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: Finally, the shave I've been looking for.
Summary: 5 Stars
I've been working my way up from an electric razor 20 years ago to this, and it's been getting better all the time. I used to use the Gillette 3-blade disposables, and that was okay. Relatively smooth, and the wife was happy.
Now, having switched to the Merkur #180, I'm never going back to any cartridge - evah. Too expensive, too many ingrown hairs, and now I know my shave wasn't nearly as close as it could have been.
I tried the #180 last week with some Derby blades, and the first couple times were not too great. I was very delicate with how I held the handle, didn't apply pressure during strokes, etc. Now I'm a bit more confident, I bought a good badger-hair brush and some decent soap, and things have gotten much better.
My face is smoother than ever, it's easier to shave in the morning due to less overnight growth, and the wife is even happier. Smoove, baby.
Here are a few tips I'd recommend if you're starting to use a DE razor:
1. Exfoliate just before shaving - I use St. Ives with pulverized walnut shells. When I don't exfoliate first, the shave isn't as close.
2. Shave in the shower. It's more difficult to master, but a good mirror is invaluable until you get the hang of it. Shower shaving is great because the steam softens your beard, the razor is easier to clean, and when you're done there's no residue behind ears, etc.
3. Alcohol-based after shave is for chumps. Get a good after shave that moisturizes. Amazon has tons of them for sale - check the reviews. I like the products by Geo F. Trumper.
4. Don't be afraid to pursue the closest shave possible. Having a babybutt-smooth face doesn't make you a metrosexual - it's evidence of a real man who knows how to take care of himself. If you also have a spray-on tan, well then it's time for some introspection.
Most broads like a smooth face. Enjoy.
Customer Review: Been using it for more than 4 years.
Summary: 5 Stars
I've had a Merkur Long Classic now for more than 4 years. I was a convert from electric shavers (which I had used since my teens). I went on my honeymoon and forgot my electric shaver. As a resort, I went to the grocery and picked up a cheapo plastic razor and some cheap shaving cream... And I was really impressed. Eventually, I tried to find out if other products were better. I was faced with replacing the microfoil on my electric, and decided to go the wet-shave route. Prices on big-name products really discouraged me. I couldn't see myself spending all that money on those 2, 4, even 5 blade Gillette and Schick products.
I did a bit of research and found that old-fashioned wet-shavers often preferred the traditional (original) Gilette-styled razor that you see here. Until I researched it, I never know that such products were still used, and I especially had never considered that there are so many fantastic shaving creams and brushes out there as well (though not in your local supermarket).
There is a small learning curve to using this product. You don't "rake" your face like you're whipping around a Mach-5. Wash your face, use plenty of water, lather up a quality soap or cream with a handmade badger brush, and shave in a way that makes in enjoyable - not just some daily chore. You'll be amazed at how a quality shaving cream is an eye-opener in the morning, and how a quality razor can give you a shave that's almost as close as a straight razor with no irritation.
You can buy replacement blades for as little as $1-$2 for 5 packs from your grocery, or order other brands online that might match your beard type. Everyone's face and beard are different. I buy my blades in bulk-packs of 100 for for fractions of what you'd pay for the 5-blade store brands, and I get a perfect shave every time. Try a few different brands of blades and I am sure that you'll find one that is perfect for you.
Customer Review: Perfect razor for Women, too!
Summary: 5 Stars
This razor is amazing and very attractive to boot!
I had another razor purchased from Amazon, a Weishi, but it was all wrong. Unlike that product, this razor has smooth edges all over, perfect for a lady who wishes to shave in small places (don't make me explain) where an exposed edge would potentially cut, maim, or cause severe bodily injury...or at the very least catch me off guard. After the other product broke (a couple months after purchase!), I spent the extra few bucks to go with this model. Wish I had done it much, much sooner.
The weight balance is perfect, I do not have to press down on my skin when shaving my legs (as I do at a nearly horizontal angle), and the weight of the razor adds the perfect amount to get the closest shave. I've cut myself exactly one time using this razor, on the knee. It was not even a bad cut.
The razor blade is replaced by unscrewing the handle from the top, which I do by holding the short sides of the razor firmly. It's easy and painless.
The included razor blade is of unmatched quality. I have used it for a couple months and it is still sharp and not rusted.
The shave is close and accurate. On very densely populated areas (or, very hairy, lol? ew?), I may have to shave twice over with the original blade still in it, but considering the amount of time I've spent using it, that's hardly a set back. I've not experienced ingrown hairs or any other problematic symptoms of shaving intimate areas with this razor.
The main reason to buy one of these, though, is for the cost savings. Even with new blades, they cost so much less than the mainstream razor brands it is not even funny! And imagine how much less waste is generated from the use of razors like this, over disposables. I switched over for life and no plans to switch back.
The only thing it is lacking is a razor case for travel. Other than that, perfect, as far as sharp object go!
Customer Review: Goodbye razor bumps.
Summary: 5 Stars
If you've been raised on Mach 3's or 5's or other disposable type cartridge razors, this is a great razor to step up your game with. Can't really compare this product to other similar safety razors since it's my first of this sort, but I can say that it does its job and does it well. There is a learning curve however, but once you get in enough practice shaving becomes more of a joy than a chore.
The best effect I've seen from this product, besides a wonderfully close shave, has been a near total elimination of razor bumps and irritation from my neck area. I have what you might call "ethnic" hair in the sense that my hair can be extremely curly and frizzy, which has in the past meant that all the razors I ever used would only PUSH rather than CUT my hair down back under my skin whenever I shaved. The result would be an almost constant irritation and acne on my neck, a bothersome and neverending problem which would leave me going days without shaving out of a simple wish to spare myself the grief. With this razor I no longer have this problem, due to the simple physics of how single-bladed razors work as well as the fact that I can now afford to swap out my blades for new ones after only 2 or 3 shaves. With my old Gillette Fusion I would sometimes go WEEKS before swapping razor heads just because the cartridges were so expensive. Not very healthy.
My best advice, if you're going to buy this product shop around for the right kinds of blades that fit your particular tastes, and invest in some good shaving cream like Proraso Classic Shaving Cream With Eucalyptus Oil & Menthol and a nice shaving brush. If you're going to buy a Mercedes there's no point in filling it with cheap gas.
Customer Review: Still Looking
Summary: 3 Stars
I decided to ditch the Sensor/Mach 3/Fusion thing and get into the double-edge "safety razor" rerto thing and I've been looking for just the pefect razor. I tried a vintage Gillette Slim Boy adjustatale which was pretty good--except that the "adjustment" dial has no discernible effect--and a new off-brand Parker which is just so-so. Now this.
The good thing. It's very clean stainless steel with a nice long handle. It feels good to hold.
But: It doesn't shave close at all! The problem is that when you tighten the handle all the way, the blade is pressed down so hard against the body of the razor that it's not able to really reach the hair. I found that if I unscrew the handle slightly and let the blade rise up a little bit, it shaves really close. But then you're dealing with a loose razor head and it seems like you're risking slashing yourself.
Also, the three-piece razor is much less convenient than the Gillette butterfly system, both for changing blades and for rinsing the blade. Also, if you want to keep track of which edge of the blade you are shaving with, so that you can use one side for a few shaves and then switch to the other, you can't tell which side you're using--The razor is completely symmetrical with no way to differentiate either side. I used a magic marker to mark one side, but it washes off. Seems to me they should place some sort of permanent mark or logo to distinguish the two sides.
Finally, for what they charge, Merkur is evidently too damn cheap to give you ANYTHING extra. No case or pouch or even a plastic cover to protect the razor head if you're throwing this thing in a kit or taking it somewhere. Heck, even a disposable Bic comes with a cover for the head!
Bottom line: OK, but Merkur could have easily made it better.