Merkur 23C - Long-Handle Closed Comb Double Edge Safety Razor

Simple, solid, elegant. Love Merkur razors. This seems to be something like a flagship design. A classic in my book.

The razors build quality is excellent. The save. Superb. 5 stars all the way.

I learned to shave with an old Gillette butterfly DE razor. Like a lot of my age group the multi-blade cartridge razors caught my eye and I used them until they got prohibitively expensive. I decided to purchase a really good DE razor. I purchased the top-end, adjustable Merkur razor. At the time, it cost over $200! That turned out to be a huge mistake. The razor literally began to disintegrate in my hands with each use. The adjustment mechanism stopped working in a few months. I then purchased a much less expensive Butterfly razor from Australia. It lasted about 8 years. It no longer holds the blade steady. Which brings us to now. I decided to give Merkur another try. After looking through the InterWeb reviews I decided on the Merkur 23C. It gets excellent reviews at a price point I can live with. At this point, I'd like to mention, I take umbrage with those reviewers calling this a "beginners" razor. I'm 68 years old and don't consider myself a 'beginner'. I will admit to having a course beard and sensitive skin. Which may be the perfect combination? I've only had the razor for a couple of days, but I'm getting a smooth, comfortable shave using the enclosed Merkur blade. My usual routine is to shower, pre-heat my brush and razor in a shaving mug and hot water. I use a cheep shaving cream I get at my grocery store. I also purchased 100 Astra blades. I try to KISS. I'm no expert, I don't have multiple high-end razor I rotate through, just one razor at a time until I need another. In conclusion, I find the Merkur 23C an excellent razor. How it will hold up with its chrome plated Pot metal head and brass handle, IDK? But, if it lasts another 7 - 8 years, I'll be happy. I'd love to get a S.S. razor, but they're out of my price range. I can buy 3 Merkur 23C for the price of a decent S.S. razor. JMHO, YMMV. Happy shaving.

I find this model to be typical of my other Merkur as it must have the same head as other models . Very mild and comfortable , excellent for sensitive skin types . I purchased this model for my wife thinking she would prefer a longer handle for her legs , she did not . I purchased the brass ball end universal razor handle from Razor Emporium and found it to make a perfect match for this head as it is shorter and heavier .
I would recommend this razor as it comes to anyone

I switched from cartridge razors, which always cut up my neck like a bunch of drunken ninjas. This 23C long handle razor made the switch to a DE safety razor easy and natural. No more neck nicks.

I continue to be very pleased with this razor. The 3 piece, low profile head and long handle are ideal, making it very easy and pleasant to handle. I've been using Van der Hagen mug soap because I already had it on hand, and like how it's slick and smooth to glide. I tried some of my old Barbasol in a can just to compare, and it was ok but no slickness to it, so no more of that. I used a Personna blade for 7 shaves and it was nice and just barely starting to drag. I could have done more, but was anxious to try a Derby extra-it's even nicer, even after 4 shaves, and want to take it to the max and see how many shaves I can get with it. This razor is such an adventure and nice to use, that there's no need to try anything else.

Just shaved for the first time with a Merkur 23c long handle and within the first minute two things crossed my mind. "Now this is a real razor" and "Where has this thing been all my life." Over the last 50 years I've used two short handled butterfly heads and a bunch of cartridge heads, and I did get to like the long metal handle of a Gillette Atra. So, I chose the Merkur 23c long handle and glad I did. It's so much easier and pleasant to control, and you can flip to the other side of the head without any clumsy feeling. The lower profile of the head is a lot nicer to use compared to the bulky head of a butterfly, especially shaving under the nose. Glides over the skin very smoothly and comfortably and not a single nick. For the first time, shaving is now a pleasant experience, and not a chore. I can't think of any reason to try anything else. Thanks to Matt for the help.

The longer handle is a big plus. Gives you much better control. Only gave it 4 stars because I like my Gillette 1961 Fatboy better.