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: The Best Shave
Summary: 5 Stars
I remember the day I purchased the new 5 blade razor from Gillette. I was excited and hopeful that FINALLY I wouldn't have to deal with razor burn, bumps, etc anymore. Alas, 5 blades aren't better than 4, just as 4 blades weren't better than 3, so on and so forth. As it turns out you just need one simple little blade to do the trick.
After reading the article 'How to Shave Like Your Grandpa' (http://artofmanliness.com/2008/01/04/how-to-shave-like-your-grandpa/) I decided to switch to a high quality shaving cream, badger brush, and aftershave lotion. I also purchased the Merkur razor and extra blades. The difference cannot be put into words. The best I can do is 'simply amazing'. I never, never get any kind of irritated skin post-shave. I cannot feel one bit of stubble afterwards, even if I run my hand against the grain. The quality of the shave is unsurpassed (at least for at-home shaves. Straight blade shaves are a different story).
There is a slight learning curve to this product. I have never (knock on wood) cut myself but finding the right angle is a bit tricky. You'll learn quickly and the time it takes to shave will become shorter and shorter. But, even though I have the process down to a science it does take me a bit longer than a cheapie razor but I look at shaving as an indulgent experience now; I know my girlfriend appreciates it.
I cannot recommend this product enough. I tried probably 100 different ways to rid myself of irritation and never found it until I tried a Merkur razor. You will not be disappointed with this razor or the results.
***Updated: 02/05/09***
I have tried many different brands of blades for this razor. Nothing compares to the Merkur blades. Just FYI...
Customer Review: Who says it's just the blade and not the razor?
Summary: 5 Stars
A few days ago I had, quite by accident, dropped my old safety razor (S.R.) and the head snapped off. It was a Parker. I am aware that these are not the best, but I didn't want to have much money invested in an S.R. if I was not sure if I would like it or not. It also came with 100 7 a.m. blades, so how could I lose? 3 years later, I still love using an S.R. and will not willingly go back to using a cartridge razor.
As I was writing, the head popped off of my old S.R. and I needed to buy a new one. I searched all over to find a brick-and-mortar building that I could purchase one from, but to no avail. Saying that, I was forced to buy some cartridges to use and decided to order a new S.R. off of Amazon.com. The package arrived very quickly, in not even 2 days, and came to my doorstep in good condition. It came with a free trial razor-blade by Merkur, as well, which I have not used yet because I still have a lot of 7 a.m. blades to use, but from previous experience they are very good blades.
On to the product itself. It has great balance, and the long handle allows for better maneuverability. This also allows for a better shave. The balance of the weight puts more at the head so that it smoothly glides across the face due the weight of the head pushing down upon it. I can honestly say that there is a complete difference between the two S.R.s I have used and am very happy with this purchase. Don't take this the wrong way, though, I still enjoyed my Parker and it was a great training razor.
The razor is heavy, which I like, and seems to be very durable and should last a very long time.
I definitely recommend this purchase.
Customer Review: Stop using Mach 3 razors now!
Summary: 5 Stars
Little background on me...
I'm a 27 year old guy who hated shaving. Even though I needed to shave at least every other day, I shaved once a week. I sported a neck beard most of the time because I just hated to shave. I hated to shave so much in fact, that I decided to grow a handlebar mustache. Well, as time went on and it became time to start waxing my manly man 'stache, I decided the look wasn't right for me and I shaved it all of except a goatee.
I then decided that I should try a new (er, old?) style of shaving. I picked up this razor, a beaver-hair brush, some shaving soap, and away I went.
I love shaving now. It just feels so awesome to spend the time shaving like my grandaddy used to shave. The closeness you get with this razor is really hard to believe until you try it.
Please note: when you use this style of razor, you will want to actually shave your face 2-3 times. First time you shave, shave with the grain. For your second and third passes, shave against the grain. It really makes your face so incredibly smooth, and the entire experience is just enjoyable. It takes about 5-7 more minutes to shave than it does with canned cream and a newer razor, but the quality and the enjoyablity (made up word) more than makes up for the extra time.
Also, I know that $40 can be a hefty initial investment for some people, but you have to remember that you can buy 100 razor blades for it for 17 dollars. Compare that to like 8 blades for 20 bucks for newer, multi-blade razors. It doesn't take very long for this blade to pay for itself and then some, and to make it sweeter, you'll actually enjoy shaving.
Customer Review: Throw away your overpriced disposable cartridges
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought a safety razor for two reasons.
1) I was tired of spending ridiculous amounts of money on the multi-blade disposable cartridges that worked just fine but cost way too much (24 Fusion Cartridges cost $64 on Amazon; I bought 30 Derby blades for $6!)
2) Safety razors brought back nice memories of watching my grandfather shave when I was a kid.
OK so the first reason is pure logic and the second is pure emotion...I'm schizo and so am I. I also thought about getting an electric shaver but a friend told me that shaving with a blade exfoliates your skin so it's better for you than an electric shaver. Made sense to me.
The Merkur is beautifully made of the highest quality materials and workmanship. 5 stars for that. If I were to do this over again, though, I would probably pay more and buy one of the retro design Edwin Jagger razors with chrome accents and ivory handle. I love the Merkur but sometimes I can't help but think that it looks like a precision surgical instrument. I don't want to think about scalpels when I'm putting a sharp blade to the face!
So the cold clinical look of the device caused me to deduct one star...a purely subjective decision...flawless otherwise.
One more thing. Don't let the other reviewers scare you into thinking that you need to buy a book or get a Ph.D. to use a safety razor. A monkey can do it. Also, don't feel like you need to buy a lot of expensive lotions and oils to get a proper shave. My old can of Barbasol works just fine. No badger brush needed. But that's just me (I'm retro, not metro). It's just a razor, not a lifestyle choice!
Customer Review: Where has this razor been all my life?
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm not sure how it all started, but I got on this kick questioning marketing ploys and schemes for all the products I use. One day, my razor was in question. I did a lot of research and decided to give a double edge razor a try. After all, who can argue with the cost savings? For me, my razors where getting really expensive. I'm a triathlete. And, I do shave most all body hair. Especially the legs! What an expensive habit! And, the shave was never really that close. It didn't last all that long, either.
I bought the 1904 razor first. What an aggressive shave! But, boy was it close! I've never felt such a smooth shave. There was a little bit of a learning curve. I cut myself a few times. But, no big deal. I got the hang of it quickly.
I needed another razor for my locker at work. I then decided to give a longer handle a try (the shorter one can be a bit slippery for me) so I bought the Model 180. What an awesome razor! It shaves so beautifully! (Must be the closer tolerances.) It's not as aggressive and I get cut less. No razor burn, no partial shave, and a good soap makes the feel so nice. I loved it so much, I bought another one for home.
I can't believe I've been so duped my whole life into disposable razors having something like two, three, four, or five blades, rotating heads, gel layer this and that, or whatever (isn't there one with a battery now that vibrates?). There can't be any data all those blades shave better because one use of my double edge and I know instantly it puts every disposable razor to shame.
For me, this experience was well worth the try.