MERKUR 25C Double Edge Safety Razor in Bright Chrome with an Open Comb Design, Long Handle, Made in Germany, Plastic-Free, Three-Piece Design, and Straight Bar

The rule of thumb with any sort of alternative shaving method (straight razor, double-edge safety razor, etc) is YOUR MILEAGE MAY VARY. Choosing the right shaving equipment is a very personal decision. Everyone's face and skin are different, and what works really well for one person- or even most people- might not necessarily work for you. Even if the reviews are overwhelmingly positive, one needs to know going in that its unlikely they will find the exact right equipment on the first go-round. Instead let the reviews guide you toward which equipment is /well-made/, then go from there in finding what works for you. --Backgound-- I discovered DE (double edge) safety razor shaving after looking for a cheaper alternative to traditional cartridge razors. While they always gave me a nice clean shave, I always hated having to drop $4 per cartridge only to have it dull after a week. While helping a good friend clean out his grandfather's garage, I discovered a 1940's era Gillette razor in basically unused condition. He let me keep it. I took it home, and cleaned it to a nice shine. I then went and bought some Personna blades from the local Walgreens, and off I went. However, I found the handle on the Gillette too short for my liking, and combined with its weight made my fingers cramp. The combination of blade+razor also did shave as close as I would have liked. So I ordered some Feather blades (based off good reviews) as well a sampler package of different blades (definitely go this route starting out) I then went and ordered this. I was initially on the fence about going with an open comb or with a guard. But I figured if I didn't like the open comb, I could always go back to the old Gillette. --The Product-- When I opened the package, I was really impressed. Its a really beautiful looking tool. It feels heavy enough to be substantial but light enough to be deft in one's hands. The finish work is really wonderful, and it looks and feels every bit the German-made tool that it is. It came with a blade that I didn't especially care for, but with the Personna blades it gave a nice smooth shave. It is definitely more aggressive than the old Gillette, and gets to the top lip hairs under my nose that the Gillette couldn't reach. --On Blades-- When I finally received the Feathers and Sampler pack, I found that different blades were picky about which of the two razors I used. One giving a nice shave in the Merkur would be totally ineffective in the Gillette. (like the Personna) Or the reverse: one in the Gillette might give a smooth, comfortable shave but when in the Merkur would shred your face to a bloody mess. (the Feather was the worst offender, but could be controlled with a bit of practice) It was a nice bonus that the threads on the Merkur and Gillette both matched, so that I could use either head with the Merkur's long, comfortable handle, if I needed to. In the end I found that I generally preferred the Merkur. I also found that- much to my immense chagrin- the blades that paired best with it, lasted longest, and gave by fair the best shave, were the Gillettes I so wanted to avoid. --Conclusion-- As I've said, you really can't go off rating alone when purchasing shaving gear, so I've tried to relay as much about my own experiences as possible to help you make an informed decision. My only piece of advice: if you don't already have a safety razor, you might want to start on one with a guard. Once you've got the technique down, you can get a more aggressive one if you decide you really need it. But in the end this is just me, and my advice will only get you so far.

On Dec 8, 2023, I bought the Merkur Razor Double Edge Safety Razor, MK-25C (Open Comb) But let me tell the WHOLE STORY ........ I bought the Merkur 23C Double Edge Safety Razor on Nov 17, 2023, after having bought my first double edge safety razor of another brand on Oct 21, 2023, which cut me up really good, blood everywhere! Being new to double edge safety razors, I decided to do some research, and from my research, everyone said to buy the Merkur 23C Double Edge Safety Razor if you are new to double edge safety razors. When I received my Merkur 23C on Nov 18, 2023, I unboxed it, and shaved with it for the first time, and got NO CUTS, and NO BLOOD, just a perfect shave! The Merkur 23C closed comb razor is not a real aggressive razor, so I did have some problems in spots that were hard to get to! So on Dec 8, 2023, I bought the Merkur 25C open comb razor, which is a more aggressive razor, It solved my problems with the hard to get to spots! So I suggest having both the Merkur 23C closed comb razor, and the Merkur 25c open comb razor! I am very pleased with having both of those razors !! There are to many variables as to what the best blade is for each user, but my favorite blade is the Astra Platinum Double Edge Safety Razor Blades! FIVE STARS for all three items mentioned in this review! After 40 years of shaving, I finally enjoy shaving !! This is the only way to shave, and the most economical way to shave!! I feel so ripped off by the shaving products that I have used for the last 40 years !! Make the switch to a Double Edge Safety Razor, TODAY !! GOOD LUCK, AND HAPPY SHAVING !! SIDE NOTE: Woman, these razors are great for shaving your legs !!

I, like so many others, have decided to go back to shaving with a double edge safety razor. I am tired of paying the high price of the multi-blade refills. I am old enough to have learned to shave with one of these, so my experience will be different than someone who is buying one for the first time. I researched many razors before selecting this one. Prices varied from $19.99 to $100+. Two features I wanted were a long handle and a removable head vice the butterfly opening head. The Merkur 25C fit both of those desires. The razor itself is very well made and has, for me, just the right amount of heft. In my opinion, the removable head holds the blade more securely than the butterfly style does and this is important when shaving with a double edge. This razor has an open comb (rounded teeth) vice a closed comb (bar) and I was a little concerned about that as back in the day I used a closed comb style. No worries. I have not noticed any difference from what I recall with a closed comb. Having said that, if you are new to a safety razor do not press and drag as hard as you do with the multi-blade razor you have been using. You will end up looking like you shaved with an angry cat. I have not nicked or cut myself yet and while the shave was a bit uncomfortable the first couple of days it is nice and smooth now. I think this was more a matter of technique than anything else. Use plenty of soap (cream) and water and let the razor do the work. It has the weight to give you close, comfortable shave by itself. Cleanup is a breeze (won't clog like those multi-blades) and I recommend a razor stand to store it on between shaves. If you are looking for a well-made safety razor, look no further. You won't be disappointed with Merkur.

I have had the Merkur Long-handled, closed-comb safety razor, Model #33C, for some time, but had never been quite happy with the closeness of the shave. I should admit that I have a thick, coarse, fast-growing beard, and what I review here may not be applicable for men with beards that are not as thick, coarse, or fast-growing. Upon reading the reviews of the open-comb, #25C being a more aggressive razor due to the open comb, I decided to give it a try. I've tried every type of shaving in the 40+ years that I've been shaving, including wet shaving with disposable razors, multiple-blade cartridge razors, double-edged safety razors, shavettes, and straight razors; and I've tried a number of different electric razors. No method of shaving comes close to shaving with a straight razor, which I did for years, but I tired of the constant maintenance (stropping 50 to 60 times each morning, occasional honing, and annual sharpening by a professional service), and the cost. Insofar as the multiple-blade cartridge razors, the cost is prohibitive, and the supposed benefits of multiple blades is a gimmick, at least as far as my experience with them. Disposable razors are hit-and-miss in terms of quality. Even using a good quality double-edged razor, I still need to do a final touch-up with a shavette, unless I want 5 o'clock shadow by noon. So, I thought that the 25C would provide a closer shave than the 33C, as posted by many reviewers. It doesn't. I could detect no discernable difference between the 25C and the 33C. Upon close inspection of the design, I am convinced that it is because the base plate on the 25C holds the blade much closer to the comb that does the base plate on the 33C. On the closed-comb 33C, there is about 1mm of space between the blade and the comb, which allows for more direct contact with the skin by the blade, depending upon the angle at which one holds the razor. On the open-comb 25C, the blade is almost in direct contact with the combs, with no perceptible space between them. Consequently, it is not possible to get the same full contact with the skin as it is with the 33C. I did change the blades that I've been using, switching to the Feather Hi-stainless blades, which appear to be much sharper than the Astra blades or the Personna blades that I had been using. Still, even with the Feather blades, the shave is not close enough, and I have to do a final pass against the grain with a straight-razor or a shavette. The feather blades last for about 3 shaves before I have to replace them. Both the 25C and the 33C are fine DE razors, and I would buy them again. However, I will be more cautious in reading reviews of razors claiming to be "more aggressive."

This is it! I have a very sensitive face and a curly beard. I have been shaving with a safety razor for over a decade. Mostly been using an Edwin Jagger DE89 (a Merkur 34C clone -- close comb) and a plastic Feather travel razor (bar) with Bic Chrome Platinum blades. I wanted to try an open comb for some time but was concerned that it would be too aggressive. This razor is amazing and is my new forever razor. It is easy to find the edge and aggressive enough that I can normally get everything with one pass without being so aggressive on my sensitive face. I like the long handle as it is a nice counter balance and give me room for my big hands when I go against the grain on my neck. My only pet peeve is that the handle has a hole in the end which seems odd to me as all my others are solid at the end. It is also a little light (not as heavy as my Edwin Jagger but way heavier than my Feather travel razor). Neither of this would keep me from using this forever or looking for any other razor.

Update... It's been well over 7 years and i'm still loving this razor. I have attached pics from today, over 7 &1/2 years later, and it still works and looks like new. This is one of those buy it for life items. My son was just a little kid when I bought this and I bought him one just like it last december because he's shaving now. He likes his a lot, and has no issues. It's crazy cheap to get replacement blades. I tried some various sample packs, but finally bought a 100 pack of shark blades for like 20 bucks years ago. I am finally getting to the end of that pack. Also, I no longer have issues with my neck breaking out every time I shave like I did before switching to this style razor. As long as I take the time to prep, the shave ends up smooth and bump free. I really like the creamo shaving cream with this razor. Oh, and in the original review I talked about wanting the handle to be longer, but after using it long term I like it just fine as it is. I have found that you end up using it differently than other razors, and it's just not an issue. *See below for original review* I wasn't sure about trying these razors, but a buddy talked me into it. Combined with shark blades I really like this razor. I got the long and was surprised that it is still shorter than the regular razor I was using. I do wish the handle was a little longer. The smooth end that slides along your face feels good because it holds the heat from the hot water, and I get a good shave. I have used it for a few weeks now and have not cut myself yet. I see no need to go back to the multi-blade wonders that cost a fortune for replacement blades.

I was a little worried that I might cut myself using this razor after reading several reviews, but this turned out to be a great purchase. It does not clog at all and provides a close shave. I also like the extra long handle, which provides additional comfort and control.

I had been looking for an open comb because I wanted to try something new. I was originally going to buy a parker 24c but when I noticed the sleek head on the merkur 25c I immediately new that was the one. Boy am I happy I made this decision. This is the 3rd merkur in my line up. The 38c has been my daily razor, the39c slant is ok but doesn't impress me much and rarely gets used. The 25c is a different animal all together. It's not aggressive at all and I think would be just fine for a beginner. Several reviews I've read mention how the razor seems to glide over their faces much better than closed comb, this is an opinion I have to agree with. The shave is incredibly smooth. And the result is a bbs face (at least for me anyway). I honestly think this just replaced my 38c in the number 1 spot. It's just as long as the 38 and 39 razors but about half as heavy. The others are about 4ozs and the 25 comes in at around 1.5ozs. That was the only draw back for me when I 1st opened the box but after shaving realized it made no difference in the quality of the shave. The sleek head makes it perfect to get under the nose. All in all, I love it and HIGHLY recommend for anyone in the market for an OC. Happy Shaving

Heute gekommen und gleich ausprobiert.... Wahnsinn! Meine Klinge ist die Personna und Isana, damit komm ich in allen Rasieren bestens zurecht. Also eine in den Hobel und ein super Ergebnis. Die Klinge fühlt man deutlich auf der Haut, trotzdem sehr sanft/angenehm und gründlich. Der Kopf ist der flachste in meiner Sammlung. Keiner kommt so gut unter der Nase zurecht. Der dünne Griff liegt sehr gut in der Hand und die Gewichtsverteilung ist hervorragend. Die Struktur des Griffs vermittelt nicht nur Sicherheit, er ist es auch. Hautirritationen hatte ich (trotz der fühlbaren Klinge) eigentlich keine, das Rasierwasser war vielleicht etwas deutlicher zu spüren als sonst, aber mehr nicht. Ich hatte lange die offenen Kämme gemieden, es wird ja oft genug propagiert das die aggressiv sind und eher für Profis. Bei dem Rasierer totaler Quatsch. Ich bereue, ihn nicht schon eher gekauft zu haben. Er ist sehr gutmütig und sanft und, entgegen vieler Meinungen zum offenen Kamm, absolut auch für Einsteiger geeignet. Andere Hobel mit geschlossenem Kamm und etwas mehr Klingenspalt gehen da aggressiver zu Werke. Man muss vor dem Merkur wirklich keine Angst haben. Klar, die Rasur mit einem Hobel ist Geschmackssache. Seife, Klinge, Hobel... Jeder mag andere Kombinationen, aber der Merkur bekommt von mir nach dem ersten Eindruck schon alle 5 Sterne, perfekt, Daumen hoch. Update 03/2022: Als Klingen sind mittlerweile nur noch Ladas im Einsatz. Ist über die Zeit mein Favorit geworden. Rasiere mich aller 2...3 Tage, und da lieferte bisher der Merkur 25C den besten Kompromiss ab. Lange Haare ohne Probleme und Verstopfung weg, Hautirritationen nicht wirklich vorhanden. Rasur-Ergebnis nahezu perfekt. Mühle R41 und Wilkinson Vintage Butterfly- Gründlicher geht fast nicht, nach dem 2. Gang "Baby-Popo", aber es ist auch wirklich ALLES weg. Pickel u.ä. Bluten schon mal und meine Haut mag das definitiv nicht aller 2...3 Tage. Mühle R89 oder Black Swort Butterfly- Gründlich ist anders, aber sehr sehr sanft und auch für tägliche Anwendung geeignet. Naja, das Sanfte ist der Preis dafür, das noch leichte "Stoppeln" gegen den Strich beim Eincremen hinterher spürbar sind. Mein Fazit: Auch nach der Zeit bis jetzt sieht der Merkur 25C noch aus wie am ersten Tag und am Material sind keine Abnutzungen o.ä. zu sehen. Das Rasur-Ergebnis kann sich sehen lassen und meine Haut verträgt das aller 2...3 Tage sehr gut. Ja, man hat mal Lust auf was Anderes und so freue ich mich auch immer meine anderen Rasierer zu benutzen. Aber der, der bisher am meisten im Einsatz ist, ist der Merkur 25C :)

Provengo da un millantatissimo da chiunque Edwin Jagger de89 che per me si è rivelato abbastanza scomodo e ciccione e volevo qualcosa di più snello e maneggevole, oltre ad avere il manico più lungo e un pettine un po’ più aperto . Credo che questo rasoio possa tranquillamente essere usato come primo rasoio. Io lo utilizzo con le Derby Extra, ho notato che non va molto in profondità anche in contropelo, mi è sembrato che addirittura l’EJ vada più in profondità e sia più aggressivo, devo solo verificare se è una questione di lamette perchè le Derby sono leggerissime e quindi lo proverò insieme alle Astra Verdi. A me va bene così perchè non cerco necessariamente il BBS (anzi…) ed è letteralmente una piuma sul viso, a volte non lo senti nemmeno. Lo consiglio vivamente.

Clean shave without any unseen whiskers, I use astra blades personally. Better than the other brand I got which missed small hairs

Esta maquinilla es brutal,bien echa,equilibrada,ligera y aunque es de peine abierto no es agresiva, el unico " pero" es que al ser de peine abierto debes de tener un poco de practica a la hora de afeitarte y debes de buscar el angulo perfecto,sino veras que te deja surcos de jabón en la cara ,esa es la señal de que el angulo no es el adecuado y no te apura bien el afeitado. El mango largo hace que la puedas manejar perfectamente.Para mi esta maquinilla es un 10 ,me deja la cara como la de un bebe con las cuchillas astra verdes con una sola pasada,las uso 3 afeitados y van genial.Mi barba es bastante cerrada y me afeito cada 2 dias. Es un regalo de mi mujer.Gracias esposa has acertado.

Excelente barbeador! O Merkur 25C me surpreendeu positivamente. Apesar de ser um modelo de pente aberto, ele proporciona um barbear muito eficiente sem ser agressivo ou passar sensação de perigo. O cabo tem ótima ergonomia e um excelente grip, não escorrega mesmo com as mãos molhadas ou ensaboadas, o que traz mais segurança durante o uso. A construção também transmite muita qualidade. No geral, é um barbeador confortável, eficiente e com excelente acabamento. Recomendo para quem deseja experimentar um pente aberto.