Just received my Merkur 38C Barber Pole razor

I received the box yesterday and waited until I had some down time to enjoy opening it. I purchased a used Merkur 38C from the SRP classifieds. No regrets. This razor looks fantastic for a razor of plus two years.

This is my first ever DE.

My first impression was that this razor is of very decent quality. The finish is beautiful regardless of being used. The previous owner obviously cared for this piece. Secondly, upon picking it up I felt its weight. This razor has a wonderful feel and weight. Personally I was hoping for this.

The seller was kind enough to include Gillette 7'O'Clock blades so that I may start off right.

It will be a few more days until I take the real plunge and give it a try on me ole' face. I want the experience to be done with a brush and proper shaving cream.

I will pick up a couple of vintage Gillettes just for nostalgia. (My dad used them.)

Anyone else have a Merkur 38C that would like to share their experience and what brush and shaving cream/soap you use?

Regards.

Paul,
I had a tough time deciding between a Merkur HD and an Edwin Jagger. I wound up choosing the Edwin Jagger DE89 (which was my first DE as well). I happen to like the Mitchell's Wool Fat shaving soap personally, and I would recommend it highly! The fellows over at Bullgoose shaving supplied me with 2 packs of Astra blades, which so far have been giving me some very nice shaves. Let us know what you think of the razor.

Hey Muguser,

I have seen the Edwin Jagger DE89 a few times and I see it's gotten really reviews by many. Once I get comfortable with my Merkur I may pick up a Jagger razor to use and also just to add to my collection.

I have been to BullGoose and Lee's Razors on the web and I like them both. They both carry great products and their service seems to be pretty even. It's really gonna be just a flip of the coin really. Maybe I'll just use both of them!

Thanks for the input on the Mitchell's Wool Fat soap although I seem to be leaning towards creams. I don't know why that is.

Regards.

Using creams to start with will be easier for you to learn to lather with. Mitchell's wool fat is not a good soap to start with although it is a good product, just notoriously a more difficult soap to lather. Did you order your brush yet?

The first DE I got was a Mercur Vision and I hated it. It was too big, too clumsy and hard to get to in certain areas. The next one I got was a 38C and it was a big improvement. When I got my fatboy that was a very big improvement over the 38C not that it was bad but overall outperformed it. These days I mainly use my feather Stainless or EJ Chatsworth which I think are at the top of the heap.

I use a Merkur HD when I use a DE.

I recently started using Cade shaving cream and have really enjoyed it.

I started out shaving with a brand new 38c heavy duty barber pole. What a great razor, although it is very heavy compared to cartridge razors. I use a simpsons best badger brush and proraso soap (green tub). I have recently started shaving with a straight, but I still love my DE. It may take you a while to get used to weight, but the hardest thing about actually shaving with the 38c for me was the angle. I found sometimes I would do a whole stroke and realize I didn't actually cut any hair because the angle wasn't aggressive enough.

Have fun, it's a real treat to shave with a proper razor :beer1:

I too recently bought a 38C but I haven't used it yet! I've got a 23C as well and really like it, but the 38C will get some use soon!

I have a 38c HD and I love it. I mostly use a cut-throat razor, but for those days when I'm a little bit short of time, or have had a big night before, I go to the HD. It shaves almost as good as the cut-throats and far better than any cartridge razor. You won't go wrong with one of those.


Mick