Today we are going to be reviewing the Merkur 33c safety razor, also commonly referred to as the Merkur “Classic” safety razor.
Merkur, based in Germany, has been making top-quality razors for over a century. They are one of the industry leaders and the craftsmanship of Merkur products are second to none. And as you’ll learn in today’s review, the 33c lives up to the Merkur name and standards.
The Merkur 33c is the type of safety razor you could probably picture your grandpa using. It has a very classic yet sleek design. It is made with good quality materials and has a very solid construction.
This is one of the more popular safety razors on the market for a reason. It has the classic safety razor design. It has a good weight distribution. It has a ton of grip. Overall, just one of the best safety razors you’ll find at an affordable price point.
Pros
- Excellent grip
- Good weight distribution and balance point
- Proven “Classic” 3-piece design
- Durable
- Moderate aggressiveness
Cons
- Lighter handle than I prefer
Product Overview & Specs
- 3-piece double-edge safety razor
- Straight bar, closed comb
- Chrome finish
- Knurling on handle
- 3.3 inches long
- Weighs roughly 57 grams or 2 ounces
Key Features
Excellent Grip
The grip on the Merkur 33c is as good as you’re going to find on a safety razor. It is incredibly easy to grip onto because the handle has a cross-sectional pattern knurling that helps it just stick to your hand. Even the knob at the bottom of the handle has knurling.
The handle on the Merkur classic safety razor is slightly on the shorter side at roughly 3 inches long. And although I typically prefer a slightly longer handle, I find that the 33c is still really easy to handle and maneuver because it has such good grip. The 33c is not going to slip out of your hands while shaving.
Top-Heavy Weight Distribution
At roughly 2 ounces, the Merkur Classic is lighter than a lot of safety razors on the market. However, it has really good weight distribution with the balance point being at the top of the knurling on the handle. Most of the weight of the 33c is in the razorhead while the handle is pretty light.
I usually prefer a slightly heavier safety razor because it’s just easier to have good technique with a heavier safety razor. But because the Merkur 33c has a good balance point and weight distribution, I didn’t have any issues with it.
Slightly Above Average Aggressiveness
For a closed-comb razor, the Merkur 33c has a decent amount of bite in it. I rate it as probably a 5/10 on the aggressiveness scale. It’s a very manageable aggressiveness. There’s nothing in the design that would make the Merkur classic overly aggressive if you’re using good technique. After all, it’s a fixed blade gap, straight bar, closed comb safety razor.
But what I think makes it feel a little more aggressive than it actually is that it’s not that heavy. Because it is on the lighter side, the razorhead can’t do all the work. And what happens is you overcompensate and “pull” while shaving. So make sure you really focus on using good technique if you go with the Merkur 33c.
In the end though, I think the aggressiveness is really going to depend more on what blade you are using. If you’re using a sharp Feather de blade, then yeah it’s going to feel really aggressive. But if you’re using a mild Shark de blade, it’s going to be pretty mild and smooth.
Personally I like safety razors that are right in the middle of aggressiveness because I have more control over it with my blade choice.
Durable 3-Piece Razor Design
The 33c is a durable 3-piece safety razor that can last you many years if you take care of it. The 3-piece design makes it really easy to both replace the blade and take it apart for a deep cleaning. All you have to do is unscrew the razorhead from the handle.
I like 3-piece safety razors because they are really easy to clean. You can just take it apart and clean each piece individually without having to try and get in any tight cracks or crevices to get all the shaving soap gunk off.
The Merkur 33c is a great safety razor for traveling too. Why? Well you can just disassemble it and put it in your Dopp kit. It takes up way less space unassembled.
Polished Chrome Finish
Just wanted to point out again how durable the Merkur Classic is because it is made with such high quality materials. The chrome finish makes it incredibly durable and resistant to corrosion. It also makes it look really sharp.
Comes With 1 Merkur Blade
Packaging may vary in some cases, but the Merkur 33c Classic typically comes with 1 Merkur blade.
I think it’s definitely worth trying the Merkur blade out to see if it’s right for you, but I highly recommend you buy a sample pack of razor blades as well. The only way to figure out what double edge blade is best for you is by trying out a variety of them.
The Merkur blade is a pretty mild blade. So if you have a thick beard or really coarse hair and need an aggressive shave, it’s probably not going to be the optimal blade.
Who Do We Recommend The Merkur 33C For?
The Merkur 33c “Classic” safety razor is a great option for a wide range of wet shavers. I really like the moderate aggressiveness it offers as it allows the user to either tone the aggressiveness down and use a smooth blade or turn up the aggressiveness even more with an ultra-sharp blade like a Feather.
The overall product has a great design, it is made with excellent materials and it is very durable. And although I do prefer a little more weight in a safety razor, the 33c does have an excellent balance point.
Because of the affordable price point, I think this is a great option for beginners. It’s not the cheapest safety razor on the market, but it’s also not made with cheap materials that will break 6 months after using it.
The Merkur 33c is also excellent for wet shavers that travel a lot. The 3-piece design and shorter handle make it easy to take apart and store in your Dopp kit. It has a much lower profile than a 2-piece or butterfly safety razor and can save some valuable space.
What Are Some Other Safety Razors To Consider?
Merkur 23C Long Handled Safety Razor
The Merkur 23c long handle is another great safety razor option from Merkur. The 23c is very similar to the 33c except as its name implies, it has a longer handle. It offers great grip on the handle and has an excellent balance point. Just an excellent, classic and durable 3-piece design.
The 23c is a moderate aggressiveness (5/10). If you are looking for a good, durable safety razor with a long handle, Merkur’s 23c is one of the best.
Edwin Jagger DE89 Double Edge Safety Razor
Edwin Jagger’s DE89 safety razor is one of the most popular on the market, especially for beginners. It’s got a nice long handle at 3.75 inches long, and the balance point is in a good location. It’s definitely razorhead heavy but has excellent weight distribution.
The aggressiveness of the DE89 is probably around a 4/10. And this is why I think it’s such a great option for beginners. It will deliver a really close shave, but it’s still forgiving enough to where you won’t be punished for every mistake. You can definitely make it more aggressive just by putting in a sharper blade like a Feather de blade.
The Edwin Jagger DE89 was actually my first ever safety razor and I really enjoyed using it. It’s a really well designed, durable and functional safety razor.
Parker 99R Butterfly Open Safety Razor
Are you looking for a safety razor that is really aggressive? Then you should take a closer look at Parker’s 99R.
The Parker 99R is one of the most popular and well made butterfly open safety razors. It’s pretty heavy at 3.4 ounces and has a long handle at 4 inches. It’s made with chrome plated brass which makes it very durable. The overall feel and weight distribution of the 99R just makes it feel like a premium safety razor.
The Parker 99R is around an 8/10 or 9/10 on the aggressivness scale. Therefore, I think it’s best when used by men with thick, coarse beards. I don’t recommend beginners use the 99R. Go learn proper technique with a more mild blade.
Overall though, the Parker 99R is one of the best safety razors out there. It’s an excellent bang for your buck. Just make sure you are ready for something this aggressive.
Still not confident which safety razor you should buy? Then I recommend reading my comprehensive guide on the best safety razors. It has all the information you need to find the perfect safety razor in your budget.
