Customer Rating: 
Summary: Smooth as a baby's bottom!
Comment: Being 25 years old and far from financially wealthy, I became sick of paying so much for cartridge blades and looked into my grandpa's way of shaving. After reading lots of reviews, I went with the Merkur Classic as my first safety razor and couldn't be happier.
First off, there's definitely a learning curve. I was hasty and impatient and the first couple weeks of shaving (I'm not that hairy of a guy, I only need to shave every other day) were a bit dreadful. If you buy this razor, I really encourage you to take a few minutes to study the direction that your hairs grow. I now make about two passes following the grain, then go back for one or two more passes against it. I'm also using a badger hair brush ($25) and some shaving cream that I found at Bath & Body Works (It's in a green tube, cost about $10 for enough to last seemingly forever, and it works great!)
Be warned that these will take more time to shave with. Whereas I could shave with my old Mach 3 in about 5 minutes, I now set aside about 20. However, the closeness of the shave, the reduced irritation, and the warm badger hair brush definitely make it worth the extra time.
Happy shaving!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Great to learn with
Comment: If I had all the information on how to get a good shave with a single edge that is now available on the Internet, I would probably still be using my old Schick injector instead of abandoning it many years ago. Since that item is missing, I tried the Merkur 178 to apply this new (to me) knowledge. The heavy weight and handle length make it easy to get the right angle and pressure to learn the wet shaving method. So far I have been able to learn with this one with only very minimal damage to my face.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Amazing difference
Comment: I bought this razor from another place, but I had been scoping it out here for awhile and felt I had to write a review. I'm 20 years old so I'm not an old timer with nostalgia, I just was looking for a better shave. It just happens to be a better shave that is much much cheaper.
When I first got this I was afraid of cutting my face off. I'm happy to say I've been using it a week with not a single cut. It is absolutely amazing how much better this is than my old Gillette fusion. It is much closer, and absolutely zero irritation. Even where I used to get irritated on my neck is absolutely irritation free. I seriously recommend taking the plunge and getting one of these. You won't regret it, and it will quickly pay for itself.
Customer Rating:
Summary: I like to shave again...
Comment: I really hate the multi-blade cartridge razors, and electric razors really irritate my skin. I decided to try wet-shaving using a safety razor, and after reading reviews, I went with the Merkur classic.
Although a little intimidating at first, the Merkur is actually very easy to use, and provides a nice, close shave. The key is to just be patient while you shave, and to pay attention to what you're doing. The single, straight edge makes shaping sideburns and facial hair pretty easy. Combine with a decent blade, brush, and cream, and you're on your way. I bought the inexpensive Tweezerman brush, Tom's of Maine cream, and the Derby blades, and I'm very happy.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Thirty Years of Pleasure
Comment: I started shaving in the very early 70's. My first razor was the Gillette Techmatic--anyone else remember these? It used a razor strip rather than blades and one got a new surface by turning a wheel to get fresh blade surface. My father was a Gillette double-edge user while I was growing up, and I ended up with one myself. The kind that has the little hangar-type doors that open up for blade change.
One problem with those--they gum up the mechanism over time with accumulated shaving cream. I bought my Merkur in the late 70's, found on vacation. I was fascinated by the mechanism--so much simpler and easier to keep clean. To change blades, one simply unscrews the top surface which is attached to a long threaded screw inserted into the top of the handle. Put the new blade in, put the top on and screw down.
I have used my Merkur since I was in my 20's, and I'm in my 50's now. How many shaves would that be? My razor could pass for new. Periodically I can just brush the disassembled razor parts with some dish detergent and it looks like new.
I never liked the waste of either plastic-encased blade assemblies or disposable razors. Still seems like a waste when all one needs it just a new blade surface.
I'm not a blade snob. I have happily used Gillette, Merkur, Personna, Walgreen's, Wilkinson blades. I have a relatively soft beard, not the Fred Flinstone type, but it grows fast. It's another thing I really like about a double-edge. If you go on vacation and skip shaving a week or so it won't--can't--clog up like the multiblade systems. I've ended up loaning mine to friends on camping trips when theirs can't cut the mustard!
One of these Merkur razors is an investment, as mine proves. I am amazed when I see what replacement blades for these multiblade systems cost. I expect I'll be using this type as long as I shave.
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