Merkur Model 38 Hd Classic "Barber Pole" Long Safety Razor
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List Price: Our Price: $45.95 You Save: $12.05 (21%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Health Care See more product details |
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Product Reviews of Merkur Model 38 Hd Classic "Barber Pole" Long Safety Razor
Product Review: Merkur Model 38 Barber Pole Razor DE Safety Razor
Summary: 5 Stars
The merkur Model 38 HD Barber Pole DE Razor was the first DE Razor I used. I started wet shaving 7 weeks ago but I have been shaving with cartridge razors for a little over 35 years. First off, let me say this, compared to a few other DE razors I've purchased, vintage DE razors, this brand new DE razor made in Solingen Germany is very well made (I also own and use a DOVO straight razor made in Solingen). The heft of the razor is ideal for letting the weight of the razor shave your beard w/o adding any of your own pressure to move the razor across your face
At the time I purchased this razor here at Amazon, I also bought a package of Derby Extra DE Razor blades (5 pack) and a 10 pack of Feather DE blades, also purchased here at Amazon. I highly recommend using/trying both the Derby and the Feather razor blade with this razor. Both work well with this razor with the Feather being the sharper of the two, yet the Derby will give a good close shave used in this shaver. If you buy both of the aforementioned DE razor blades, you will know what I'm talking about when I mention the Feather is sharper, and again, that does not imply the Derby blade is not sharp, it is sharp, but the Feather is very sharp and you will feel the sharpness after your shave due to more of the top layer of skin cells will be removed when using the Feather razor blade
When using this or any DE Razor, you do not want to add pressure with your hand. That is a big no no. You want to let the weight of the razor cut your whiskars. Adding pressure with your hand will result in your face getting nicked or cut. This razor was designed to shave you well letting only the weight of the shaver head do the work of cutting along with your choice of razor blade. The stradegy of getting a good shave using a DE razor, unlike a cartridge razor that employs multiple blades in one throw away razor, the DE razor should be used making up to 3 passes during a shave. You make your lather, apply w/a brush and make your first pass WTG (with the grain), then rinse and re-lather. Doing your 2nd pass, you want to shave XTG (across the grain), and I'm talking about the grain or the direction which your beard grows. Typically, a lot of beards grow downwards so the WTG pass you will shave using down strokes. XTG shaving you would shave left to right or right to left. For your 3rd pass if you so choose, this pass may be ATG (against the grain), so you would shave starting anywhere on your face but using upwards strokes with the razor. So some shavers find this type of shaving pattern may cut too close to their skin, so you might find this shave pass to be uncomfortable for you, or you may find some areas of your face will not like an ATG shaving pass. Experience is the best teacher. I should mention here and now, shaving in this way using multiple passes with a DE razor accomplishes what is known as beard reduction. Your beard hairs will cut easier and more effectively if you shave them using multiple passes (from different directions), so take your time and don't hurry. Let the weight of the razor cut the hair
In my opinion, when I first used this razor I was new to DE shaving, and I took my time shaving and did (always) a good face prep and was rewarded with a close shave w/o any nicking or cutting of my skin, but if I tried to hurry with this razor and got careless, it would nick here and there. Nicks and cuts can be avoided by taking your time, doing a good face prep before shaving, building a proper lather with a quality shave brush and using a good shaving soap or shaving cream, and letting the weight of the razor cut your beard, and if you want a very close shave, make sure you make multiple passes with the razor one pass at a time. Lather, shave, rinse, repeat, but shave in a different direction or pass each time
If you're new to wet shaving and this will be your first DE Razor purchase, while you're waiting for the razor to arrive, take your time and read about wet shaving at some of the various wet shaving web sites (use a search engine looking for 'wet shaving'). That way you will be prepared for your first shave having taken the time to read how it is done
I highly recommend this particular razor. It has a nice hefty feel to it, the handle is long so you wont feel like you have run out of room with it in your hand, yet you can choke up on it and not use the entire length of the handle. The chrome plating is very good, and one other thing I need to mention, especially if you are a new DE Razor user....you want to make sure you tighten the handle after inserting the razor blade. This is a two piece DE Razor. The top of the head comes off when you unscrew at the very bottom of the handle. You do this so you can insert the razor blade. If you re-insert the top of the razor to the rest of the razor and do not tighten correctly, the top of the razor can allow the razor blade to move up and down, which is not good as your skin can possibly get caught between the blade and the guard (I've done this once=:-(, and got a good cut for being negligent. Don't make this rookie mistake. Make sure you always tighten the top of the razor well before using. Buy this razor with confidence as it is a fine shaving tool and one that will last you your entire life with proper use and care
Product Review: Most excellent razor, fantastic results
Summary: 5 Stars
I've tried many DE (double-edge) razors, knowing full well that DE shaves are far closer than the multi-blade Gillettes. This is the best by far, for several reasons: Best heft and balance; best weight and length; funtional-yet-esthetic design; and an unbelievably close shave as the result. Do your due-diligence and research wet shaving -- there are a few tricks to the trade you need to know first. Here, in a nutshell, is all you need to know to get a great wet shave with this (or any) DE razor:
1) PREP. Buy this razor and a few other preparatory items (mentioned right here). You can start with most any DE blade. Also have: Proraso shaving cream; a badger shaving brush.
2) LATHER. Wash face with warm water (or just take a shower), then squeeze a quarter-sized dollop of shaving cream onto the warm, wet brush; start whipping up a lather directly on your face. Use circular motions, diagonal motions, horizontal, vertical -- it doesn't matter. Get a good lather, which will be denser and less bulky than if you'd used commercial spraycan foams.
3) SHAVE. Slow and steady. Short strokes at all times. After a stroke or two, turn the razor over to use the clean side of the blade. Rinse and repeat. Always shave with the grain.
4) RELATHER; SHAVE AGAIN. Yep, that's right: Do it all over again -- but with one change: Shave across the grain. That means that after you relather, you shave from ear to nose, lobe to chin, going toward the center of the face. This is ACROSS the grain, not AGAINST the grain, and it makes the single biggest difference in going from a decent to a superbly close shave. Pay special attention to your neck: It is its own labyrinth of errant, erratic hair growth patterns. I just go after it twice, once straight down from chin to collarbone in short strokes; and once diagonally from lobe to Adam's apple. That usually gets most of it.
I hope this helps. I went from cordless-electric-shave-in-the-car to spend-10-minutes-on-your-face-after-shower and there is no going back.
Just remember to start slowly with short strokes. That's the only thumbrule you need. You won't regret the switch to DE shaving.
Product Review: New miracle device developed!
Summary: 5 Stars
News Flash...2008.
Razor Scientists have developed a radical new razor called the DE or "Double Edge" Razor. This futuristic, yet elegant, device is made of durable metal instead of the usual plastic and it is machined so well that it would be possible that a single DE Razor could last the average shaver a lifetime. This new shaving device uses amazing "mono blade" technology that delivers a shave as close as the finest multi-blade cartridge system, but the blades are completely bio-degradable and have a tiny "carbon footprint." By a stroke of pure genius the replacement blades will cost about a tenth that of a classic cartridge and will actually provide two complete edges, in essence giving you two blades for the price of one. Since there is only one cutting surface you no longer have to worry about clogging the razor head with hair and shave cream and the DE Razor is less likely to cause bumps and other skin conditions.
An excellent example of this stunning new DE Razor technology is the Merkur Barber Pole DE Razor. Excellent construction, fine finish and craftsmanship combined with real heft and retro styling make this razor a real winner.
Like most state of the art technology, there is a slight learning curve when using this powerful device. The razor does all of the work, so don't apply any pressure and take short strokes instead of the long ones that you were using with current old-style cartridge system razor. Your small efforts will be rewarded with the knowledge that you are not only more "green" but you also have the latest new tech toy on the block.
In a related story, shaving researchers have created a solid shaving lubricant called a shaving soap puck. This highly concentrated pellet can provide at least as many shaves as a can of shaving foam and doesn't use propellants or a steel aerosol can. Foam is created by simply whisking a wet puck with a soft and long life "shaving brush" which is then used to apply/massage the foam on the users face. The system is so sophisticated that unused foam is automatically recycled to be used for the next shave.
FACT??? FICTION??? FANTASY??? OUTRAGEOUS EXAGERATION???
Well, it is all true, but the basic design wasn't developed in 2008, it was developed over 100 years ago and it is likely that your grandpa and possibly your dad used it. Stop paying $3 for a razor cartridge. Put that cash in your pocket and give the Merkur Barber Pole DE razor a try!
Product Review: Old School Shaving
Summary: 5 Stars
Always wondered why my dad used a Double Edged razor, now I know! I purchased this razor a year ago and have enjoyed it ever since. I like the length of the handle and the extra weight . I used disposable razors in the past and there is no comparison in how close the shave is. The quality is top notch and I see no reason why it won't last a lifetime.Product Review: Old Style Shaving
Summary: 5 Stars
I was hesitant upon buying this razor because I thought I was going to cut my own throat with it! To my pleasure, I shaved with it for the first time and, WOW, it shaves as good if not better than the 2 and 5 bladed razors out there and for half the extended price! Not only was the first shave easier but it was enjoyable, almost as if I was back in the day, cheasy, yes, but true. If you want a shave that is smooth, enjoyable, and easy, I would recommend this razor to anyone. I prefer the 38c hd as I am a man with large hands and like the weight of a solid razor, not plastic. don't be swayed by people who would have you believe that if you spend a few more bucks you can get a "Futur," got news, same company and same style of shaving! The question here is do you want a "barber pole" "old style" razor or a new smooth "futuristic" looking old style safety razor? Definitley worth the expenditure either way, saves money in the long run, less garbage, and in fact recyclable! Win, win for everyone.