The Merkur 33C Safety Razor Review

If you are new to wet shaving and are doing your research on the best safety razors, you're in the right place. Maybe you've heard a lot about Merkur or more specifically, the Merkur 33C Classic Safety Razor, and wondering what the hype is all about?

Right of the bat, Merkur Solingen is a subsidiary of DOVO Solingen, a German company that was founded in 1906. Merkur is one of its brands. (we all know the Germans are known for extremely high quality steel knives and razors) But Merkur is known worldwide as an industry leader in craftsmanship and for their technology.

A lot of their products stand out in their own right, in this piece, we’ll focus our sights specifically on the Merkur 33C.

Excellent Grip

Wet shaving is fun, but it can be dangerous, especially because the tools you’ll use are sharp, and your hands will be wet. Because of this, safety razor manufacturers have made a point of improving the grip on their products.

The Merkur 33c has an excellent grip courtesy of the patterned knurling on its handle. There is also a knob at the bottom where you can rest your pinky. It also has a 3-inch handle that doesn't compromise on grip, this will probably be fine for most men that don't have overly large hands.

Weight Distribution

Merkur 33c weighs about 2 ounces. At this weight, it’s one of the lightest safety razors available. But even more impressive is the weight distribution. We noticed that the razor balances on a spot close to the top of the handle. This is because a lot of its weight is in its head, and the handle is light.

Now, most experts advocate for heavier safety razors because they make it easier to nail the wet shaving technique and the pressure. However, the top heavyweight distribution on the Merkur 33c makes up for its light design and still delivers great pressure.

Above-average aggressiveness

The aggressiveness of a safety razor determines how much bite it is. The variation in aggressiveness is determined by blade exposure. Generally, beginners should go for mildly aggressive safety razors because they are more forgiving with mistakes during the learning curve. With such safety razors, even if your technique is wrong and your angle is off, you won't suffer from numerous nicks and cuts.

With that said, the Merkur 33c has average aggressiveness. Courtesy of its closed comb design. Experts rate it a 5/10 on their aggressiveness scale. This means that if your technique is good, you won't feel the aggressiveness. Also, the aggressiveness will depend on the brand and type of blade you use with it.

Three-piece Design

The Merkur 33c has a 3-piece design that is durable and easy to maintain. With this design, replacing the blade and cleaning the otherwise hard to reach spots in the razor is a breeze. All you need to do is unscrew the razor head from its handle, and you are good to go.

Once you pull the safety razor apart, cleaning all the soap gunk is easy. Consequently, by keeping your razor clean, your skin will experience reduced skin irritations that might arise from using a dirty razor.

Beautiful Chrome Finish

From first glance, you can tell as much, but we wanted to emphasize its beauty and the fact that it’s made from quality materials. The chrome finish makes the razor resistant to corrosion and hence makes it durable. It also gives it a sharp and beautiful look.

It comes with a Single Merkur Blade

The packaging may vary. However, the Merkur 33c typically comes with a single blade. When this blade gets dull, you can replace it with a pack of inexpensive yet sharp and high-quality blades. At first, you might have to try them out before settling on one that works best for you.

The Merkur blade is mild. Therefore, if you have a coarse and thick beard, it might not work for you.

Who is the Merkur 33c Ideal for?

This Classic razor is ideal for wet shaving individuals. It has a moderate aggressiveness, which makes it ideal for beginners and experts as well. And the fact that you can ‘vary’ the aggressiveness by applying a little more pressure and inserting a sharper blade is a huge plus.

Overall, the razor has a great design and build. With proper care, you will not have to purchase a new safety razor for a long-long time. Lastly, it has an affordable price point and may be a good starting razor for those new to wet shaving.