Stainless Steel Replacement for Merkur 34c

Howdy:

QUESTION:
What is a good stainless steel replacement/equivalent to the Merkur 34c DESR?
Similar aggressiveness, weight, feel, etc.

I have used DESRs for the last 10-15 years. I settled on a Merkur 34c with Astra Platinum blades for my everyday shave. (Feather blades for special occasions). I tried a few other DESRs, but I came back to the 34c.

My current 34c is exhibiting the same signs of failure my previous two 34c razors exhibited such as plating failure/corrosion of the innards. The threads get ate up and the head will no longer tighten to the shaft. I suppose the environment remains a bit too wet/humid as I shave in the shower (no mirror necessary).

I suspect a stainless steel DESR would last longer, given the way I use my DESR.

Thank you for your time.

[I did search before I wrote this post. The only pertinent thread suggested a Weber DESR. But Webers are no longer made.]

 

Personally, I am a huge fan of the Edwin Jagger 3one6 which I bought out the UK for ~$65USD shipped to Texas.

The Muhle Rocca is really good too and a touch more expensive and is a little more aggressive.

The Pearl razors out of India seem to be a good option for many at $40~$45 for the Blaze or Hammer. The Blaze is probably a good alternative with a similar performance but, I have not shaved with one personally.

 

Sorry, I have nothing to offer, but a question.

Safe to assume DESR is double edge safety razor?
I've only heard of them referred to as a DE or SE (single edge). First I've seen DESR.

 

From what I have learned, the Merkur 34c is a moderate, middle of the road razor, aggressiveness-wise. That seems right. Daily blade is an Astra, but if I want more aggressive, I move up to Feather. Seems a decent all-around platform. That lasts me about 4-5 years. My extra 34c I use for travel will likely last indefinitely.

Running List (with comments):
Edwin Jagger 3one6 (a bit more aggressive than MK34c, $140)
Muhle Rocca (more aggressive than EJ3one6, $120)

I could likely manage a more aggressive razor with modified technique, not sure I want to change from my go-to Astra blades. I am going to keep looking, as my 34c is still serviceable. Thus far, the EJ2one6 is in the lead.

DESR
Yes, Double Edged Safety Razor. Maybe the SR is superfluous and ought to be assumed.

 

The Merkur 34C and I never came to terms. In terms of being more or less "aggressive", there are many factors at play here that could affect things either way.

Regarding the prices you posted, you are way off of "street" pricing. Prices recently seem to have gone up a bit but, I would not consider your prices reasonable, for me at least.

Look around Connaught Shaving from the UK and Shaving.IE out of Ireland. I have purchased from both with good results and reasonably fast shipping for free to the USA, Texas specifically.

 

If you are not in a hurry to buy a new razor, I would wait for a holiday sale and get an Edwin Jagger 3one6 as a pretty "safe" choice.

Personally, I would say it is not as aggressive as I remember my Merkur experience but, that was a good while back in time. For people saying it is more aggressive, what blade were they using and what was their experience level, whisker toughness, and skin type?

My EJ 3one6 needs a reasonable amount of attention, like most safety razors, to get a good shave. In terms of nicking me, it will do that if I am careless or distracted however, when I pay reasonable attention to my shave, there is no blood and rarely any sting from the Witch Hazel.

The more I use my Muhle Rocca, the more I like it. It is more likely to nick me if I am careless or distracted though so, I would still rate it a bit more aggressive than the EJ 3one6.

That said, neither razor is difficult for me to use with my whiskers, skin tone, and normal shave preparation. It is not Schick Injector easy but, they both shave closer and don't leave me with a 5 O'clock shadow late in the day either!

 

Running List (with comments):
Edwin Jagger 3one6 (a bit more aggressive than MK34c, maybe $78-$136-$140)

https://l7market.com/collections/ed...rooved-anodised-green-1x-pack-of-feather-razo
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SSFMV6V/?tag=thshde-20
https://www.edwinjagger.co.uk/en_us/edwin-jagger-3one6-stainless-steel-knurled-de-safety-razor.html ($115 shipped w/o tax)
https://connaughtshaving.com/dessknbl.html (75gbp or 62.50gbp $93 or $78)​

Muhle Rocca (more aggressive than EJ3one6, $120-$121)

https://muhleshaving.com/collection.../rocca-pure-matt-stainless-steel-safety-razor
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077TSRCNZ/?tag=thshde-20​

Rockwell 6S (modular, 6 levels, $119)

https://getrockwell.com/products/rockwell-6s
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0778FYQR6/?tag=thshde-20​

Came across the Rockwell 6S, which ought to do the trick, though I hear of failures/breakages of the 6C & 6S.

Not to get political, but prices for many items have gone apey since before The Covidiocy and subsequent changes in political leadership. Cannaughtshaving.com sells the EJ3one6 for $62.50gbp/$78, a bit less than found stateside.

 

EJ 3one6 is a great choice. It offers greater efficiency over the 34C.

Another stainless steel razor that is excellent and budget-friendly to consider is the RazoRock Lupo. I like the .95, and do not feel much difference with the .72.

 

https://connaughtshaving.com/dessknbl.html
62.50£ or ~$77.61

https://www.shaving.ie/muhle-rocca-r94-stainless-steel-razor/
$78.33

 

A bit of a broken record from me and no slight meant or intended but, I question your post above a bit.

Your shopping options and mine are a lot different and the prices reflect that. If you want to pay almost twice what something costs from Amazon, that is on you.

I have bought from both of the companies I have listed without issue. Yes, prices are a little higher today than what I paid but, there is still $40 or more price difference. Whether you get charged USA sales tax is a separate issue that I will leave on the table.

 

If you insist on an Amazon purchase, the Pearl Blaze at $40 is an easy recommendation. The Hammer is likely a bit more aggressive than you want.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJB3PC6Q/?tag=thshde-20

Both are all stainless steel with a lot of great positive comments on shave forums. B&B is pretty active on these razors right now.

 

The Razorock Lupo is one I would like to try someday. However, it seems to duplicate razors I already own.

The price difference between it and something like my EJ 3one6 is not enough for me to be swayed in either direction on that alone either.

 

One of my all time favourite razors is the GreenCult 2.0 with either the #2 or the #3 level base, a superb razor. I have the #3 which is great...buts lots of people really like the #2.

 

I think the Rockwell 6S is your best bet. Why? Well...

You sound like you are unlike most of us and don't want to buy razor after razor. The 6S will give you a range of aggressiveness, and one of the plates should shave similarly to the 34c. Probably the #2 or #3 plate, off the top of my head. With Father's Day coming up, I wouldn't be suprised if Rockwell has a nice sale on the 6s.

I bought my 6S about 2 years ago, and should have stopped there. But I didn't...

 

That's about right. I tried three or four DE and settled on the Merkur 34c over ten years ago. And Astra platinum blades. They work for me, both face & head. Heck, that combo works for me, my wife, my son, and my daughter. Well, my daughter prefers Feather blades and I will buy them for her. I prefer the DE shave vs cartridges and I like not spending $$$ on cartridges. I am not looking for a ritual or seeking any meaning in my shave. And while 5 years of use from a $45 34c is good service, if I can buy a bit better for longer service, I incline to make that happen. Buy once, cry once, and all that.

That sounds promising. I am still looking around, but I am inclined toward the 6S

 

My first idea was to recommend to replace the 34c with another 34c.
I have tried many razors in the last years , and many in the 34c area concerning aggressiveness.
But...

The Rockwell 6s is a good choice. I like it a lot. It's one of the razors that will never leave me.

Maybe a Mühle R89, which is similar to the Merkur too, as a benefit the threading is made of brass. That is a cheap and foolproof option (same head as Edwin Jagger de89)

If you are on the mild side the Giesen und Forsthoff Timor in the cc variant is. Absolutely great. I'd recommend to buy the head only (20€) and pair it with a razorock handle of your choice.
That would be my preferred recommendation though it's not well known, not being discussed often but.. Great and smooth.

These are 3 razors I owe and use and can compare them to the Merkur which I have in the 34g variant from my own experiences.


I also have the Flexi, which is a fine razor too, but shaves completely different from the others as the head design is based on vintage gibbs razors.

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There's not a direct 34C equivalent in brass or stainless steel.

The Edwin Jagger DE89/Mühle R89 are somewhat close in shave feel and performance (to me, anyway). They are 3 piece so you can find a handle you like and replacement heads aren't too expensive.

For a step up in brass: The Pearl Blaze. It does have a very long handle, though, so you might want to pair it with a shorter handle. I really like the Blaze.

In stainless steel, a lot of people like the Razorock Game Changer and Lupo. I haven't tried the GC but the Lupo is quite good. It's not too much like the 34C, though.

 

Stainless, my vote goes for the Rockwell S6.

Solid brass would be a Karve.

 

I would highly suggest the Razo Rock Game Changer .68 and pick up also the .72 plate to be in the ballpark of a Merker 34C but the Game Changer will be more efficient. One of these two plates should satisfy. The Game Changer is a great value in a 316 S/S razor and a great shavers. Absolutely one of my favorite razors at a great price.

I started out with a Merker 34C it’s a great razor but you have to take it apart and keep it clean and dry lightly oil the threads after every shave and do not over tighten it or smack it on the sink. Also do not leave a blade in it. My 34C is still like new and I have had it and used it for years now. I used it regularly for the first 4 to 5 years I owned it.

Take a hard look at the RR GC .68 along with the .72 plate if you like the Merker 34C. The GC will be more efficient and smoother. I also use Astra SP blades in the GC and find them to be great but they seam to work well in just about any razor.

Happy Shaves,
Bill G

 

The Weber Razor is a slightly more aggressive 316L stainless steel almost copy of the Merkur SB head.
They went out of production a few years ago, but there are a lot of them floating around. Good luck