Paul
Vendor Sponsor
- Joined
- Friday July 10, 2009
- Location
- Suffolk, England
Merkur:
Merkur have three original head styles + the Progress & newer Vision & Futur Models. All are a brass alloy plated in Chrome (C) or Nickel for the No. 41 & 42 models.
Some models are still available in Gold & these models are suffixed with a G. Merkur have cut down the number of models offered in Gold due to a lack of demand.
Classic Head - Straight Bar (closed comb)
Not the original but now the most popular head style by far & what Muehle & Jagger decided to opt for with there new head design. Thought of as more forgiving than the open comb but really just as aggressive but with the added protection of an unbroken bar.
3-Piece - The handle, straight bar & top come as separate pieces & screw together.
* These are light weight so have a more even balance, where as the 2-piece models are weighted at the handle end.
* More manoeuvrable & less aggressive than the 2-piece.
* Available in 3" or 4 " long handled models.
3"
33C
33G
42
933CL (travel, 2 piece handle)
4"
23C
2-Piece - The straight bar is fixed to the handle, only the top unscrews.
* These models are heavier so can provide a more aggressive shave than the 3-piece.
* Thicker handle than the three piece which some find more comfortable to hold.
* Available in 3" or 4 " long handled models.
3"
34C
34G
4"
38C Mirror
38 Satin
38 Blue
38 Red
Classic Head - Open Comb)
Most of the straight bar razors are available with the open comb head. Originally invented by King Camp Gillette in 1904 the open comb was the original design for the safety razor head. Now recommended for shavers with a particularity heavy or coarse beard, as the comb can catch awkward hairs easier or with less passes than the straight bar razors. Thought to be more aggressive the blade is just exposed between the combs so easier to nick yourself if you apply any pressure. This being said it's possible to achieve a great shave no matter your beard / skin type with any head design it's just an open comb does work very well on thick or coarse beards.
3-Piece - The handle, comb & top come as separate pieces & screw together.
* These models are light weight so have a more even balance, where as the 2-piece are weighted at the handle end.
* More manoeuvrable & less aggressive than the 2-piece.
* Available in 3" or 4 " long handled models.
3"
15C
41
985CL (travel, 2 piece handle)
4"
25C
2-Piece - The comb bar is fixed to the handle
* These models are heavier so can provide a more aggressive shave than the 3-piece.
* Thicker handle than the three piece which some find more comfortable to hold.
* Available in 3" or 4 " long handled models.
3"
11C
4"
12C
Slant Head (closed comb)
The most aggressive of the fixed head razors but with a reputation of being fierce which is not really deserved.
Designed to slice the hairs rather than just cut this is often recommended for people with coarse / tough beards but sensitive skin. Available in Chrome or Gold in a 3†handle or just Chrome with a 4†heavy weight handle.
3"
37C
37G
4"
39C
Edwin Jagger
Straight Bar / Closed comb – Based on the Merkur design this is a new head made in the EU for Muehle & Edwin Jagger. Each company uses their own handle designs & the heads are plated to their own spec.
87DE or 89L
Chatsworth
Loxley
Georgian
A range of handle styles are available but these all use the Chrome Plated new style head. Generally thought to be slightly less aggressive than the original Merkur straight bar.
Muehle
Available in the same closed or open comb options as the Merkur.
Straight Bar / Closed comb – Based on the Merkur design this is a new head made in the EU for Muehle & Edwin Jagger. Each company uses their own handle designs & the heads are plated the head to their own spec. The 89 & 106 are light weight steel but the 42 & other luxury models come with solid horn, steel or wooden handles. Generally thought to be slightly less aggressive than the original Merkur straight bar.
R89
R106
R42SR, R85SR etc.
Open Comb – The new 41 still has the Merkur head so is similar to the 15C but the 41 has a lighter.
weight handle. I do not own an old 41 so I can't comment on that.
- R101 New Muehle open comb head.
Merkur have three original head styles + the Progress & newer Vision & Futur Models. All are a brass alloy plated in Chrome (C) or Nickel for the No. 41 & 42 models.
Some models are still available in Gold & these models are suffixed with a G. Merkur have cut down the number of models offered in Gold due to a lack of demand.
Classic Head - Straight Bar (closed comb)
Not the original but now the most popular head style by far & what Muehle & Jagger decided to opt for with there new head design. Thought of as more forgiving than the open comb but really just as aggressive but with the added protection of an unbroken bar.
3-Piece - The handle, straight bar & top come as separate pieces & screw together.
* These are light weight so have a more even balance, where as the 2-piece models are weighted at the handle end.
* More manoeuvrable & less aggressive than the 2-piece.
* Available in 3" or 4 " long handled models.
3"
33C
33G
42
933CL (travel, 2 piece handle)
4"
23C
2-Piece - The straight bar is fixed to the handle, only the top unscrews.
* These models are heavier so can provide a more aggressive shave than the 3-piece.
* Thicker handle than the three piece which some find more comfortable to hold.
* Available in 3" or 4 " long handled models.
3"
34C
34G
4"
38C Mirror
38 Satin
38 Blue
38 Red
Classic Head - Open Comb)
Most of the straight bar razors are available with the open comb head. Originally invented by King Camp Gillette in 1904 the open comb was the original design for the safety razor head. Now recommended for shavers with a particularity heavy or coarse beard, as the comb can catch awkward hairs easier or with less passes than the straight bar razors. Thought to be more aggressive the blade is just exposed between the combs so easier to nick yourself if you apply any pressure. This being said it's possible to achieve a great shave no matter your beard / skin type with any head design it's just an open comb does work very well on thick or coarse beards.
3-Piece - The handle, comb & top come as separate pieces & screw together.
* These models are light weight so have a more even balance, where as the 2-piece are weighted at the handle end.
* More manoeuvrable & less aggressive than the 2-piece.
* Available in 3" or 4 " long handled models.
3"
15C
41
985CL (travel, 2 piece handle)
4"
25C
2-Piece - The comb bar is fixed to the handle
* These models are heavier so can provide a more aggressive shave than the 3-piece.
* Thicker handle than the three piece which some find more comfortable to hold.
* Available in 3" or 4 " long handled models.
3"
11C
4"
12C
Slant Head (closed comb)
The most aggressive of the fixed head razors but with a reputation of being fierce which is not really deserved.
Designed to slice the hairs rather than just cut this is often recommended for people with coarse / tough beards but sensitive skin. Available in Chrome or Gold in a 3†handle or just Chrome with a 4†heavy weight handle.
3"
37C
37G
4"
39C
Edwin Jagger
Straight Bar / Closed comb – Based on the Merkur design this is a new head made in the EU for Muehle & Edwin Jagger. Each company uses their own handle designs & the heads are plated to their own spec.
87DE or 89L
Chatsworth
Loxley
Georgian
A range of handle styles are available but these all use the Chrome Plated new style head. Generally thought to be slightly less aggressive than the original Merkur straight bar.
Muehle
Available in the same closed or open comb options as the Merkur.
Straight Bar / Closed comb – Based on the Merkur design this is a new head made in the EU for Muehle & Edwin Jagger. Each company uses their own handle designs & the heads are plated the head to their own spec. The 89 & 106 are light weight steel but the 42 & other luxury models come with solid horn, steel or wooden handles. Generally thought to be slightly less aggressive than the original Merkur straight bar.
R89
R106
R42SR, R85SR etc.
Open Comb – The new 41 still has the Merkur head so is similar to the 15C but the 41 has a lighter.
weight handle. I do not own an old 41 so I can't comment on that.
- R101 New Muehle open comb head.