Merkur is one of the leading manufacturers of safety razors and have been making razors and other shaving related items since 1896. Needless to say, companies don’t survive for over a century if they are not making good products that consumers like.
Today we are going to take a look at the Merkur 34c. It is commonly referred to as the Merkur “Heavy Duty” and I’ve also seen it marketed as the “Merkur Classic 2-Piece Double Edge Safety Razor”.
The Merkur 34c is one of Merkur’s 5 most popular safety razors. And why is it so popular? Because it has many of the classic Merkur design elements. Excellent weight distribution. Great grip on handle. Good level of aggressiveness. Overall, just a simple yet highly effective and durable safety razor.
Let’s dig in to the details and see if the Merkur 34c is the best safety razor for you.
Pros
- Moderate aggressiveness
- Multiple handle options available
- 2-piece design in incredibly durable
- High-quality materials and manufacturing
- Excellent grip
- Great weight distribution, easy to hold and handle
Cons
- Handle might not be long enough for men with large hands
Product Overview & Specs
- Weighs 77 grams (2.7 ounces)
- 3.3 inches long
- Handle is roughly 3.0 inches long
- Diameter of handle is close to 0.5 inches thick
- 2-piece safety razor
Key Features of the Merkur 34C
Short(er), Thicker Handle
You will often see the Merkur 34c described as having a short handle. I don’t agree with that description.
No, it isn’t a long handle. But at 3.3 inches, this safety razor is well above average in size.
I think the handle looks deceptively “short” because it is so thick. It’s definitely a thicker handle. Why? Because the 2-piece design utilized the inside of handle for its frame.
I think the Merkur 34c is actually a really good size for most wet shavers. If you have really large hands and have a tough time handling smaller safety razors, you will probably want something a little larger. But if you have small to average sized hands, I think this safety razor is really comfortable to hold.
Average Weight And Slightly Handle Heavy
If you have read any of my other reviews, you probably know that I really like heavier safety razors. They feel more solid, but more importantly they typically force you to use better form with shaving. Heavier safety razors usually are heavier in the razorhead and that lets the weight of the razorhead do the work. You won’t be as susceptible to pushing down with the razor.
For me, the Merkur 34c is an adequate weight. I’d prefer if it was slightly heavier. But it does feel heavier than it actually weighs. The 2-piece design makes the handle a little heavier than you normally find. But for some reason, the weight distribution is still really good. The overall size and weight make it feel really sturdy and durable.
Exceptional Grip
Like most Merkur safety razors, the 34c has exceptional grip on the handle. It has a gritty but still comfortable texture.
It has cross-sectional knurling and the shape of the knurling is tiny little diamonds. This knurling makes it easy to hold even if your hands get wet, soapy and slick.
Additionally, there are horizontal grooves on the knob at the bottom of the handle for even more grip. No matter how you hold this safety razor, it’s a very comfortable and confident grip.
Moderate Aggressiveness
The Merkur 34c is a moderately aggressive safety razor. I rate is as a 4/10, just like the Edwin Jagger DE89.
I think this level of aggressiveness is right in the sweet spot for most wet shavers. It allows you to have ultimate control. You can pick a mild blade like a Shark or Merkur and get a really smooth,comfortable shave. Or you can pick a sharp blade like a Feather and make it even more aggressive for a baby butt smooth finish.
This moderate level of aggressiveness is really great for beginners. Beginners should be careful not to use a razor that is too mild because it won’t efficiently shave your facial hair.
2-piece Design Is Most Durable
I love the 2-piece design of the 34c. It’s easy to take the top of the razorhead off, just turn the knob at the bottom and that will unscrew the top.
The main reason I like the 2-piece design is because it is so durable. Butterfly-open razors can sometimes have the hinges wear out or break. And with 3-piece razors the threading can deteriorate due to user over-tightening.
How quick and easy blade replacement isn’t a big factor for me because pretty much all safety razors are really easy to get a new blade in. What’s important to me is that it is durable. And the design of the 2-piece Merkur 34c is one of the most durable out there.
Who Do We Recommend The Merkur 34C For?
The Merkur 34c heavy duty is one of my favorite safety razors. It has a masculine, old school design but it outperforms any “modern” cartridge razor. I highly recommend the Merkur 34c for any man that wants a moderately aggressive safety razor. The 34c is incredibly well made and durable and you won’t be disappointed in the quality.
This is a really good option for beginners. It’s the perfect amount of aggressiveness for beginners to learn proper technique with. It’s aggressive enough so that it will deliver a close, comfortable and smooth shave, but it’s not going to punish you for every little mistake.
This is not just a “beginner” safety razor though. Many experienced wet shavers use this as their everyday safety razor. If you have really coarse or thick facial hair, you may want something a little more aggressive.
What Are Some Other Safety Razors To Consider?
Merkur 33c
Merkur’s 33c is just a classic safety razor. That’s probably why they call it the Merkur “Classic”...
It has a very similar design to the 34c. It’s pretty much that same length but does weigh a little bit less. Excellent weight distribution and balance point though.
Probably thjust biggest difference is that it’s a 3-piece design. I personally think the 2-piece design like the 34c is a little more durable but the 33c is very durable too.
Merkur's 33c is slightly more aggressive than the 34c but it is still very versatile and can be used by a wide range of wet shavers. But if you want something just slightly more aggressive, the 33c is an excellent option.
Merkur Futur
Merkur Futur is one of the coolest safety razors in my opinion. Its sleek, modern design is very unique.
It doesn’t just look nice though, it also performs really well. I think the biggest drawback of the Futur is that there’s no knurling or grip on the handle, but I’ve never had a problem with it slipping in my hand.
One cool feature of the Merkur Futur is that it is an adjustable safety razor. That means you can adjust the blade gap to get the desired amount of aggressiveness. If you want some more information, check-out our full review of the Merkur Futur.
Overall though, the Futur is just a really cool, modern looking razor that provides an excellent shave.
Edwin Jagger DE89
The Edwin Jagger DE89 is one of the most popular safety razors on the market. I know lots of wet shavers that bought this as their first razor and it’s still their favorite.
This was actually my first safety razor but I can’t even remember why I picked it at the time. Probably just because it had so many reviews and was highly regarded by lots of wet shavers.
Overall, the Edwin Jagger DE89 provides a very similar shave to the Merkur 34c. The DE89 is a little lighter and a little longer (which I prefer) but the grip isn’t as good as the Merkur 34c because it doesn’t have any knurling. If you’re looking for a simple yet dependable and highly regarded safety razor, this is one of the best.
Still not sure which safety razor you want to invest in buying? Then go read my comprehensive guide on the best safety razors available right now. It should have all the information you need to find the best safety razor for your needs in your budget.
