjoyable. The precise shave with a safety razor is awesome (especially when getting at those pesky hairs under the nose). It's also nice to rinse your face and apply a nice aftershave.
It all comes down to what you want from a shave. If you are fine with learning some new techniques, and accepting the learning curve, then you will enjoy a safety razor. If you are unsure which razor to pick, you can't go wrong with the 180. I have no complaints and this is my first, and only, safety razor. It works so well that I have no real urge to pick up any different models (yet, anyway). Remember, short strokes and take your time.
Customer Review: Nice Razor
Summary: 4 Stars
I like this. It has a classic look, it's a decent shave, I'll have it for years - no more throwing away cartriges (those things are getting too expensive these days) and it's not too expensive. At first I was nervous and bought a stiptic pencil to go with - all the other reviews said to go easy or you'll peel your face off. But that didn't happen. When I went easy, it barely worked. I still recommend that folks treat it with respect, but don't be afraid of it. I have to press mine down and find just the right angle. But once that's there it shaves as close if not closer than the most popular blade on the market - the Mach 3. I used one on each side of my face once I got the hang of the Merkur and the Merkur was a closer shave. I'm letting my face have a transition period because every time I change brands or types of blade I get razor burn for the first week and alternating for a couple weeks keeps that from happening. So in about three days I'll be over to the Merkur full time. Plus I spent $30 on cartriges for the Mack 3 and don't want those going to waste.
And get some of the Colonel Conk shaving products to go with it. It's the best deal around.Col. Conk World's Famous Shaving Soap, Bay Rum (Net Weight 2.25 Oz)Colonel Ichabod Conk Almond Shave Soap 2.25 OzColonel Ichabod Conk Col. Conk World's Famous Shaving Soap, Lime (Net Weight 2.25 Oz)Colonel Ichabod Conk Lime After Shave 4 Fl. Oz. Glass BottleColonel Ichabod Conk Lime After Shave 4 Fl. Oz. Glass Bottle