

I was browsing through my shave den the other day and thought to myself, “gee, I have a lot of Merkur razors.” I decided to research it a little more thoroughly and as it turns out there are a lot more Merkur razors in production out there–but I’ve never seen the full list in one place! Individual retailers all seem to carry only a portion of the line. And unlike the Edwin Jagger line that basically uses a single head with many handles, Merkur razors come in a variety of forms: two piece, three piece, adjustable, open comb, safety bar, long handle, chrome, gold tone, etc. So here is my (hopefully complete!) list of Merkur razors.



Merkur Model Nomenclature And Availability

Merkur razors enjoy a long history. Unfortunately that long history plays havoc on how individual razors are identified over the years. Depending on source, there are no fewer than three different identifications for each razor: a two-digit number followed by a letter denoting the plating type (C for chrome, G for gold, M for matte, etc. Chrome is the most common plating by far so you will mostly commonly see a model designation like “34C”), a three-digit number, and the current wholesale numbering scheme from the latest Dovo/Merkur manufacturing catalog. The two-digit model numbers are the most prevalent so that is what is listed here, though alternative nomenclature (Also Known As–“AKA”) will be listed when commonly found.

Merkur razors are widely available from many sources. A few select purchasing links are provided for comparison shopping purposes (note our disclosures regarding purchasing links). Remember to include shipping charges when determining total cost!

Each razor is listed by model, how many pieces it breaks down into, the comb type (safety bar, scalloped safety bar, open), weight (in grams), and the handle size/material. Weights and dimensions listed are approximate. I tried to find every razor in production but this list may not be complete. If you can add to it please leave a comment!

15 (AKA 157)

3 piece

Open comb

50 g

3 inch etched chrome finish textured handle

Typical Review: Shave Like Grandad. Relevant quote: “This razor continues to shine as a capable yet comfortable instrument.”

Sample Purchase Links: Amazon , Amazing Shaving, Classic Shaving

20

Added in 2011

3-piece

scalloped bar

60 g

4 inch matte finish black textured handle

Typical Review: The Dappered Society. Relevant quote: “These heads are by far my favorite that I’ve used so far. They just feel so soft against your face when you’re shaving. Another thing I was really loving about this razor was the handle. The grooves really give you a nice grip. And the little end piece at the bottom provides a great stop. It allows my ring finger to rest against it perfectly and my pinky to stay underneath it. It really is the perfect length.”

Sample Purchase Link: Amazon

23 (AKA 180)

The Merkur 23C (AKA 180) is one of Merkur’s best selling double edge razors and a frequent selection of “newbies” because of its relatively low cost. The blade gap is 0.64mm

3 piece

scalloped bar

50 g

4 inch chrome handle

Typical Review: The Close Shave. Relevant quote: “I found the razor a bit too light for me – I prefer a razor with some weight to it. I also found that the handle could have used a bit of substance, my fingers felt a bit too close for comfort (I would say that I have average sized hands). Having said that I could also see someone enjoying this razor – especially if the only thing they are comparing it to is a cartridge razor .”

Sample Purchase Links: Amazon , Amazing Shaving, Classic Shaving

25

3 piece

open comb

60 g

4 inch handle

Typical Review: The Close Shave. Relevant quote: “If you are just starting out or wanted give a long handle a try this might be the place to start.”

Sample Purchase Links: Amazon , Classic Shaving

30



Added in 2011. Slightly head-heavy.

3 piece

scalloped bar

55 g

3 inch handle

Typical Review: (forum posting). Relevant quote: “I was thrown by how mild the razor was yet surprised at how good the shave was.”

Sample Purchase Link: Amazon

33 (AKA 163)

3-piece

scalloped comb

55 g

3 inch chrome textured handle

Typical Review: (No independent reviews available)

Sample Purchase Links: Amazon , Amazing Shaving, Classic Shaving

34 (AKA 178)



The Merkur 34C was the closest thing to a “bog standard” safety razor for a long time, though over the past few years the Edwin Jagger DE89 series of razors have made it a horse race. Due to its popularity, this razor has taken on a number of aliases, including the HD, the Heavy Duty, and the Heavy Classic. It has a 0.71mm blade gap

2 piece

77 g

scalloped bar

3 inch chrome textured handle

Typical review: many reviews are easily found with a search engine query.

Sample Purchase Links: Amazon , Amazing Shaving (also has the gold-plated version!), Classic Shaving

37 (AKA “Slant”)

The blade sits on a slant in the razor head with one side raised higher than the other. Sharpologist recently had an article regarding the future of slant bar razors.

2 piece

77 g

scalloped bar

3 inch chrome textured handle

Typical Review: (forum posting). Relevant quote: “The bottom line is that the slant bar is quite aggressive, and there is a learning curve. But, I got a better shave than a standard DE every time. It is far more efficient, too.”

Sample Purchase Links: Amazon , Classic Shaving

38 (AKA “Barberpole”)



Longer and heavier than the 34, it is often compared to the 34 but it has a blade gap of 0.64mm. Several handle finishing options are available.

2 peice

scalloped bar

95+ g (depending on version)

4 inch heavily textured chrome handle (black, non-stick coating over chrome available)

Typical Review: (forum posting). Relevant quote: “The balance is also perfect,or almost perfect,since I can feel how most of its weight is on the head, and not so much on the handle,once Im shaving.”

Sample Purchase Links: Amazon , Classic Shaving

39 (AKA”Barberpole Slant”)

2 piece

scalloped bar

115 g

4 inch heavily textured chrome handle

Typical review: Jason’s Ordinary Guy Reviews. Relevant quote: “While it excels at busting through multiple days of growth, it also lets you get a ridiculously close shave with minimal irritation. ”

Sample Purchase Links: Amazon , Classic Shaving

40 (AKA “Barrel Grip”)



Introduced recently so there is little information on it.

3 piece

scalloped bar

140 g

3 inch colored (blue or red) “barrel” handle

Typical review: (No independent reviews available. UPDATE: for Sharpologist’s own review of this razor CLICK HERE)

Sample Purchase Links: Amazon , Classic Shaving

43

Merkur has recently dipped it toes into the higher-end, artisan category with this razor, using a standard chrome-plated head with an unusual stainless steel handle.

2 piece

scalloped comb

150 g

4 inch brushed stainless steel “keg barreled” handle

Typical Review: The Close Shave. Relevant quote: “There is a lot of razor here, and it feels like you are holding something worthy of the few extra bucks.”

Sample Purchase Links: Amazon , Classic Shaving

44

Introduced in 2011 and not commonly stocked.

2 piece

scalloped bar

71 g

4 inch matte black or satin chrome, cigar-shaped handle

Typical Review: (forum posting). Relevant quote: “The shave is close and extremely smooth but not aggressive. I really like this razor and will match it to any EJ razor for quality.”

45 (AKA “Bakelite”)



The first synthetic plastic, Bakelite, is used in this very light-weight razor.

3 piece

straight bar

15 g

3 inch red-and-black finish

Typical Review: The Close Shave. Relevant quote: ” It would also make a great little travel razor – its light – and also available with its own travel case. What this razor isn’t, is your first razor, save the purchase of this once you have mastered and enjoyed classic shaving with a razor made out of something other than Bakelite.”

Sample Purchase Link: Amazon

47

Razor is a heavy duty double edge with a long, lined handle.

3 piece

scalloped bar

80 g

4 inch chrome “lined texture” handle

Typical Review: (forum posting). Relevant quote: “All in all, this is not a UFO or Ikon Bulldog XL handle, but I will almost compare it quality wise and feel wise to my Edwin Jagger Chatsworth Barley Chrome handle.”

Sample Purchase Links: Amazon , Classic Shaving

Classic (AKA 1904/1906, 41/42)

A frequent selection of the beginner for its relatively low cost, classic design, and mild 0.56mm blade gap. But model numbers and variations can be confusing. Be sure to read descriptions closely (particularly regarding comb) before buying.

3 piece

scalloped bar (42) or open comb (41)

65 g

3 inch faceted chrome handle

Typical Review: Dapperism. Relevant quote: “The Merkur 1904 is a rock solid razor for a rock bottom price, and for someone looking to venture out in the double edge safety razor world, the Merkur is an all around great choice for someone not wanting to spend a lot of money. ”

Sample Purchase Links: Amazon , Classic Shaving (Scalloped, Open)

Travel Razor (AKA 413, 414)



The standard Merkur head (scalloped or open) mated to a small, two-piece handle (4 pieces total). Comes with a small leather pouch

4 piece

56 g

scalloped bar (413) or open comb (414)

2 inch handle

Typical Review: (forum posting) Relevant quote: “This is everything a travel razor is supposed to be; light, packable, easy to use, capable of giving a decent shave while being almost impossible to hurt yourself with.”

Sample Purchase Links: Amazon (Scalloped ), Classic Shaving (scalloped, open)

Merkur Adjustable Razors

Progress



The Progress is available in a short (3 inch) or long (4 inch) handle with a very wide adjustment range. I make no secret that this is my favorite razor. There are several aftermarket dials available to replace the standard plastic (some say ugly) adjustment dial.

2 piece

scalloped bar

90 g (short); 100 g (long)

3 inch (short) or 4 inch (long) lined chrome handle

Typical Review: (forum posting). Relevant quote: “You will have to pry my Progress out of my cold, dead hands.” — Mantic59

Sample Purchase Links: Amazon (short , long ), Classic Shaving (short, long)

Futur



The Futur is available in matte finish or polished chrome. More “aggressive” than the Progress, the lowest setting on the Futur is higher than the lowest setting on the Progress. It is available in matte (“satin”) or polished chrome, and gold-plated finishes

2 piece (with unusual ‘pop-off’ top cap)

straight bar

108 g

4 inch handle

Typical Review:

Sample Purchase Links: Amazon , Classic Shaving

Vision 2000



I don’t know if I should have included the Vision (or more accurately, the Vision 2000) since it has recently been discontinued, but it can still be found as “new old stock” from a few sources:

Amazon , Amazing Shaving