Frequently Bought Together
Product Description
The HD razor, extremely popular for its extra-thick handle, is otherwise identical to Merkurs original, internationally-revered, safety razor. The HD represents an elite standard of excellence, along with an even greater consideration for shavers with its reliable grip.
Product Details
Would you like to give feedback on images? |
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
30 of 30 people found the following review helpful
By JaySin
I must start out by saying I am one of those men with a beard that seems to be made of wire and skin that is incredibly sensitive - shaving has never been fun, easy or without issues since I was a teenager. The majority of my life has been spent shaving with those lovely cartridge razors that burn your skin and your wallet leaving you unhappy and with a dread of shaving; something that in today's world is nearly a must in all professional circles.
I decided to purchase this razor after 3 weeks of research into wet shaving and in all honesty with much reluctance to try something that held a razor capable of leaving you in need of stitches. In essence this was a "last resort" in an attempt to get that close shave that lasted more than half a day and didn't leave me feeling uncomfortable.
When my razor arrived, I inserted the Merkur blade that comes with the razor, lathered up and began to shave after taking a deep breath and resigning myself to potential nicks and scrapes...I was so wrong in thinking this way. The 34c provided a smooth, comfortable shave with no pulling of my beard, no unpleasant burn after each stroke and surprisingly it was even fun.
The 34c is brilliantly designed and the chrome finish and heft make it a pleasure to own and to use. The knurled handle offers plenty of grip, loading the razor is incredibly easy and it feels sturdy and stable in your hand.
My very first shave was closer than any I've ever had before and so much more pleasant. My wife is amazed and incredibly happy with my shaves now.
If this is your first DE razor you are on the right track. I must offer a bit of advice though: Do not think that the short handle is going to be a burden, this design actually makes it easier to use and to apply the proper technique. Let me repeat that last part, TECHNIQUE, is essential in wet shaving. There is no pivot-head which means you must be aware of and account for the organic curvature of your face and neck. A longer handled razor will only impede your learning, your technique and ultimately affect your shave!
Also, if you purchase this razor, start off with the Merkur blade but don't be afraid to try other blades. A multi-pack with an assortment of blades would be a good purchase as well so that you can try out other manufacturers and find the best fit for your skin and beard type. So far, for me, the Merkur blade is wonderful! Don't forget to get a good soap (I use Art of Shaving cream for ease of use) and a good badger brush to lather with. These are essentials to a good wet-shave! You won't be disappointed!
There is something to be said for shaving with a DE razor. Most of us today shave without a thought to how much of shaving is tradition as well as necessity. Our fathers and grandfathers and further back passed tradition on as well and many of them shaved with a DE or a straight edge but with the advent of the cartridge razor the tradition has nearly died out. Cartidges take out the need for learning, technique and patience. Shaving with a DE brings back this tradition among men and puts this time-honored right of passage back in our hands. Try a DE, you will get a wonderful shave and possible develop nostalgia for those simpler times when men were proud to be men and life involved reminders of what is meant to be a man in daily life.
Pros:
Excellent, sturdy design
Heft and weight offer a effortless shave
DE technique is easy to learn due to the design
Blades are cheap! What you pay for replacement cartridges would buy you almost a year supply of DE blades
Cleaning is incredibly easy
Razor won't clog with hair like cartridges do
Cons:
Shave time increased for me but only by 5 minutes
Shave prep is more extensive but worth it
Smaller handle does take time to get used to but as I mentioned it has a purpose
I decided to purchase this razor after 3 weeks of research into wet shaving and in all honesty with much reluctance to try something that held a razor capable of leaving you in need of stitches. In essence this was a "last resort" in an attempt to get that close shave that lasted more than half a day and didn't leave me feeling uncomfortable.
When my razor arrived, I inserted the Merkur blade that comes with the razor, lathered up and began to shave after taking a deep breath and resigning myself to potential nicks and scrapes...I was so wrong in thinking this way. The 34c provided a smooth, comfortable shave with no pulling of my beard, no unpleasant burn after each stroke and surprisingly it was even fun.
The 34c is brilliantly designed and the chrome finish and heft make it a pleasure to own and to use. The knurled handle offers plenty of grip, loading the razor is incredibly easy and it feels sturdy and stable in your hand.
My very first shave was closer than any I've ever had before and so much more pleasant. My wife is amazed and incredibly happy with my shaves now.
If this is your first DE razor you are on the right track. I must offer a bit of advice though: Do not think that the short handle is going to be a burden, this design actually makes it easier to use and to apply the proper technique. Let me repeat that last part, TECHNIQUE, is essential in wet shaving. There is no pivot-head which means you must be aware of and account for the organic curvature of your face and neck. A longer handled razor will only impede your learning, your technique and ultimately affect your shave!
Also, if you purchase this razor, start off with the Merkur blade but don't be afraid to try other blades. A multi-pack with an assortment of blades would be a good purchase as well so that you can try out other manufacturers and find the best fit for your skin and beard type. So far, for me, the Merkur blade is wonderful! Don't forget to get a good soap (I use Art of Shaving cream for ease of use) and a good badger brush to lather with. These are essentials to a good wet-shave! You won't be disappointed!
There is something to be said for shaving with a DE razor. Most of us today shave without a thought to how much of shaving is tradition as well as necessity. Our fathers and grandfathers and further back passed tradition on as well and many of them shaved with a DE or a straight edge but with the advent of the cartridge razor the tradition has nearly died out. Cartidges take out the need for learning, technique and patience. Shaving with a DE brings back this tradition among men and puts this time-honored right of passage back in our hands. Try a DE, you will get a wonderful shave and possible develop nostalgia for those simpler times when men were proud to be men and life involved reminders of what is meant to be a man in daily life.
Pros:
Excellent, sturdy design
Heft and weight offer a effortless shave
DE technique is easy to learn due to the design
Blades are cheap! What you pay for replacement cartridges would buy you almost a year supply of DE blades
Cleaning is incredibly easy
Razor won't clog with hair like cartridges do
Cons:
Shave time increased for me but only by 5 minutes
Shave prep is more extensive but worth it
Smaller handle does take time to get used to but as I mentioned it has a purpose
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
Long story short, buy this item.
I wanted to venture into the world of "double edge wet-shaving" and after many exhaustive hours on various shaving forums (such as Badger and Blade) it's clear that the best all around razor to use is the Merkur 34C, especially for newbies (its just as good in the hands of experts as well.) The quality is top notch of course and it works very well. To access the actual blade you turn the knurled knob at the end of handle which releases the top half of the head (the part without the grooves). I was caught off guard with the small over-all height of the unit, but I have come to understand that that is necessary for the technique, there are longer handled versions out there if you prefer. Lets be clear though, handle length is just a personal preference, it has no bearing on the head, quality of the shave or razor itself. The knurled body is very grippy and the razor has a nice heft to it. There isn't much left to say. Do you research on how you want to approach wet-shaving and then come back here to purchase this item.
I wanted to venture into the world of "double edge wet-shaving" and after many exhaustive hours on various shaving forums (such as Badger and Blade) it's clear that the best all around razor to use is the Merkur 34C, especially for newbies (its just as good in the hands of experts as well.) The quality is top notch of course and it works very well. To access the actual blade you turn the knurled knob at the end of handle which releases the top half of the head (the part without the grooves). I was caught off guard with the small over-all height of the unit, but I have come to understand that that is necessary for the technique, there are longer handled versions out there if you prefer. Lets be clear though, handle length is just a personal preference, it has no bearing on the head, quality of the shave or razor itself. The knurled body is very grippy and the razor has a nice heft to it. There isn't much left to say. Do you research on how you want to approach wet-shaving and then come back here to purchase this item.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
As feedback here and from other shaving forums have suggested the HD 34C is a great beginners razor and it was mine when I decided to switch from Mach3 to DE wet shaving. I also was recommended the Merkur Futur by a friend however since I was starting out I wanted a razor that was a little more forgiving.
The texture on the handle allows for a good grip and after 5 months of use it still looks new.
I started out using Derby blades with mine but after getting a sampler I am leaning toward Shark or Feather as my growth is generally pretty thick.
The texture on the handle allows for a good grip and after 5 months of use it still looks new.
I started out using Derby blades with mine but after getting a sampler I am leaning toward Shark or Feather as my growth is generally pretty thick.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great shave-first time user
This I have found to be a great razor and after getting used to it a great share. For those new to this like myself, do your research but can't beat this mone
Published 2 days ago by Andy B614
4.0 out of 5 stars
Nice razor.
Although i still have problems shaving with it. It feels a bit bulky and the short handle doesn't help either. Read more
Published 2 days ago by Aliraza
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful razor
Beautiful Razor! Not a very long handle, pretty short, but it has a great weight to it. Very high quality as with most merkur products. Very happy with the purchase!
Published 12 days ago by MovingAlong
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Perfect Shave - Last Razor You Will Need
I have been using the Merkur HD 34C for over 2 years now and it has been a great razor. It is the first double-edge safety razor that I have used and was very easy to learn with. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Leah Willis
5.0 out of 5 stars
New to safety razors
I am a beginner with safety razors and I read that this razor was a good place to start. I haven't used it for too long but so far it has worked exceptionally well. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Bobby-B
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome!
I got a great deal on this razor and it performs as expected! Close shaves and cuts through the hair with ease. I love this razor and would highly recommend it!
Published 2 months ago by Mason
5.0 out of 5 stars
Glad I made the switch.
A little smaller than I expected. Almost as big as a small plastic disposable razor. After a couple off shaves I got used to it. Read more
Published 2 months ago by DA
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great
It gives a good, consistant shave. Several brands of blades were used before I found one that worked well for me.
Published 2 months ago by Andy M.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Safety Razor
I bought this razor as a Christmas present for my boyfriend. I went to as many "beginner safety razor" websites and forums as I could stomach before I finally bit the... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Kallie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Heavy Duty is correct!!!
This razor will last a life time. I went from a 33c to a 34c. I'm a big man with big hands. The handle is thick and the razor is heavier than my first razor. Read more
Published 3 months ago by sjsuire
