Limited number of Merkur 34C available!
OK, we’ve just taken stock of a limited number of Merkur 34C but we’re still expecting a shortage after these have gone, so snap them up whilst they’re here!
Blade alignment on a double edged razor
1. Chrome Plating
The chrome plating is typically not the same thickness all over the razor due to the curving surfaces, so this might lead to slight differences in the blade gap on one side of the razor head versus the other.
2. Razor blade cutout tolerances
You also have to factor in the tolerances built into where the cutouts of the razor blade sit (see picture below). If you place a razor blade on to the head and see how much wriggle room there is you’ll see that it is quite a feat for it to naturally rest perfectly aligned.
Razor Blade cutouts
3. Hand assembled tolerances
Double edged razors are assembled by hand so there will always be tolerances that do not influence the function of the razor, nor its performance.
Is this a problem?
No. These razors have been hand built for many years using the same casts so these tolerances have always been there. Some people have the expectation that it should be the same as the mass made plastic Gillettes you find in supermarkets, which are of course, manufactured using precision machinery. Although the function is the same, they can’t really be compared because the production methods are different. As an analogy, think about the individually assembled coachbuilt cars versus the typical robot built modern cars. Both drive perfectly well but the coachbuilt cars will have more production “quirks”!
On a functional level it does not present a problem when shaving as the blade never actually sits perfectly square onto the face as the skin is not flat and unyielding.
So, I know its not a problem but even so I’d like to straighten it, what should I do?
Simply take the time to load and straighten the blade before you clamp it down.
Take this razor as an example. As you can see it appears not to sit flush when I let the blade rest in it’s default position. However, after tweaking the razor blade before I clamp it down, I am able to get it as straight as it can be.
Before: Uneven razor blade when allowed to rest naturally
After: Blade now straight after a bit of attention before blade clamped down
Merkur 34C not available till 2010!
Oh dear, just coming up to our busiest season and the Shack’s favourite, the Merkur 34C, is out of stock and unavailable till 2010 due to manufacturing problems at Merkur! With this in mind we’ve decided to reduce it’s longer handled variant, the Merkur 38C, down to £27.99 as a viable alternative. Don’t forget that they both use the same head so the real difference is in the handle length.
Shavettes…the low maintenance option!
We’ve just taken stock of our eagerly anticipated Shaving Shack branded shavettes, available in black and white here:
You may have experienced these in barber shops when you’ve gone to get your haircut, as they are often used to finish off the back of the neck. These are however, a truly low cost and low maintenance alternative to straight razor shaving.
Imagine being able to shave as close as a straight razor shave, using exactly the same technique, yet without the stropping and the honing (sharpening) involved!
We have many customers who use these as their daily shaver having made the jump from DE shaving to straight razor shaving. It’s a cheap way to learn the straight razor shaving technique as detailed in our FAQ section here:
How to use a Straight/Cut-Throat Razor (remembering that you won’t need to strop or hone!)
They also make an inexpensive and cool gift for dads and sons!
Newbies…always start with Taylor of Old Bond Street shaving cream!
One of the common newbie questions I get asked is which cream to try first.
I would always recommend any of the Taylor of Old Bond St shaving creams as I feel they offer the best mix of quality/value so consequently are an excellent starting point. I would start by choosing a scent you think you might like so if, like me, you have a penchant for Almond slices, then the Almond scent may be a safe scent to begin with. My personal favourite is Avocado, not because it smells of Avocado (it doesn’t!) but because the unique scent is refreshingly different from the others and I quite like the Guacamole-esque appearance! There is no discernible difference between the lather that the different scents produce, they’ll all work the same just in case you were wondering!
To adjust or not adjust….the best double edge razor for a newbie
I frequently get asked this and often the decision is between a fixed head Merkur 34C (and it’s long handled version, the Merkur 38C) and the adjustable headed Merkur Futur.
Most fixed head razors we sell will fit the bill 99% of the time. However:
- if you have particularly heavy growth or
- are the tinkering kind who likes to experiment with different blade gaps or
- simply like futuristic designs…
then the Futur could be the one to go for.
To complicate matters, if you like the Futur, chances are you will like it’s bigger brother, the Vision 2000. The Vision is a bit heavier, bigger and can dial a wider blade gap than the Futur - the ultimate safety razor for all occasions! It also has a claim to fame in that it made an appearance in an episode of the 2004 series of Battlestar Galactica, a great little fact to accompany the perfect gift for a sci fi fan!
Muhle razors in stock
I often cite Merkur as being the best in terms of the quality and finishing of their razors. However, after handling our latest Muhle Pinsel razors I can honestly say these beautifully finished DE razors are as good (I have a particular penchant for the Muhle R89!). As well as being beautifully crafted they are, by comparison, quite light which sometimes benefits newbies who are used to the lightweight Mach 3s they’ve binned!
Omega back in stock
We are delighted to have Omega back in stock, not only the shaving cream but the highly rated Professional series boar bristle brushes!
As a lot of DE shavers are aware, Omega are a worthy alternative to the popular Proraso shaving cream -both made in Italy and both create a fantastic eucalyptus scented lather. The significant difference is the price, £3.95 for a 147g tub of Omega vs £5.50 for 150ml tub of Proraso, and you’d be hard pressed to find a better introduction to quality shaving cream using a brush with the Omega Shaving Cream and Bristle Brush set for only £7.99!
Welcome to the new Shaving Shack blog!
Hello and welcome to our new blog designed to keep you informed of developments at the Shack.
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